Pro Bono Publishing - Publication for the Public Good
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ Deputy General Secretary has personally attacked the author, a long-standing NUJ/IFJ member who writes for the public good, by maliciously disseminating libel to officials and members of the international trade union movement. Her scurrilous slagging alone provides grounds for impeachment.
Lawyers frequently use the Latin term "pro bono publico" (or in the vernacular "pro bono") which means "for the public good". They represent needy litigants without a retainer or fees and provide counsel to individuals or groups by filing applications or petitions with government on behalf of clients or acting for defendants in criminal cases. Judges frequently order the party losing the case to compensate pro bono counsel which, in principle, law firms recycle to help other impecunious litigants.
While some lawyers use pro bono services for disingenuous ends and political expedience, others have integrity and genuinely work for the public good. Ethical lawyers take instructions from indigent clients with deserving cases without payment. However, both lawyers and clients frequently ignore the difference between taking instructions and entering into a retainer. The former focuses on whether or not a solicitor can act, the latter on the terms of retainment.
Thousands of retired people in a variety of professions also donate voluntary time and resources to the needy although they do not receive compensation or the same publicity as lawyers. Seldom do courts grant them remuneration for their services and they rely upon charity for their operating expenses.
Journalists use a lifetime of experience to reveal crimes that prejudice elderly or vulnerable people who cannot express or defend themselves. They provide a voice for people who have no voice by performing similar investigative work to that of lawyers; however, lawyers test cases in the courts while journalists publish their findings. Both lawyers and journalists must comply with ethical and legal codes of conduct formulated by members of their professional associations.
To avoid any conflict of interest, pro bono journalists receive no fees and donate court awards of damages to charitable foundations. Acting for the public good should neither diminish their standing as journalists nor should they suffer harassment and derogation inflicted by National Union of Journalists (NUJ) officials.
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© Copyright 2010 by Paul Trummel |
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