Equity

Equity is against all censorship
attempts to limit opposition are not supported

The 2006 Annual Representative Conference opened with a long, involved and at time heated debate on censorship. On offer were two motions, one of which called for Equity to oppose all forms of censorship, the second of which said Equity should not support any member charged under race relations legislation.

Equity Vice President Jean Rogers introduced the debate by quoting Dr Laurence J Peters who in 1977 said: “A censor is someone who knows more than he thinks you should know.” Jean reminded representatives of the violent protests outside the Birmingham Rep’s production of Behtzi which closed the production, and a campaign against the broadcast of Jerry Springer — The Opera which had the indirect effect of postponing the tour of the show, which remains subject to protest.

Council member Ian Barritt said that the motion which called for Equity not to support any artist prosecuted for inciting racism required the union to be able to look inside an artist’s head to be able to know their intention. Something which the union clearly could not do, he said.

But Yvonne Bonnamy of the North and East London Branch argued that it was right for the union to support limitations on freedom of artistic expression when it came to material which incited racial hatred and violence and Frances Rifkin of the Small Scale Theatre Committee added that in a democratic society it was not censorship to oppose racial harassment.

Conference voted in favour of the Council’s motion opposing all forms of censorship and defending the right of professional performers to portray all aspects of life, without limitation.

In a second long debate on the first day of the conference, the recent refurbishment of the union’s London headquarters was discussed. Nigel Harris of the Midlands Area Committee said that in his view the Equity Council had not had sufficient information to ensure that they were making the right decision. “Some Councillors were concerned about increases in costs and asked to see the tender documents. They were thwarted in this.” He called for a proper investigation into whether things were done properly. “It is essential that there is no cover-up.” Council members Heather French and Frances Cuka catalogued their attempts to get appropriate documentation.

But David Cockayne assured the conference that the information he and other Councillors had been given was both reasonable and sufficient. “My experience of this project was similar to my experiences on other governing bodies,” he said. Florence Sparham, also a member of the Equity Council, complained about the amount of time taken up on the Council discussing this matter and the accusations levelled at Council members. “We are being accused of either being duped or of being involved in a cover-up. But it was essential work that had to be done and I acted in good faith.” The conference did not support calls for an independent enquiry.

Other policy motions carried by the conference were:
• The union will lobby for a change in the law to allow theatres to screen out mobile phone signals.
• Equity will negotiate a code of practice for auditions, castings and interviews.
• Equity will attempt to ensure it has adequate representation on the National Council for Drama Training.
• Equity will express serious concerns about changes to the constitution of the Scottish TUC which weakens the influence of smaller unions.
• Equity will make itself carbon neutral as soon as possible.
• Equity will publish a guide to child protection issues.
• The union will campaign to strengthen existing rules in privacy.