Author: Bernie

NewsGuild plans member surveys

By Martha Waggoner, NewsGuild International Chairperson

 

Oct. 4, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA wants to know what you think.

To find out, the union will survey members next year on several issues, including communications, resource allocation and their own level of engagement with the union. The online surveys should begin early next year. Continue reading “NewsGuild plans member surveys”

NewsGuild and NABET of CWA decry violence against journalists

Feb. 12, 2019 – Once again, we at The NewsGuild-CWA and NABET find ourselves decrying violence at a rally held by President Trump and at which he lied about the media in order to incite the crowd. We have run out of words to describe the depravity and danger of his verbal attacks on journalists.  Continue reading “NewsGuild and NABET of CWA decry violence against journalists”

Contested race emerges in election of TNG-CWA president

Feb. 2, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA will have a contested election for President this year, after delegates nominated both current President Bernie Lunzer and Los Angeles Times journalist Jon Schleuss as candidates Saturday, Jan. 26, at TNG’s 80th Sector Conference. Continue reading “Contested race emerges in election of TNG-CWA president”

NewsGuild statement on Digital First Media’s proposal to purchase Gannett

The destruction of local newspapers by hedge funds and private equity firms is an underreported national crisis for our democracy, so today’s announced proposal by Digital First Media to purchase Gannett is of the greatest concern. The NewsGuild opposes any such purchase by DFM. Continue reading “NewsGuild statement on Digital First Media’s proposal to purchase Gannett”

NewsGuild-CWA Sector Conference January 25-28

The NewsGuild Sector of CWA will hold it’s biannual Sector Conference in Orlando, Florida next month. The meeting is also where nominations take place for all Guild-wide officers. The International Chair Person, President and Executive Vice-President positions will take nominations along with the six regional Vice-Presidents. The conference narrows candidates for any position down to two candidates if necessary. After that, every Guild member can cast a ballot if there is a contest for a position. Anyone within a geographic region gets to vote for their VP when there is a contest. In addition to this primary piece of business Organizing is going to be the central focus of discussion. The NewsGuild has reason to celebrate its organizing victories along with the large number of first contracts that have been gained in the last year. Expanding on organizing and building better networks will be critical going forward. In the end it is about maintaining a strong, caring community for media workers. 

IMAGE: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES

Calling on you to take action to protect journalists and a free press

IMAGE: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES
IMAGE: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES

Nov. 9, 2018 – A reporter suspended from White House press briefings because he asks tough questions. A journalist murdered in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey. Pipe bombs sent to more than a dozen targets, including journalists and other workers at CNN. As these aggressive acts against the press continue in the United States and abroad, the leader of the free world blames the media.
We at The NewsGuild-CWA – a union of media workers in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada – are horrified by the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi Arabian consulate and the pipe bombs sent to CNN. We also denounce the exclusion of CNN’s Jim Acosta from White House news conferences and the administration’s use of a doctored video to justify that decision. Continue reading “Calling on you to take action to protect journalists and a free press”

Saudis acknowledge death of Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia consulate

From the Rachel Maddow Show last night: Eric Swalwell was interviewed by Joy Reid on the murder of Khashoggi at Saudia Arabia consulate in Istanbul. 

We now know that the White House cancelled a congressional meeting that was planned to share American intelligence with Congress earlier this week. Swalwell is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Swalwell called on the Saudis to return Khashoggi’s remains to his family and fiancé. He said Congress deserves more information. He said that the FBI should conduct an investigation using its legal attachés in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He said there should also be a suspension of arms sales to the Saudis until this is resolved. 

Joy Reid pointed out that there are people in Washington on the right that our smearing Khashoggi and Swalwell pointed out that it may originate with the White House. (Personal note – I have seen attacks on the left questioning Khashoggi’s past as well.) 

Swalwell reminded viewers that President Trump had praised his congressional colleague Representative Richard Gianforte for “body slamming” a Guardian Reporter and Guild member last year. He pleaded guilty to assault. He reminded Joy that he introduced the Journalist Protection Act earlier this year to protect reporters and that others in congress are seeking ways to protect journalists. (The NewsGuild and CWA supports the Journalist Protection Act.) 

Meanwhile the Saudis continue to say that the killing of Khashoggi was an accident even though a team of 15 Saudis had arrived in Turkey prior to Khashoggi arriving at the consulate. They had a “forensics expert” among them who came with a bone saw. Intelligence chatter shows that Khashoggi was lured to the consulate where the Saudis had planned to “detain” him. 

Journalists continue to be harmed or threatened worldwide with impunity, but this case shows a direct state-sponsored murder of a reporter.