Blog
Nov. 20, 2017 – Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) introduced a bipartisan federal shield law on Nov. 14 that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources or documents in most cases. Continue reading “Federal Shield Law Introduced in House”
Nov. 17, 2017 – A federal judge issued a stinging rebuke to the St. Louis Police Department on Nov. 15 for aggressive tactics officers used during a wave of protests in September and October. The judge barred officers from declaring protests “unlawful” unless there is an imminent threat of violence, and issued restrictions on the use of pepper spray and other chemical agents on nonviolent protesters.
NewsGuild President Bernie called the ruling “an important, positive development in protecting civil liberties,” but insisted that the union would continue to seek additional legal protections for journalists, who were among those arrested and manhandled during the protests. Continue reading “Federal Judge Rejects St. Louis Police Tactics”
Nov. 16, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission voted to eliminate longstanding rules governing media ownership – rules that are intended to protect local news coverage and guarantee a diversity of voices. As a result, we will face a drastic loss of local news coverage – and jobs – as media companies consolidate. Continue reading “Guild: We Must Continue the Fight for Local News”
Continue reading “CWA: Working Families Will Pay for Tax Cuts for Corporations and the 1 Percent”
Close to 100 Washington Post employees and their supporters picketed outside the paper’s office on Nov. 14 to protest management’s paltry bargaining proposals and to demand a fair contract.
“We want Jeff Bezos to be a leader and to understand that investing in the people at the Post is investing in the future of the Post,” said Robert Struckman, president of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post, is estimated to be worth more than $81 billion and is ranked among the world’s richest people. Continue reading “Washington Post Workers Demand a Fair Contract”
Nov. 15, 2017 – The NewsGuild joined NABET and CWA to submit more than 3,900 signatures on a petition opposing the FCC’s plan to eliminate longstanding rules governing media ownership – rules that are intended to protect local news coverage and guarantee a diversity of voices. Continue reading “Guild, NABET, CWA Tell FCC: Don’t Crush Local News”
Nov. 13, 2017 – Journalists of DNAinfo and Gothamist negotiated a “shutdown agreement” with management on Nov. 13, following the despicable decision by billionaire owner Joe Ricketts to close the publications one week after workers voted to unionize. Continue reading “DNAinfo, Gothamist Workers Reach ‘Shutdown Agreement’”
Nov. 7, 2017 – The NewsGuild-CWA and NABET-CWA are urging members and supporters to sign a petition opposing plans by the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate longstanding rules governing media ownership – rules that are intended to protect local news coverage and guarantee a diversity of voices.
“If the rules are abolished, residents would face a drastic loss of local news coverage – and jobs – as media companies consolidate,” said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. Continue reading “Guild, NABET: Don’t Let the FCC Crush Local News”
Nov. 6, 2017 – NewsGuild members at papers owned by Digital First Media (DFM) expanded a coordinated campaign in recent weeks by exposing the devastating effect that Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund that controls DFM, has had on local news coverage and journalists’ jobs.
Workers at DFM’s 12 unionized papers recently unleashed two separate two-day Twitter storms to call attention to the corrosive effect of Alden’s management of the papers: Layoffs at twice the industry average. Gutting the papers’ assets by selling buildings and equipment. Entire communities left without news coverage. Continue reading “DFM Workers Expand Coordinated Campaign”
Nov. 3, 2017 – Statement by NewsGuild-CWA President Bernie Lunzer on the Closure of Gothamist and DNAInfo:
Word that billionaire owner Joe Ricketts closed news sites Gothamist and DNAInfo one week after workers voted to unionize is alarming and outrageous. Unions add quality and sustainability, which also translates into profitability. Retaliating against employees seeking a voice at work is wrong and illegal. We stand with all workers who form and join unions to improve their lives, their work and their organizations.