Blog | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA

O-1 Visa Requests

Updated January 2020 – Journalists seeking 0-1 visas to the U.S. are required by the Department of Homeland Security to submit opinion letters from The NewsGuild-CWA on the suitability of their request.

The visa application requires petitioners to contact the labor union with jurisdiction over work they seek to perform to obtain an advisory opinion on whether the visa should be granted.

To qualify for an O-1 visa in journalism, applicants must be journalists or other news professionals. Applicants must demonstrate extraordinary achievement evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition significantly above that ordinarily encountered to the extent the person is recognized as outstanding, notable or leading in the journalism field. Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site to review the qualifications.

Steps for Submitting Requests for Review

To request a review, please send a synopsis of the work you are seeking, a summary of your qualifications and the completed USCIS application to guild@cwa-union.org. Do not include the complete body of work supporting the application with the initial request for review.

After an initial review, eligible applicants will be invited to send documentation and payment, providing the work to be performed is within the Guild’s jurisdiction. If the Guild determines during the initial review that the request is not within the Guild’s jurisdiction, applicants will be notified.

Eligible petitioners will then be required to submit all supporting documentation (e.g., proof of awards, reviews, articles, and testimonials); a valid copy of the petitioner’s passport; a copy of the I-129 petition form; and a copy of the employment contract. Please include all materials and supporting documentation that are provided to immigration officials, including, but not limited to, a broad sample of the petitioner’s work in the U.S., for international publications or websites.

A hard copy of the documentation should be sent to The NewsGuild, 501 Third Street NW, Washington DC 20001, along with the fee for this service, which is $550 USD for a three- to four-week turnaround.

Petitions will not be reviewed unless all steps have been completed. Petitions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow for the full processing time regarding your USCIS deadline. There is no option to expedite.

If you have questions, please contact: Dominique Edmondson at (202) 434-7177 or guild@cwa-union.org.

CWA Condemns House Healthcare Bill

May 4, 2017 – Statement by President Chris Shelton, Communications Workers of America, on the proposed health care plan introduced last night by House Republicans:

We’re still learning about the health care plan proposed by House Republicans. It’s clear, however, that the legislation provides a big tax giveaway to corporations and the 1 percent, while working families, seniors and children are stuck picking up the tab. Continue reading “CWA Condemns House Healthcare Bill”

Journalists Mark Press Freedom Day with Campaign for the ‘Right to Report’

Members of the NewsGuild-CWA marked World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by launching a campaign to protect the Right to Report. The union is asking all those who treasure freedom of the press to sign a petition and join the fight to protect this cherished right.

Continue reading “Journalists Mark Press Freedom Day with Campaign for the ‘Right to Report’”

In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom

May 4, 2017 – NewsGuild-CWA members at 28 digital media companies owned by Gatehouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3 with coordinated actions to support quality journalism at the papers and to highlight the damage wrought by severe cuts in their newsrooms and other departments.

The activities, which included rallies and displays of signs and banners at work stations, aimed to raise awareness of the growing threat that “vulture” hedge funds pose to the nation’s community newspapers. Union leaders say the newspaper owners’ excessive profiteering threatens journalism at a critical time of politicized attacks on the news media. The events marked the first coordinated acts of solidarity by GateHouse and DFM workers. Continue reading “In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom”

Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter

Managers at the Boston Herald got an unwelcome surprise after they suspended reporter Chris Villani – allegedly for violating the company’s social media policy. The 2013 policy, which requires reporters to get approval from the Executive Editor or his designee prior to tweeting breaking news, had never been enforced before.

Reporters launched a Twitter boycott – blacking out their profile images and refraining from tweeting. Continue reading “Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter”

Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day

Unionized workers at media outlets owned by GateHouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) will mark World Press Freedom Day – May 3 – by sending a message to their employers: “Democracy Depends on Journalism: Invest in Us.”

Continue reading “Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day”

NLRB to Issue Complaint Against SOSi

After a lengthy investigation into more than a dozen charges of anti-union activity, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is preparing to issue a formal complaint against SOS International, a federal contractor that provides language-interpreting services for immigration courts, the NewsGuild-CWA has announced. Continue reading “NLRB to Issue Complaint Against SOSi”

As World Press Freedom Day Approaches, ‘Right to Report’ Campaign Takes Off

As World Press Freedom Day – May 3 – approaches, journalists are launching a campaign to protect the Right to Report, says NewsGuild-CWA President Bernie Lunzer. He is urging all those who treasure freedom of the press to sign a petition and join the fight to protect this treasured right.

Continue reading “As World Press Freedom Day Approaches, ‘Right to Report’ Campaign Takes Off”

Report: The Status of Women in U.S. Media 2017

The fifth edition of the Women’s Media Center’s annual assessment of how females fare across media platforms found areas of progress, but mixed news overall. The center monitored news outlets for three months in 2016, and found that a gender gap exists in traditional newspapers, TV news, online news, and wire services, with the largest disparity in television.

According to the report, “Men still dominate media across all platforms—television, newspapers, online and wires—with change coming only incrementally. Women are not equal partners in telling the story, nor are they equal partners in sourcing and interpreting what and who is important in the story.”

Interpreters and Translators

The interpreter and translator professions are not new, yet inconsistent industry standards have been developed by those who employ us to determine the best skill level for the work that we do. Since 1981, as NewsGuild members, we have fought to raise the standards for our work.

We need to be able to provide the best possible services to our clients. We do that through sustainable and healthy working conditions and also through consistent and fair pay. Continue reading “Interpreters and Translators”