Nov. 29, 2017 – Once again, the FCC is tampering with the rules that protect the First Amendment.
On Dec. 14, commissioners will vote to dismantle regulations that ensure equal access to the internet, Chairman Ajit Pai has announced. The rules, known as “net neutrality,” prevent internet companies from charging customers more to access some sites or slowing speeds to sites. Continue reading “FCC Threatens Net Neutrality”
Nov. 21, 2017 – The Communications Workers of America wants to make sure that the nation’s biggest employers actually give working families the average $4,000 wage increases that the Trump administration says will result from cutting the corporate tax rate. Continue reading “CWA: Employers Should Guarantee ‘$4,000 Wage Increase’ Promised by Trump Tax Plan”
Nov. 21, 2017 – The trial of Alexei Wood, a photojournalist arrested at an Inauguration Day protest in Washington, DC, got underway on Nov. 20, sparking fierce debate over journalists’ rights to do their jobs without fear of arrest, as well as other First Amendment issues and matters of law. Continue reading “Trial Gets Underway for Photojournalist Arrested at Inauguration Day Protest”
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”
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. 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”
Oct. 27, 2017 – Employees of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser rallied to “save Hawaii news” on Oct. 26, protesting layoffs at the paper and the devastating effect they will have on news coverage. Sign their petition. Continue reading “Journalists, Supporters Rally to ‘Save Hawaii News’”
Oct. 26, 2017 – A new brochure for distribution to new and potential NewsGuild members is now available. The brochure, The NewsGuild-CWA, The Voice for Journalists in the Digital Age, is ideal for any local that wishes to increase membership and improve participation, as well as for people who are not affiliated with the Guild but who are interested in learning about the organization. Continue reading “Say hello to the Guild”
