International Trade Commission reverses, removes newsprint tariffs

With efforts made by many organizations, including a letter from CWA President Chris Shelton, the ITC removed newsprint tariffs that had been put in place by the Trump administration. The tariffs created significant pressure on publishers when they least need it. See story at:

Getty Images/Natalie Behring

https://www.axios.com/newspaper-tariffs-canada-trade-itc-28b7b58f-4081-484f-a539-170244355be9.html

NewsGuild Statement on Tragic Shooting at Capital Gazette

 June 29, 2018 – Following is the statement issued by the NewsGuild-CWA on yesterday’s tragic shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis:

A gunman with a vendetta against the newspaper shot and killed five employees of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. These employees didn’t do their jobs for the money or the glory. Few of us do, but that’s especially true at a local newspaper where journalism is a community service. Continue reading “NewsGuild Statement on Tragic Shooting at Capital Gazette”

Targeting Jeff Bezos? Post employees want to share in success.

The Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild continues to negotiate with the Bezos-owned Washington Post. From the Vanity Fair piece (click headline above): The new economy’s archetypal disrupter was a dead-tree media hero for saving the paper. But now his journalists want a bigger cut. “Bezos has done amazing things for this place,” says one staffer. “But the disaffection with Silicon Valley monopolies may be coming home to roost.”

Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Slams Post-Gazette Editorial

Jan. 18, 2018 – The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has taken the unusual step of slamming an editorial that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Martin Luther King Day.

“As a matter of course, the Guild does not weigh in on editorial positions, but this piece is so extraordinary in its mindless, sycophantic embrace of racist values and outright bigotry espoused by this country’s President that we would be morally, journalistically, and humanly remiss not to speak out against it,” the local wrote in a Jan. 16 letter to the editor. Continue reading “Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Slams Post-Gazette Editorial”

Guild, NABET, CWA Tell FCC: Don’t Crush Local News

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”

CWA, NewsGuild, NABET Join Opposition to Sinclair-Tribune Merger

The Communications Workers of America, NewsGuild and NABET (National Association of Broadcast Engineers and Technicians) filed reply comments at the FCC opposing the Sinclair-Tribune merger on Aug. 29. The unions argued that the merger would reduce viewpoint diversity, harm localism, and reduce jobs. Continue reading “CWA, NewsGuild, NABET Join Opposition to Sinclair-Tribune Merger”

Sun-Times Purchase Could Be a Model for the Struggling Industry

Workers are ‘Flying High’

The regularly-scheduled meeting of the Chicago NewsGuild, held in President Grace Catania’s backyard, turned into an impromptu celebration when members learned the deal was closed.

“We’re flying high here,” said David Roeder, just days after the Chicago Sun-Times and the Reader were sold to an investment group led by former Alderman Edwin Eisendrath and the Chicago Federation of Labor. Roeder has been member of the Chicago News Guild for more than two decades and now serves as a consultant to the union.

The sale to Eisendrath and the labor federation was a long shot. Continue reading “Sun-Times Purchase Could Be a Model for the Struggling Industry”

Trump to Blame for Rash of Attacks on Reporters, NewsGuild-CWA Says

May 25 – “Hatred of the media has been stoked by the president of the United States and some who support him — and the results are not surprising,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Bernie Lunzer when he learned of the assault on Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs by a candidate for Congress.

“Ben Jacobs – and all journalists who ask tough questions in search of the truth – are among the heroes of the moment,” he added. “They are acting on behalf of the American people – asking questions, reporting facts, filling in the blanks, and making connections.” Continue reading “Trump to Blame for Rash of Attacks on Reporters, NewsGuild-CWA Says”

War on Journalists Escalates

NewsGuild-CWA Lauds ‘Heroes of the Moment’

May 19, 2017 – Barely noticed in a May 16 New York Times article by NewsGuild-CWA member Michael S. Schmidt was this gem:

“Alone in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump began the discussion by condemning leaks to the news media, saying that Mr. Comey should consider putting reporters in prison for publishing classified information, according to one of Mr. Comey’s associates.” Continue reading “War on Journalists Escalates”