Category: News

Why We Support the Journalist Protection Act

This OpEd appeared in HuffPost in February, under the headline, What Happens When a Journalist Gets Beat Up? Too Often, Not Much.

By Bernie Lunzer, President, TNG-CWA

Feb. 23, 2018 – Taylor Lorenz was covering the August 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., for The Hill — and had just captured video of Heather Heyer being struck and killed by a car driven by one of the attendees — when she was knocked to the ground. Continue reading “Why We Support the Journalist Protection Act”

After 6 Acquittals, Charges Linger for Others in Inauguration Day Protests

Feb. 23, 2018 – Press freedom advocates won an important victory when photojournalist Alexei Wood was found not guilty of charges stemming from Inauguration Day protests. Five other defendants were also exonerated, and charges were subsequently dropped against 129 others who were awaiting prosecution.

But charges are still pending against 59 people, including Aaron Cantú, a freelance journalist now working for the Santa Fe Reporter. His work has appeared in The Nation, The Guardian, The Baffler and VICE News. Continue reading “After 6 Acquittals, Charges Linger for Others in Inauguration Day Protests”

Facing Death Threats, Mexican Journalist Seeks Asylum; Justice for Myanmar Reporters

Feb. 23, 2018 – The U.S. government has agreed to reconsider the asylum petition of a Mexican journalist who faces near-certain death if he is forced to return to Mexico.

The decision by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals follows a campaign by more than 20 press freedom organizations, including the Guild, supporting Emilio Gutierrez’s request for asylum. Continue reading “Facing Death Threats, Mexican Journalist Seeks Asylum; Justice for Myanmar Reporters”

Click Goals: The pressure is always there.

By Martha Waggoner, NewsGuild International Chairperson

 

Feb. 23, 2018 – When sports reporter Jeff Gordon arrives at the office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the first thing he sees is a monitor that lists stories based on their popularity or the number of clicks they receive.

And while the newspaper and its unionized newsroom don’t have any official click — or page view — goals, everyone wants their story at the top of the list. Continue reading “Click Goals: The pressure is always there.”

AP Employees Mobilize for Negotiations

Feb. 22, 2018 – When a small gray car pulled up in front of the building that houses The Associated Press Washington Bureau in November, the red-shirted crowd on the sidewalk roared and held up signs, including a favorite: “AP’s health care proposal is enough to make you sick!” Continue reading “AP Employees Mobilize for Negotiations”

New Activism Takes Hold at the Post

Feb. 22, 2018 – From the outside, the Washington Post seems to be flourishing.

Multi-billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought the company, moved the staff into a beautiful new building, and hired a staggering amount of new talent.

Yet the latest round of bargaining between Bezos and the Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild dragged on through last summer, fall and winter with miserly proposals from management and precious little movement. Continue reading “New Activism Takes Hold at the Post”