AT&T workers who are members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) walked off the job May 19 for a three-day strike, protesting AT&T’s failure to present serious proposals that invest in good jobs with a future. During the job action this weekend, a majority of AT&T wireless, wireline and DIRECTV workers fighting for their contracts are expected to be on strike. Click here to read more.
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”
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.”
Read more about the “The Status of Women in U.S. Media 2017” report –>