Press Releases | The NewsGuild

Statement on law enforcement targeting journalists in Los Angeles

Media Contact: Dylan Manshack, dmanshack@cwa-union.org | 202-445-4033

WASHINGTON (June 11) — The NewsGuild-CWA, representing more than 28,000 journalists and other workers across North America, released the following statement from Jon Schleuss, president of The NewsGuild-CWA, on the police targeting of reporters in Los Angeles:

“Journalists covering protests in Los Angeles against ICE immigration raids, including NewsGuild-CWA members, have been targeted by law enforcement with less-lethal rounds and tear gas. Police have fired on local, national and foreign reporters who were only doing their jobs.

“These actions by law enforcement are illegal. They violate California state law and are unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Law enforcement has imperiled the safety of journalists on the job and disregarded the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment and the rights of journalists in the United States. Police cannot target journalists for doing their jobs. Every worker has the right to leave work at the end of the day healthy and uninjured.

“The First Amendment protects the right to photograph and record matters of public interest, including the right to record law enforcement officers engaged in the exercise of their official duties in public spaces. Journalists reporting on events and not interfering with federal operations cannot be subject to general dispersal orders, and they cannot be unreasonably searched or have their equipment seized.

“The NewsGuild-CWA strongly condemns the targeting of journalists by multiple law enforcement agencies. We demand that every law enforcement agency take steps to ensure the safety of all journalists and open investigations into any officer violating the rights of journalists doing their jobs.

“Journalists play a crucial role in holding power to account, particularly during times of crisis and protest. When law enforcement targets reporters, it’s not just an attack on individuals; it’s an attack on every American’s right to a free press. The U.S. government must defend that freedom, not undermine it. Journalism is not a crime.”

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ABOUT THE NEWSGUILD-CWA

The NewsGuild-CWA fights for justice on the job for journalists, media and nonprofit workers. As the largest union of journalists in North America and a sector of the Communications Workers of America, the Guild is one of the fastest-growing unions in the country—more than 11,000 workers have organized with us since 2018.

In landslide election, Hearst journalists vote to unionize and demand company begin bargaining immediately

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2025

Contact: connecticutnewsguild@gmail.com

CONNECTICUT – Reporters, photographers, editors and digital producers working for Connecticut’s largest print/digital news organization have voted overwhelmingly to form a union with The NewsGuild-CWA, joining newsrooms around the country by claiming a voice in decisions about their working conditions, pay, protections against unfair discipline and more.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Journalists, Federal Workers, and Unions File Lawsuit to Challenge Closure of U.S. Agency for Global Media

March 21, 2025

Contact: comms@cwa-union.org, press@whistleblower.org, Nvoutsinos@afscme.org, press@democracyforward.org, press@statedemocracydefenders.org, press@afge.org, Gamer@afsa.org, pjones@rsf.org

The U.S. Agency for Global Media violated the First Amendment, separation of powers, appointments clause, and several laws when it suspended nearly all operations, says a new complaint filed by unions and workers

Unionized journalists walk out on Forbes Magazine’s biggest day of the year

NEW YORK – Unionized editorial staff at Forbes – who ordinarily would be staffing the launch of the magazine’s most important issue of the year, “30 Under 30” – have walked off the job. The one-day ULP work stoppage is in protest of the business magazine’s continued intransigence at the bargaining table and repeated labor law violations.

STATEMENT from Sports Illustrated Union and The NewsGuild of New York on layoffs at SI

For Immediate Release: Jan, 19, 2024
Media Contact: Jen Sheehan, jen@nyguild.org

“We have fought together as a union to maintain the standard of this storied publication that we love, and to make sure our workers are treated fairly for the value they bring to this company. It is a fight we will continue.” – Mitch Goldich, NFL editor and unit chair.

Earlier today the workers of Sports Illustrated were notified that The Arena Group is planning to lay off a significant number, possibly all, of the Guild-represented workers at SI, a result of Authentic Brands Group (ABG) revoking Arena’s license to publish SI.

STATEMENT from Pitchfork Union and The NewsGuild of New York on layoffs at Pitchfork

NEW YORK – Pitchfork Union and The NewsGuild of New York categorically condemn the Condé Nast announcement Wednesday that it plans to lay off eight Guild-represented members as part of an internal corporate reorganization that will “fold” Pitchfork into GQ magazine.

Condé Nast provided no further information about the future of the premiere music publication, demonstrating once again a lack of regard for the workers who have contributed to the company’s success.

Condé Nast management announced on Nov. 1 plans to lay off 5% of its workforce. Since then the Guild has been fighting on behalf of all affected workers. In a December meeting with Guild bargaining members, Condé Nast representatives said there would be no layoffs at Pitchfork.

We saw on Wednesday just how untrustworthy Condé Nast management is.

“Our members are essential to the ongoing and future success of Condé Nast. The reporters, editors, producers, researchers and all the people who make award-winning music journalism for Pitchfork, deserve better than to be treated like disposable parts,” said Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York. “We will continue to hold Condé Nast accountable and to fight for the recognition and compensation our members have earned, as we explore all possible options to support those affected.”

High Country News staff form wall-to-wall union

54 years after its humble beginnings as a newspaper in Wyoming, the national magazine’s unionizing efforts will go towards pay parity and equitable working conditions.

Press contact: McKenna Stayner, hcnunion@gmail.com
Website: www.hcnunion.org
Twitter: @HCNUnion Instagram: @HCNWorkers

On Jan. 9, staff at High Country News, a 54-year-old nonprofit magazine that covers lands and communities in the Western U.S., announced their intent to unionize. The High Country News Union has organized with the Communications Workers of America Local 37074, Denver News Guild, joining peers such as the Denver Post and Casper-Star Tribune. On a national scale, High Country News staff joins the ranks of an increasing number of nonprofit newsrooms to unionize, from Grist to CalMatters to ProPublica.

“I’m so excited to see what HCN will become when staff have a real and meaningful say in our workplace. The High Country News Union will be a body to receive and digest all our individual needs and reflect our shared goal of making HCN a better, healthier work environment,” said HCN’s Features Director McKenna Stayner.

For respect and fair wages: Evansville Courier & Press employees announce union campaign

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Citing slashed resources and jobs and the prospect that nothing will change without action, the award-winning journalists of the Evansville Courier & Press are uniting to form a union.

The launch is intended above all to perpetuate the high standard of investigative journalism, sports, food and news coverage for which the Courier & Press long has been known — by giving a greater voice in the workplace to the journalists who make it all happen every day.

Unions call for accountability in Kansas newspaper raid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Writers Guild of America, East and The NewsGuild-CWA demand the Marion County Police department be held accountable for its raid of the Marion County Record newspaper in Marion, Kansas.

The officers and officials who seized computers, phones and other data from reporters and the newspaper’s offices engaged in activities that are an affront to the constitutionally protected rights of journalists and news media workers.

Press freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy that is enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution and our unions will do everything to protect and preserve a free and independent press.

Members of the Florida Times-Union Guild talked with members of the community in Jacksonville in March 2023.

Gannett journalists to strike during annual shareholders meeting

Reporters call on Gannett shareholders to vote no-confidence in CEO Mike Reed, citing Reed’s gross mismanagement

Two dozen newsrooms and hundreds of journalists expected to take part

NATIONAL — Gannett journalists today announced that they would be holding a wave of nationwide strikes starting on June 5, the day of Gannett’s annual shareholder meeting. Hundreds of union journalists in two dozen newsrooms from California to New York are expected to take part to demand that Gannett get serious about reinvesting in local news, in the largest collective action that Gannett employees have taken to date.

Journalists will take one-day walkouts on the day of the meeting, with some newsrooms walking off the job for two days or more. The Gannett publications participating will come from more than half a dozen states, including California, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey and New York.