Rep. Swalwell Addresses Journalist Protection Act in Town Hall Call

March 19, 2018 – Rep. Eric Swalwell introduced the Journalist Protect Act because he wants to protect journalists from assault and ensure that “if somebody were to inflict violence upon you to intimidate you in the newsgathering work, that they could be federally prosecuted.” Continue reading “Rep. Swalwell Addresses Journalist Protection Act in Town Hall Call”

Guild Member Sues St. Louis, Police for Assault During On-the-Job Arrest

Feb. 26, 2018 – NewsGuild member Michael Faulk has filed a lawsuit against the city of St. Louis and nearly a dozen members of its Metropolitan Police Department, charging the officers assaulted him when he and approximately 120 others were arrested at a protest Faulk was covering for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sept. 17, 2017. Continue reading “Guild Member Sues St. Louis, Police for Assault During On-the-Job Arrest”

Journalist Protection Act

NewsGuild Supports Journalist Protection Act

Feb. 23, 2018 – The NewsGuild-CWA is supporting a bill that would make it a federal crime to assault a journalist. (See President’s Column.)

The Journalist Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Eric Swalwell of California in February, addresses a real need, said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. Continue reading “NewsGuild Supports Journalist Protection Act”

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”

What Happens When a Journalist Gets Beat Up? Too Often, Not Much

This Opinion Column appeared in the HuffingtonPost on Feb. 15, 2018.

Feb. 15, 2018 – Taylor Lorenz was covering the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, for The Hill newspaper last August ― and had just captured video of counterprotester Heather Heyer being struck and killed by a car ― when she herself was knocked to the ground.

Continue reading “What Happens When a Journalist Gets Beat Up? Too Often, Not Much”

Journalist Protection Act

NewsGuild-CWA, NABET-CWA Support Journalist Protection Act

For Immediate Release – Feb. 5, 2018

Contact: Bernie Lunzer,
202-434-7177
Sally Davidow
sdavidow@cwa-union.org
202-368-3324

Washington, DC – Unions representing 30,000 reporters, photographers, and broadcast employees are praising a bill filed Monday that would make it a federal crime to assault a journalist.

The Journalist Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, addresses a real need, said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. Continue reading “NewsGuild-CWA, NABET-CWA Support Journalist Protection Act”