Dec. 22, 2017 – Photojournalist Alexei Wood and five other defendants who were arrested at an Inauguration Day protest in Washington, DC, were found not guilty of all charges on Dec. 21. Continue reading “Photojournalist, Five Others Found Not Guilty in Inauguration Day Protest”
NewsGuild: Stop the Deportation of Journalist Emilio Gutierrez
Dec. 12, 2017 – Emilio Gutierrez, a Mexican journalist who sought refuge in the U.S. nearly a decade ago, is facing deportation, despite the fact that he faces near-certain death if he returns to Mexico.
Continue reading “NewsGuild: Stop the Deportation of Journalist Emilio Gutierrez”
A Breach: Government Tracking Phones Without a Warrant
Dec. 1, 2017 – Is it okay for the government to get information about your cell phone use without a warrant? Should the police be able to find out – without getting a warrant – who you talked to? Where you went?
That’s the question the Supreme Court grappled with on Nov. 29, when justices heard the case of Carpenter v. United States. Continue reading “A Breach: Government Tracking Phones Without a Warrant”
FCC Threatens Net Neutrality
Nov. 29, 2017 – Once again, the FCC is tampering with the rules that protect the First Amendment.
On Dec. 14, commissioners will vote to dismantle regulations that ensure equal access to the internet, Chairman Ajit Pai has announced. The rules, known as “net neutrality,” prevent internet companies from charging customers more to access some sites or slowing speeds to sites. Continue reading “FCC Threatens Net Neutrality”
Trial Gets Underway for Photojournalist Arrested at Inauguration Day Protest
NewsGuild Condemns Arrest; Case Sparks Debate Over First Amendment Rights
Nov. 21, 2017 – The trial of Alexei Wood, a photojournalist arrested at an Inauguration Day protest in Washington, DC, got underway on Nov. 20, sparking fierce debate over journalists’ rights to do their jobs without fear of arrest, as well as other First Amendment issues and matters of law. Continue reading “Trial Gets Underway for Photojournalist Arrested at Inauguration Day Protest”
DFM Workers: Stop pillaging our community newspapers to finance your mansion buying sprees!
Nov. 21, 2017 – Employees of news organizations owned by Alden Global Capital, a shadowy hedge fund that now controls 200 newspapers across the country, are telling head honchos Randall Smith and Heath Freeman: Stop pillaging our community newspapers to finance your mansion buying sprees!
Sign their petition here.
Federal Shield Law Introduced in House
Nov. 20, 2017 – Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) introduced a bipartisan federal shield law on Nov. 14 that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources or documents in most cases. Continue reading “Federal Shield Law Introduced in House”
Federal Judge Rejects St. Louis Police Tactics
Police Department Issues ‘Special Order’ to Respect Rights of Journalists
Nov. 17, 2017 – A federal judge issued a stinging rebuke to the St. Louis Police Department on Nov. 15 for aggressive tactics officers used during a wave of protests in September and October. The judge barred officers from declaring protests “unlawful” unless there is an imminent threat of violence, and issued restrictions on the use of pepper spray and other chemical agents on nonviolent protesters.
NewsGuild President Bernie called the ruling “an important, positive development in protecting civil liberties,” but insisted that the union would continue to seek additional legal protections for journalists, who were among those arrested and manhandled during the protests. Continue reading “Federal Judge Rejects St. Louis Police Tactics”
Guild: We Must Continue the Fight for Local News
Nov. 16, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission voted to eliminate longstanding rules governing media ownership – rules that are intended to protect local news coverage and guarantee a diversity of voices. As a result, we will face a drastic loss of local news coverage – and jobs – as media companies consolidate. Continue reading “Guild: We Must Continue the Fight for Local News”
Guild, NABET: Don’t Let the FCC Crush Local News
Nov. 7, 2017 – The NewsGuild-CWA and NABET-CWA are urging members and supporters to sign a petition opposing plans by the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate longstanding rules governing media ownership – rules that are intended to protect local news coverage and guarantee a diversity of voices.
“If the rules are abolished, residents would face a drastic loss of local news coverage – and jobs – as media companies consolidate,” said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. Continue reading “Guild, NABET: Don’t Let the FCC Crush Local News”