NATIONWIDE GUILD MEETING
Hello Guild Family:
I was in Pottstown last night to watch a Guild-sponsored screening of the sober documentary “Stripped for Parts” that was a powerful reminder of how under attack journalism is. The documentary, and subsequent panel discussion participated in by our own brilliant and indefatigable Bill Ross, focused on the destruction done by the evil hedge fund Alden Global Capital, including to a local paper, the Pottstown Mercury, where I once worked — when it was staffed mightily and had won two Pulitzer Prizes. Its headquarters is no more, a mothballed building in downtown Pottstown. And its reporting staff down has been reduced to a couple people.
Closer to home, The Inquirer, mercifully not owned by a hedge fund but rather a nonprofit, is not immune from the challenges. It has just eliminated an entire coverage team as part of eight job cuts in the newsroom.
And in Washington, D.C., well, you know what journalists are facing there.
In short, we’re under attack, prompting a rare NewsGuild-CWA national membership meeting Thursday at 8 p.m. where threats to our union, members and our industry will be discussed and strategies developed for a national campaign to Defend Our Free Press.
Register https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dbmD_XJmQKGcXBs9-Y3j_A#/registration
to join the meeting. Our future is worth a few minutes, wouldn’t you agree?
In solidarity,
Diane
