Hot Topic - Journalist Associations/Unions

Journalist Group Exasperated By Loose Cannon - November 11, 2019
Journalist associations possess a certain cachet within the media sphere of many countries, certainly in Europe broadly. These groups weigh-in on relevant subjects from worker’s rights to copyrights. Generally, they represent member’s views, always ardent promoters of press freedom. Being ardent democrats (small d) they have meetings, debates, votes and issue position papers. But, like all activist organizations there can be disagreements.

Unions Take Stands For Journalists And Everybody Else - May 1, 2018
All the forces challenging the media world have put pressure on media trade unions, associations and related support groups. They have stood up reasonably well. If anything, these organizations remain strong voices for media workers set upon by various tormentors.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is A Single Bulb - February 13, 2018
Big media deals are always attention-getting. Media watchers wax on about consolidation, digital, jobs and competition. Money by the pile being what it is, most transactions of a certain scale are rather creative. Give thanks to the accountants and hedge fund managers for keeping the last light on.

News Coverage Hard To Manage, Pictures Rule - October 9, 2017
News coverage has long been driven by pictures. A striking photo or dramatic video will attract instant popular attention. The brain processes visual images much more quickly than words. Anthropologists and psychologists know this. So, too, editors. Others are learning.

Beware, Crusading Newspapers: Punishment Comes - September 25, 2017
The closing of a newspaper does not attract much attention these days. Economics are unforgiving, we’ve learned. And no media platform can escape. There are other pressures, equally powerful, ready to crush.

The Whole (Media) World Is Watching - February 27, 2017
Anybody even vaguely associated with journalism and the news media is consummately aware that the month-old US presidential administration is hell-bent on discouraging any reporting less than fawning from appearing in print, on television, radio or online. To discourage is far too mild; try crush. A key advisor referred many times last week to the news media as an “opposition party” to be fought “every day,” without any sense of irony, at a far-right political conference. “Oh, this could be messy,” to quote Alanis Morissette.

The Future Is At Hand – State Broadcasting Returns - May 30, 2016
Public broadcasters working under constrained independence, administrative and financial, risk default to State broadcasting. Those separated barely a generation from dogmatic control face stiff resistance to new and open practice. Authorities always prefer a pliant mouthpiece.