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Moving on Together in 2024 - It has been a tumultuous few years for the media industry. In addition to the decline of news outlets and a significant loss of jobs, we are seeing other challenges. Newspapers continue to cut costs and eye shutdowns or mergers, even though surveys show Canadians oppose a shrinking media landscape. Broadcasters keep slashing jobs, hurting both young workers desperate to practice journalism, and older workers who are often less appreciated as they become more experienced. The proliferation of AI and the related drop in employment show no sign of easing. For years we’ve embraced technology as it has made repetitive tasks manageable. But now we are seeing damaging incursions few could have imagined just a few years ago, such as fully AI-generated copy. Unions must monitor these changes closely and be part of the discussions on how and why AI is implemented in our workplaces. A chilling global challenge is the number of media workers killed and injured on the job, whether in war zones, countries in conflict, or unstable regimes. At least 95 media workers were killed in 2023 according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. In most cases there is little hope for justice – impunity reigns. And [...]
World Press Freedom Day message from CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon - This World Press Freedom Day we must keep up our resolve to fight the disturbing trend of anti-media harassment both at home and abroad. Many journalists, including CWA Canada members, continue to face sexist and racist comments and other abuse on social media, usually from right-wing trolls. It is also disturbing to hear politicians, including the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the premier of Alberta, irresponsibly smear and demonize journalists and reputable news organizations, most notably the CBC. Journalism is a pillar of democracy. If journalists feel threatened doing their jobs, important stories may go untold, and democracy is undermined. As part of our effort, CWA Canada is in a coalition led by the Canadian Association of Journalists fighting online hate. The coalition released Poisoned Well, its report on the troubling findings of an industry roundtable on journalists and online hate. We are also part of the Canada Press Freedom Project which monitors press freedom violations across the country. We can’t let trolls, extremists or politicians get away with their dangerous attacks. Today, and every day, please speak out when you hear anyone denigrate the media. As journalism goes, so goes democracy.
Open letter to PM Justin Trudeau concerning the online hate and harassment of journalists - The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.Prime Minister of Canada80 Wellington StreetOttawa, ON, K1A 0A2 Delivered by email Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, We are writing in relation to the increasing and alarming online hate and harassment targeting journalists and journalism as a profession. This is a global problem, which threatens not only the safety and well-being of journalists, but the proper functioning of democracy itself. Many countries are now working on plans to fight back. We are calling on Canadian police and policymakers to do the same. For the most part, these attacks are aimed at racialized and female journalists who are experiencing an increasing number of targeted, vile threats of violence. The trend is clear. In a 2021 Ipsos survey of journalists, 72 per cent of respondents said they had experienced some form of online harassment. At the time, the CAJ co-signed a statement with many Canadian media organizations, affirming that “there can be no tolerance for hate and harassment of journalists or for incitement of attacks on journalists for doing their jobs.” Yet the problem grows. The volume and nature of the rhetoric in the recent string of attacks has caused many journalists, as well as their respective organizations, to fear for their [...] World Press Freedom Day message from CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon - We mark World Press Freedom Day in the midst of a disturbing rise in anti-media harassment. We have long fought for press freedom overseas. But now our fight is also on the home front, and it’s not against an authoritarian government — it’s against some of our fellow Canadians. In the last year, many journalists, including CWA Canada members, have been receiving vile sexist and racist comments and threats on social media, usually by right-wing trolls. Women and people of colour, in particular, have been targeted. We also witnessed disgusting behaviour during the so-called “freedom convoy” in Ottawa and across the country as some of our colleagues were intimidated, swarmed, cursed and spat at, and even assaulted. Journalism is a pillar of democracy. If journalists feel threatened doing their jobs, important stories may go untold, and democracy is undermined. This harassment and hate must not be tolerated. It is vital that journalists are protected. We have been working with journalism groups, the labour movement, academics and employers on a strategy to stop the campaign of hate. Our coalition, led by the Canadian Association of Journalists, released a report on the problem in February. We are also part of the Canada Press Freedom Project which will [...]
Online hate is damaging journalists, democracy: report - The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) and the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) have released Poisoned Well, the troubling findings of an industry roundtable on journalists and online hate. “Freedom of the press is integral to a healthy democracy,” says Natalie Turvey, CJF President and Executive Director. “The online abuse suffered by too many journalists today goes well beyond critical discourse and, in many cases, harms their safety and well-being in the workplace. This report is a call to action to our industry, government officials and the broader Canadian public.” The CAJ and Carleton University held the roundtable on Oct. 21 in response to repeated instances of Canadian journalists, particularly women and racialized media, being targeted with online hate and harassment. Freedom to Report As the so-called truckers’ convoy drags on and disrupts, journalists and crews are once again being subjected to abusive treatment by those who now feel emboldened and entitled to break free of the restrictive measures which have ensnared all of us for the past two years. Commentary by Kim Trynacity, CBC Branch President, Canadian Media Guild (CWA Canada Local 30213) Commissioned by the CJF, the report shares the findings of that roundtable with the broader public. [...]Offsite Insight
18.12.16 The St. Catherines Standard – NPCA CAO claims reporter asking questions is ‘bullying’
18.12.14 Reporters Without Borders – RSF’s 2018 round-up of deadly attacks and abuses against journalists — figures up in all categories
18.12.13 National Observer – Press council comes down on Toronto Sun for ‘serious breach’ after false report about goats
18.12.13 Poynter – Egypt is jailing more journalists on ‘false news’ charges than anywhere else in the world
18.12.06 J-Source – When not to publish graphic images
18.12.03 The Signal – Canada finally has a source protection law — is it enough?
18.11.30 VICE News – Canadian politicians aren’t fazed by Supreme Court ruling against VICE reporter
18.11.30 J-Source – ‘Dark day’ for Canadian journalism industry after Vice ruling
18.11.30 Global News – Supreme Court decision on Vice Media a major ‘setback’ for investigative reporting in Canada: experts
18.11.14 Reporters Without Borders – Journalists in Cambodia — persecution and hell
18.11.11 CBC News – Attacks on the media are a threat to democracy, Trudeau says
18.11.09 The Guardian – Hong Kong effectively blacklists senior British journalist
18.11.05 Reporters Without Borders – US-RSF joins The Washington Post’s Press Freedom Partnership
18.11.01 The New York Times – The news is bad in Hungary
18.10.26 The Globe and Mail – Federal Conservative Party and Leader Scheer increase criticism of media and reporters
18.10.22 The London Free Press – News media leader hails journalists’ acquittal of police obstruction
18.10.19 J-Source – We cannot continue to ignore the Toronto Sun’s toxic output
CWA Canada • The Media Union 
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