We must stand on guard for decent jobs, quality journalism, press freedom

Labour Day Message from CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon

At CWA Canada, we are standing on guard this Labour Day – and always – to defend quality jobs, quality journalism, a vibrant free press, and a strong, independent labour movement.

It’s hard to believe that in 2019 we still have to fight for something as basic as press freedom, but it’s a sad reality given the rise of demagogues and right-wing radicals in formerly progressive democracies who perversely view the media as “enemies of the people.”

We cannot let them win. We must all commit to defending journalism as a pillar of democracy. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and on our democratic system.

We must also fight to save quality journalism at a time when it is under assault from all directions, whether declining ad revenue, cannibalistic hedge funds, arrogant owners or autocratic leaders.

It is our duty is to stand up in our workplace and at the bargaining table – with the strength and protection of our union – to defend decent-paying jobs and quality journalism.

A weakened media is bad for workers, bad for society, and dangerous for democracy.

So this weekend, please stand with us and take a moment to think about what you can do to help.