Press Rights 101: Understand newsgathering rights and limitations in California

Press Rights 101: Understand newsgathering rights and limitations in California

A leading media lawyer and press advocate will give a comprehensive overview of legal protections and practical considerations for covering protests, filming police in the field and more — with a Q&A. RSVP required. Saturday, April 23 | 10-11:30 AM Pacific Time Click here to register Led by Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel, National Press Photographers […]

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RIP Larry Hatfield: dedicated union leader, forthright newspaperman,  legendary tippler

RIP Larry Hatfield: dedicated union leader, forthright newspaperman, legendary tippler

By Lynn Ludlow Irascible, amiable and enormously talented, the young newsman from cornbread Iowa loved living in hot-tub Marin. As the 1960s played out, Larry D. Hatfield had been a cub reporter in the news cauldron of Washington, D.C. Moving to California, he got a job in San Rafael at the Marin Independent Journal. He […]

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State Senate Bill 98 is law. So now what?

State Senate Bill 98 is law. So now what?

A teleconference to be presented Wednesday, March 23, by the Guild Freelancers, a unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild*. A California law in effect as of the new year bars law enforcement officers from interfering with journalists covering civil disturbances. How much protection does the law, state Senate Bill 98, actually provide to journalists, […]

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Moore wins for Local President, Snyder for Freelance Representative Assembly Delegate

Moore wins for Local President, Snyder for Freelance Representative Assembly Delegate

Balloting for two local elections of the Pacific Media Workers Guild closed today at 12 pm pacific. The Local Election Committee met at 3 pm this afternoon to count the ballots and certifies the results of the Local election: For Local President • Derek Moore received 107 votes • Steve Zeltzer received 10 votes Derek […]

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Labor Board supports Guild’s charge that Chronicle unfairly intimidated developers

Labor Board supports Guild’s charge that Chronicle unfairly intimidated developers

December 10, 2021 The Pacific Media Workers Guild is proud to announce a victory in a settlement with the San Francisco Chronicle. When the Chronicle’s staff of developers chose to go through the organizing process to join the Guild, Chronicle HR held a captive audience meeting with them and threatened to lower their wages and […]

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Newsom signs journalist-protection bill

Newsom signs journalist-protection bill

Unprecedented collaboration among unions, news organizations and lawmakers statewide brings big political win in Sacramento. A Guild-supported bill protecting the First Amendment rights of journalists covering civil disturbances and other mass public events has received California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature and is to become effective on Jan. 1. Just how effective remains to be seen. […]

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Guild members receive San Francisco Press Club awards

Guild members receive San Francisco Press Club awards

The San Francisco Press Club encourages excellence in journalism by providing training, grants, scholarships and recognition for professionals and students in the Greater Bay Area. Its mission is driven by its belief in the First Amendment, integrity in reporting and the essential role of journalism in a democracy. All San Francisco Press Club 2021 awards […]

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Nominations are open for the 2022-2023 Pacific Media Workers Guild Elections

Nominations are open for the 2022-2023 Pacific Media Workers Guild Elections

Dear Guild members: It is time again for us to nominate new unit officers and for the Executive Board of our union, Pacific Media Workers Guild-CWA Local 39521.  Nominations are open for the 2022-2023 Pacific Media Workers Guild Elections The Local elections are held every 2 years and governed by our bylaws in conjunction with […]

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$1,000 Guild scholarship awarded to Benjamin Cabanatuan

$1,000 Guild scholarship awarded to Benjamin Cabanatuan

The Pacific Media Workers Guild is pleased to offer Benjamin Cabanatuan a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 from the Russ Cain Memorial Student Aid Fund. Benjamin is the son of Michael (San Francisco Chronicle Guild member) and Adrienne Cabanatuan, and will begin college at the University of Oregon this fall. In appreciation for the […]

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Guild supports bills to strengthen government transparency and protect journalists from law enforcement harassment

Guild supports bills to strengthen government transparency and protect journalists from law enforcement harassment

Sunshine, First Amendment efforts Guild officers have voted to support three California bills strengthening government transparency, to oppose a bill that would weaken it and to back a bill aimed at discouraging law enforcement officers from attacking or harassing journalists. In addition, Paul Burton, who serves with Gloria La Riva and yours truly on the […]

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Guild member Seth Rosenfeld awarded Madison Freedom of Information Award from NorCal Society of Professional Journalists

Guild member Seth Rosenfeld awarded Madison Freedom of Information Award from NorCal Society of Professional Journalists

To his already impressive list of accolades, Guild member Seth Rosenfeld has added a James Madison Award from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Northern California Chapter, for a series of articles in the San Francisco Public Press detailing how the California Public Utilities Commission kept the public from knowing of vehicle collisions and traffic safety […]

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Guild joins call to stop chasing Assange

Guild joins call to stop chasing Assange

The Guild Executive Committee has authorized the Local’s co-signing a petition by the activist group Action Network supporting a U.S. House of Representatives resolution calling for the government to end its pursuit of journalist Julian Assange. Assange is fighting extradition to the United States from Britain, accused by U.S. authorities of espionage in the wake […]

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