Contract talks with the Associated Press are now starting. And now is the time to have a voice in the process. Only members get to vote on the contract. At this historic crossroads in journalism, can you really afford to be a bystander? Help us fight for quality journalism that attracts and retains the best through fair wages and working conditions.
Join the Guild
News Media Guild Supports Striking French AP Workers
28 Mar 2008
The News Media Guild, the union that represents U.S. AP employees, stands for quality journalism, the independence of our work from political pressures, good faith bargaining and good wages and benefits.
It shares these values with the French unions now striking The Associated Press for 24 hours because of a proposed sale of AP’s French language service to Bertrand Eveno and the Bolloré group.
While market pressures are a fact of life, we believe AP should insist that its business partners live up to quality journalism standards. Quality journalism begins with wage and benefit levels that attract and retain talented reporters. And it must include editorial independence from political pressure.
The AP has recognized the importance of employee financial dealings through its U.S. ethics policy, which is aimed at avoiding conflicts of interest that could call the credibility of its news report into question. It should apply no less a standard in its business dealings in France.
The News Media Guild supports the striking French journalism unions in their effort to reach a fair agreement that protects quality journalism.
Follow the below link to view a related press release from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ):