Calling on unpaid writers of the Huffington Post to withhold their work in support of a strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://broadcastunionnews.blogspot.com/2011/03/support-huffington-post-bloggers.html

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Support Huffington Post Bloggers

The Newspager Guild Guild is calling on unpaid writers of the Huffington Post to withhold their work in support of a strike launched by Visual Arts Source in response to the company’s practice or using unpaid labor. In addition, we are asking that our members and all supporters of fair and equitable compensation for journalists join us in shining a light on the unprofessional and unethical practices of this company.


Just as we would ask writers to stand fast and not cross a physical picket line, we ask that they honor this electronic picket line.

The Newspaper Guild, a 26,000-member-strong national union of media workers, is committed to fair compensation for all workers, whether they are freelance bloggers or traditional employees. We are further committed to promoting quality journalism. Working for free does not benefit workers and undermines quality journalism.

In response to the Huffington Post’s refusal to compensate its thousands of writers in the wake of its $315 merger with AOL, the Newspaper Guild has requested a meeting with company officials to discuss ways the Huffington Post might demonstrate its commitment to quality journalism. Thus far, the request has been ignored.

Arianna got millions; we got bylines

After building a media empire based on declining to pay some writers and republishing the work of others, the Huffington Post was sold for to AOL for $315 million. We are calling on Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington to invest in quality journalism by sharing a portion of her fortune with the people who made her successful.

The Newspaper Guild has joined with Visual Arts Source in a campaign calling for Arianna Huffington to demonstrate her commitment to the value of journalism by paying fair wages to her bloggers.

FULL story at link.

[Ed Suspicious]

1. Sounds good but...

Looks like the editors are already on strike.

"$315 merger with AOL"

[The Doctor.]

2. Well, if I couldn't write here for free,

Then I would consider it. I really think there's no danger of the new Cyborg Huff-po acquiring real talent.