Touch-screen users of the world, unite! Just ask Social Movement Technologies, a non-profit that teaches progressive groups and labor unions to improve their social media skills.  

SMT recently signed a one-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Pacific Media Workers Guild that will give the company’s freelancers a contract and the protection of a union, an agreement that may be the first of its kind in the U.S. 

“This MOU is a significant achievement for our local,” said Carl Hall, executive officer of the PMWG. “Joining us is a big step toward helping non-traditional workers who need a voice at work, job security, benefits and protection from unfair discipline.”

As they attempted to cover the recent protests in Berkeley concerning the killings of unarmed black men in several states, media members were physically attacked by members of the Berkley Police Department. The following letter has been sent to Berkeley city officials.

The independent media workers of Guild Freelancers, a unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild (Newsguild-CWA Local 39521), condemn the outrageous attacks on working journalists by police in the East Bay. We unreservedly support the exercise of First Amendment rights in pursuit of the public's right to know.
Bill Snyder
Chair, Guild Freelancers

Click below to read the open letter: SPJ NorCal responds to reports of police force used on journalists in Berkeley

A stereo manufacturer sues a reviewer who pans the company’s speakers. A restaurateur mounts a legal challenge after a food critic describes the fare as inedible. A judge files a defamation suit after an article suggests he is being investigated for ethics violation.

Never mind that all these cases and many more like them went nowhere. It cost plenty to answer them.

While investigative reporters are frequently hit with court challenges, other specialties are vulnerable as well, says attorney Michelle Worrell Tilton of the Kansas City-based Media Risk Consultants. Entertainment writers are sometimes accused of copyright infringement. Food writers are frequently hit with suits, as are advice columnists –including automotive, real estate, and financial advice columnists.

In an early jump on awards season, Guild members and friends are enjoying well-deserved accolades.

Bay News Rising alumna Amanda Rhoades took first place in the 2014 International Labor Communications Association Awards for her photo essay, "Hundreds gather at City Hall to hear Supreme Court decision on gay marriage.”

The multi-talented Rhoades, who writes and shoots the news, negotiated student publication fees as union rep in the summer program’s second year.

The winners, whom the judges say “represented the best and most inspired” journalists in labor reporting, will be feted Dec. 12 at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.