No, it's a not a story from the Onion. It's AFP reporting on the actions of Associated Press photographers and journalists:
US news agency staff stage 'byline strike'
Journalists and photographers at the US news agency the Associated Press (AP) are withholding their bylines to protest management's stance in contract talks, their union said.
"Staffers recognize the tough times, but they also understand that quality journalism at AP means attracting and retaining the best employees," Tony Winton, president of the News Media Guild, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Guild said AP reporters and photographers were withholding bylines and personal equipment "in protest over the news agency's proposals that would threaten job security, dramatically raise medical costs, and freeze wages."
Yeah, that'll show em.
A later excerpt from the same AFP item:
..... The Guild said there has been agreement on a handful of articles, "but the sides remain far apart."
It said management had proposed a wage freeze in the first year of a two-year agreement, followed by a two percent increase the following year.
The Guild said it had opened with a 10 percent wage increase proposal, "but has indicated flexibility at the bargaining table."
Besides withholding bylines from stories and photographs, the Guild said some employees "planned to withhold use of their personal vehicles, cellphones, and other equipment, while others were 'working to rule.'"
So it seems that in addition to playing Name That Party with AP stories that either fail to mention or belatedly mention the party affiliation of Democratic politicians in trouble, we will also be temporarily playing Name That Journo.
Will anyone really care? Roger Simon at Pajamas Media has the best answer to that question:
News service reporters are not even as well known as bloggers. I mean whose names are more famous to the general public at his point - Glenn Reynolds, Michelle Malkin and (yikes) Markos Moulitsas or [insert any Associated Press writer here]?
In fact, one might argue that blogs such as NB have done more to make individual AP reporters famous/infamous than just about anyone else.
More seriously, if you ever wondered why militant union actions get favorable coverage from the wire services, it's because many of those who gather and report the news are fairly militant union members themselves.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Who Cares?
December 16, 2008 - 23:35 ET by Saint ZeroThey all write crap any way. It doesn't matter what name they stick on it, it'll stink just the same.
Journalists and
December 16, 2008 - 23:38 ET by SvenJournalists and photographers at the US news agency the Associated Press (AP) are withholding their bylines to protest management's stance in contract talks, their union said.
Keep it up guys! Your self importance is blinding you from the fact that your livelyhood is going down the drain as we speak. Doubt me? Ask your friends/collegues at NYT's, Boston Globe and McClatchy News Service.
You just have to love the free market. Even libs aren't immune to its laws! ;-)
→ Great Article
December 16, 2008 - 23:41 ET by Cool ArrowI'd like to compliment the author, but obviously he/she is usually so ashamed of his/her work, he/she didn't bother to give his/her name.
Pity. Great article from a no-name writer.
Be proud of your name - Anonymous
The Big Question
December 16, 2008 - 23:42 ET by CaringwhiteguyIf AP reporters withhold their bylines how will we know who's lying to us?
Withholding their byline is a good start.
December 17, 2008 - 00:03 ET by superconI would prefer it if they withheld their opinions disguised as news.
More seriously, if you ever
December 17, 2008 - 00:29 ET by bigtimerMore seriously, if you ever wondered why militant union actions get favorable coverage from the wire services, it's because many of those who gather and report the news are fairly militant union members themselves.
Hear! Hear! Tom...you summed the whole kit-and-caboodle up perfectly.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Now if we can just get the APers to withhold their stories.
December 17, 2008 - 00:43 ET by R D Helm:-)
-Dave
Will work for beer.
I've never been on strike
December 17, 2008 - 00:48 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveI've never been on strike and I've never been a member of a union, but is not the idea behind going on strike to leverage your position of value (or power) to get what you want. It seems these "journalists" are trying to leverage skills that most people have without going to journalism schools. Anyone with a $200 digital camera can take great pictures these days and just about anyone can come up with an honest byline within seconds. These journalism jobs are a dime a dozen...virtually anyone can do it, so it stands to reason that because the skills (and I use that term loosely) involved in this type of work are quite common, the value of that "skill" will decrease as there is an over-abundance of supply to fill the ever-dwindling demand.
This is high school economics, folks!
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." --Robert A. Heinlein, "Beyond This Horizon," 1942
Dr. Love....Once again
December 17, 2008 - 00:51 ET by bigtimerDr. Love....
Once again you have prescribed the perfect remedy.
Priceless.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Without bylines...
December 17, 2008 - 00:49 ET by MightyMouth...can we expect an increase in lies and photoshopped pics (if that is possible?)?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Mighty...If that is even
December 17, 2008 - 00:56 ET by bigtimerMighty...
If that is even possible is right!
Knowing them...it is...if there's a will, there's a way.
Time will tell, that's for sure.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Hi Bt.
December 17, 2008 - 01:18 ET by MightyMouthImagine a "journalist" with the anonymity of the internet! They can print whatever and not be responsible! This is not right, and btw another reason unions suck!
Proud non-member of any union ever!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
So, are bloggers crossing a picket line?
December 17, 2008 - 01:01 ET by legacyrepublicanIt has been a long time since I can remember a strike hitting the news industry, but times have changed.
So, by blogging, are we going to be crossing a picket line.
I just betcha that this will be just another excuse to regulate and out of control Internet according to the union wackos.
lr... I wouldn't doubt it
December 17, 2008 - 01:05 ET by bigtimerlr...
I wouldn't doubt it one bit, I have posted on and off the govt./congress has just been itching to find a way to get hold of the internet, not just for free speech either...$$$$ goes with it.
They eventually get one tiny grasp, that is all it's going to take to eventually get a stronghold.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
For myself
December 17, 2008 - 03:31 ET by Warner Todd HustonWell, Tom, for myself, I was hit hard by this news. I wasn't sure if I could get out of bed when I found out that the AP writers were all upset like that. Somehow I struggled through, of course, but it's only because I am a trooper!
WTH ....
December 17, 2008 - 06:52 ET by Tom Blumer.... People like you keep this country going. :-->
Newsroom unions
December 17, 2008 - 05:35 ET by islero47For some reason, I never really connected the quality of journalism with the newspaper union. I had simply understood it as a person needs to be liberal to work for a paper, or be very, very persistent, if conservative. I thought ideology and political slant were more important than finding quality writers, but now I realize that there are possibly plenty of liberal capable of perfoming journalists' duties better, but they can't get hired because the slacker journalists don't get fired. Jayson Blair did get fired, right? Did he get any jail time? After that, I can't belive that the NYT retained any credibility at all, as though they should have any in the first place.
I just don't understand how union workers can think any form of socialism is a good idea. Especially after cutbacks, strikes, and general dissastisfaction with management. And they want to transfer all those wonderful things to government. Ugh.
Sarah Palin/Jason Lewis 2012
Obama, pathological nacissist: http://www.faithfree...
Oh YEA!! Now I can apply!
December 17, 2008 - 07:26 ET by AJBHey, AP! Here's my resume. Let's talk TURKEY! I wants to works for you.
1. Reads and writes english real good. Even gooder at nite.
2. Voted straight democratical ticket several times this past election
3. Gay pride parade supporter and marcher
4. Aferican-Amurican parade marcher to. Hold up Jesse Jackson bannor.
5. Wathces MSNBC. Loves me some Olbermen.
6. Voted eight times last election.
7. Good memory sorta
8. Can rite interstin stuff. Here is list of last four articles: Bush causes Global Warming, Bush to Blame for Chernobyl, Bush Causes Freeway Crash in New Mexico (international coverage!!!), Bush caused Great Depression, Bush to Blame for Athlete's Foot
9. Appeared on Cops twice.. I was the one in the white tee shirt with the bloody lips
10. Didn't say nothin about being offered Senate seat in you-know-where
So, you can sees I'm be very qualified to writes for you. Please send me large check now. I can start. Here's first title: Bush to blame for October Revolution -- Lenin to Receive Award for Humanitarian Efforts
That was you.
December 17, 2008 - 09:51 ET by T-Bone MassI wrote "Murder is bad if you are a cow or a rapist" and "Bush at center of breast cancer causes"
Damn AJB!
December 17, 2008 - 12:41 ET by RackieThere is so much to work with here AJB but I regretably must pass 'cause I "took the pledge" to be nice on the net so I'll do 11-20 in my head.
Aw common
December 17, 2008 - 13:03 ET by AJByou KNOW you want to... you KNOW you HAVE to... give it to me, Rackie!!!
Show me the money!
December 17, 2008 - 12:32 ET by RackieRead about AP and Reuters on Wiki. Good stuff. AP is suffering due to clients canceling their service and learn why UK based Reuters sold their soul to Canada richest man.