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Journalism of Courage
Conspicuously absent from the pages of the Washington Post today were bylines on nearly all articles, as journalists protested working conditions at the newspaper.
‘‘We think this strike sends a strong message to Post management that it’s not just the handful of us at the bargaining table who are upset with the Post but virtually everyone who’s putting out this newspaper,’’ said Union leader Rick Weiss.
The labour contract covering over 1,400 Post employees expired on May 18 and talks have been stalled over the Post’s offer of a 3.7 per cent wage increase over three years and its insistence on installing surveillance cameras throughout the post building in downtown Washington.
Only the names of writers in management positions accompanied articles today. ‘‘Reporters have the right to withhold their bylines,’’ said Post Vice-President Patricia Dunn in a statement. ‘‘Our focus will continue to be on resolving the remaining contract issues at the bargaining table,’’ she said.
Reporters, correspondents, columnists, critics and photographers plan to withhold their bylines tomorrow as well and to picket the Post today.
