SAG-AFTRA

Summer 2014

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SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2014 | SAG-AFTRA 15 Broadcast News BSC MEMBERS AFFIRM SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL SHIELD LAW M embers of the Broadcast Steering Committee reasserted their support for a strong federal shield law at their regular meeting held in the New York office on June 7. The BSC action followed an update by the committee's chair, Joe Krebs, on the James Risen case. Risen, a New York Times reporter and author, faces prison time if he refuses to testify and reveal his sources regarding a botched CIA operation in Iran. The Supreme Court declined to review his case in June, opening the door to allow prosecutors to compel his testimony. The BSC's support of a federal shield law comes at a time when S. 987, "The Free Flow of Information Act of 2013," is due to be voted on by the Senate this fall. Although 49 states and the District of Columbia recognize some form of a reporter's privilege, no such recognition exists on the federal level. The Free Flow of Information Act was first introduced in 2006 and has been reintroduced every session to date. The bill aims to establish a federal shield law providing significant protections to journalists. SAG-AFTRA is asking members who feel comfortable doing so to voice their support for the bill by calling their representatives and telling them to vote for S. 987. To take action, visit the Government Affairs section of the SAG- AFTRA website at sagaftra.org/government-affairs-public- policy/federal-issues. PRESIDENT HOWARD VISITS D.C. I n April, SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with broadcast members and listen to their concerns. His first stop, on April 25, was to be interviewed by Maggie Linton of the Maggie Linton Show. He then toured National Public Radio, where he met NPR newscaster Jamie McIntyre, above right, National Broadcast Steering Committee Chair and National Board member Joe Krebs, NPR talk show host Susan Stamberg and Washington-Mid Atlantic Local Board member and NPR News anchor Jack Speer. The following day, Howard visited the National Newseum with Washington-Mid Atlantic Local Executive Director Pat O'Donnell, Newseum producer/host Frank Bond, Local Board member and WUSA-TV shop steward Bruce Leshan, Krebs and Speer. Krebs appreciated the visit and Howard's willingness to take the time to understand the issues that are important to broadcasters. "I want to thank President Ken Howard for the time and attention he gave to broadcasters during his recent visit to the Washington-Mid Atlantic Local. It was great to have him here. His interest and encouragement only underscores the desire of broadcasters to remain vital and enthusiastic participants and leaders in the life of SAG-AFTRA," he said. MEMBERS RATIFY KPCC DEAL K PCC news staff agreed in August to terms of a first-ever SAG-AFTRA contract with management at Southern California Public Radio. The new three-year contract covers more than 70 staff who work on the air and online, and includes guaranteed wage increases per year for the term of the contract, minimum scales for each job title and accompanying job descriptions, improvements in matters affecting the newsroom and employer-sponsored benefits on the same basis as non- represented employees. In May, SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with Entercom for talent working at two San Francisco Bay Area stations, KOIT and KBLX, following the launch of a Save Local Radio social media campaign led by SAG-AFTRA. REMEMBERING MARGOT ADLER M argot Adler, a veteran NPR correspondent, passed away July 28 at the age of 68, leaving behind a broadcast and SAG-AFTRA legacy that spans four decades. Adler spent many years as an AFTRA activist and shop steward at NPR, working behind the scenes on behalf of fellow staffers. The granddaughter of psychotherapist Alfred Adler, Margot Adler quickly established her career at NPR, beginning in 1979 in New York. She was one of the network's first reporters based outside Washington, D.C., and reported stories about the Ku Klux Klan, the earliest stages of the AIDS epidemic and the Sept. 11 attacks. She spent a decade hosting NPR's Justice Talking, a program focused on constitutional issues. MICHAEL PARAS/NPR CLICK HERE for more

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