Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535197
44 SAG-AFTR A | Spring 2025 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News SAG-AFTRA Broadcasters Mentor the Next Generation S AG-AFTRA Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler has been mentoring the next generation of industry pros for many years. In early March, Butler spoke with students at Fresno State's Media, Communications and Journalism Department. He was joined by SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local member and KSEE reporter Viviana Hinojos, who recently graduated from the program herself. The class put perspective into practice when they moved to the studio where, under the guidance of their professor, Local member and KSEE anchor Emily Erwin, they broadcast their live weekly student-run newscast, Fresno State Focus. The next day, Butler joined Local broadcast staff in Fresno on two station visits, followed by a Local broadcast member mixer. Broadcast Steering Committee Meets in Person O n Dec. 7, the Broadcast Steering Committee convened in Los Angeles for its first in-person meeting since 2019. Chief Broadcast Officer Mary Cavallaro was joined by key member leaders, including BSC Co-Chairs Cheri Preston and Tracee Wilkins, plus union staff, to give national updates on organizing, negotiations, trending issues, programming and member engagement. The committee took a closer look at innovative contract language and initiatives achieved in 2024, with key input from shop leaders across the country sharing their experiences both bargaining and implementing new ideas. Members and staff went on to give station updates on different ownership groups and a look ahead at priorities for negotiations in 2025. The committee also continued to engage in an ongoing discussion to address and educate members on artificial intelligence in the broadcast industry. On March 29, the committee Above, Steve Simpson of WCCO-AM, Lauren O'Neil of WKQX-FM, Toby Knapp of WASH-FM, Monica Avery of KYW-TV and Natasha Brown of KYW-TV at the Broadcast Steering Committee meeting. Left, National Board member Jessica Medina-Day of KFSN-TV, Andrew Bowen of KPBS-FM/TV and Tyler Boudreaux of KCRW-FM. SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler, front row, right, with broadcast members and students of Fresno State's Media, Communications and Journalism Dept. reconvened via Zoom for their first meeting of the new year, where members and staff continued the conversation around artificial intelligence. The committee welcomed Al Tompkins, senior faculty for broadcast and online at the Poynter Institute for a presentation on ways that journalists use A.I. today and potentially will use it in the future, including a discussion of both positive examples and threats. Executive Vice President Linda Powell also joined and gave unionwide updates, followed by SAG-AFTRA National Director, News & Broadcast/Senior Labor Counsel Josh Mendelsohn, who gave a topline overview of U.S. Labor Law and the key components of good-faith bargaining. The committee plans to continue both virtual and in-person meetings in 2025, with the next meeting scheduled for June.