Union demands Pittsburgh Post-Gazette rescind ban on some journalists covering protests
The union representing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters demanded on Monday that management rescind their ban on two black journalists covering protests over the death of George Floyd.
The situation began to unfold a week ago, according to Michael Fuoco, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, which represents most newsroom employees at the paper. Post-Gazette journalist Alexis Johnson, who had been covering protests for the paper, tweeted four photos of trash left behind at past Kenny Chesney tailgates in Pittsburgh.
“Horrifying scenes and aftermath from selfish LOOTERS who don’t care about this city!!!!!” she tweeted May 31. “…. oh wait sorry. No, these are pictures from a Kenny Chesney concert tailgate. Whoops.”
Fuoco said Post-Gazette management then pulled Johnson from protest coverage, alleging her tweet showed bias. Other reporters showed their support for Johnson on Twitter. Management, Fuoco said, responded by pulling two already published protest-related stories from the website that were written by reporters who had shown support for Johnson.
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