News sites offer workers alternatives to mainstream media bias Sites easily accessible, linked from CSEA website It’s rare to find news that reflects the interests of working people in the mainstream media. Many of these stories often simply ignored, or twisted in ridiculous ways into stories that are at best misleading. But at a time when most people can access the Internet and social media for information that matters, CSEA members have options to get accurate, meaningful news from many reputable sources, including CSEA’s website at www.cseany.org, CSEA Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. In addition to dynamic information and news affecting CSEA members, the union hosts links to important labor news channels, LaborPress, UCOMM Communications and Western New York (WNY) Labor Today. They provide valuable news and features that offer alternatives to the mainstream media, including stories about people, issues and events that many mainstream media organizations overlook. “These are tremendously important media outlets for people who want to be well informed about things that are important to working people,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “The mainstream media is largely failing to represent the larger public interest, let alone tell the truth about people and communities that are struggling.” LaborPress is a news, information and advocacy resource for working people with a focus on news and information affecting the New York Metropolitan area. It provides its features in several multimedia ways. Visit LaborPress at www. laborpress.org. A link to LaborPress is available on the home page of CSEA’s website. Local uses web to speak truth to power Many CSEA locals also use an online presence to share important information with members and the general public. One strong example is the Monroe County Local’s blog, The Voice Reporter, which is edited by local officer and labor activist Ove Overmyer. “We needed to create our own news site and web presence to mobilize our members and educate the community on issues more accurately than what they might find in the mainstream media,” Overmyer said. “Our mission at the Voice Reporter has always been dedicated to speaking truth to power and giving a voice to working Americans.” Visit the Voice Reporter at voiceforthemembersslate.blogspot.com. Long Island-based UCOMM Communications provides radio and website news, interviews and features that are easy to access. It is also linked on the CSEA home page, but can be accessed directly at www.ucommworks.com WNY Labor Today, based in Buffalo, also fills a void left by the mainstream media. Editor Tom Campbell covers important labor news affecting Western New York and beyond. It features print, audio and video features. Access WNY Labor Today via the CSEA website or visit www. wnylabortoday.com. CSEA members should use the log-in name of csea@cseainc.org (all lower case) and the password CSEA (all upper case) for full access to the site. 12 The Work Force January 2015
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