JAWS offers free memberships to laid-off journalists
The Journalism & Women Symposium Board of Directors is anguished to learn of the recent layoffs of nearly 1,000 media professionals across the globe, including at Gannett publications, BuzzFeed and Verizon-owned sites.
These journalists played critical roles in our democracy, speaking truth to power and informing citizens, and our world is a little worse off without them.
Layoffs in the news industry have become common in recent years as companies struggle to operate a sustainable business model and corporations acquire previously locally-owned newspapers. Meanwhile, verbal and physical attacks on the press have soared across the world, often emanating from the highest government offices. All of these changes are detrimental to the news industry and society. With fewer and fewer staffers, news organizations will increasingly struggle to justly and accurately portray the world in which we live.
In a first for JAWS, and in support of our colleagues who have recently lost their jobs, we will provide a free one-year membership to all journalists who have been laid off since Jan. 1.
To apply for your free membership, visit jaws.org and click on the “Join us!” button at the top right corner. Fill out an application for a Voting membership, then use coupon code “BITEBACK2019” to receive your free membership. If you are a new journalist who was laid off, the code is good for half off the Emerging Professional membership, which lasts 2 years. Our staff will review your application and contact you to verify your recent layoff status. This coupon expires March 1.
JAWS members receive access to our members-only Facebook group and email listserv, both of which regularly feature job and fellowship postings and information on awards. Through a partnership, JAWS members can also receive a discounted membership to AIR, for independent audio professionals.
We also urge journalists seeking employment to check out our public Twitter feed (@womenjournos) for job openings, fellowships and upcoming awards, which we share almost daily.