Controversy has erupted within the NewsGuild of New York, a union representing journalists from leading publications like The New York Times, Reuters and Condé Nast, following allegations that a staff member posted inflammatory tweets targeting Zionists. The New York Post reported that the staffer in question allegedly referred to Zionists as “butchers” and “depraved monsters” on social media.
In response to a flood of complaints from union members, the NewsGuild has launched an investigation into the matter, with the law firm Cohen, Weiss, and Simon tasked with conducting the probe. The findings are expected to be released within the next thirty days.
The issue came to a head during a union meeting originally convened to discuss a proposed increase in dues. However, the focus quickly shifted when a reporter questioned the rationale behind using union funds to pay the salaries of staff members whose actions seem to undermine their own colleagues. Other members echoed this sentiment, expressing frustration over the use of their dues for both the salaries of controversial union representatives and the legal scrutiny they necessitated.
The controversy escalated following a New York Post report that unearthed inflammatory tweets by Nastaran Mohit, the organizing director of the NewsGuild. Mohit’s contentious remarks allegedly extended beyond Israel, with a now-deleted tweet accusing participants of the 2023 New York Times Dealbook Summit, including notable figures like Elon Musk and Bob Iger, of being “the world’s biggest criminals.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Benjamin Dictor, a top labor attorney whose firm has been financially linked with the NewsGuild, also allegedly made provocative statements about Israel’s actions in Gaza, further intensifying the scrutiny faced by the union.
As the investigation unfolds, union members are demanding swift action to address the concerns raised and ensure that their dues are being used in a manner that aligns with their values and interests.
