This article explores the contentious relationship between trade union activists and the news. Social media offers trade union activists the opportunity to engage in citizen-led news production that prioritises the trade union discourses. However, the relationship remains a difficult one. This article engages with some of the ideas explored in social movement studies to further understanding of how trade union activists engage with citizen-led media production in the globalised sphere of political protest. Using semi-structured interviews as part of a pilot project, it explores some of the key themes that have shaped participants ability to engage with news production, such as surveillance and inequality. The activists in the sample group had some media training for traditional news outlets but lacked preparation for digital communication during industrial disputes. They found it challenging to create newsworthy stories due to the technical nature of workplace disputes and faced barriers in implementing strategic communication plans, often preferring face-to-face interactions over digital campaigns. This raises questions about the usefulness of digital platforms in trade union campaigning, as well as the ability of activists to participate in such activities fully and completely.
Cate Correia Hopkins (Mon,) studied this question.
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