The coverage of McDonald’s workers’ one-day strike by Denver Post journalists Kristen Leigh Painter and RJ Sangosti was reminiscent of a long-lost era of strong labor reporting, but with the use of modern reporting tools and online speed.
Painter’s story included the facts regarding pay — the issue employees were striking over — a firsthand account of what happened at the action and quotes from participants, not spokespeople. The photos and video captured the essence of the event and all of the content was online before the last protester left the parking lot.
There was a time when reporters regularly covered workers’ issues and struggles, but the labor beat has gone the way of so many other beats, the victims of newsroom reorganizations and cost cutting.
It was nice to see some old fashioned labor reporting in the Post, with the new-media additions.
Image source: Kheel Center, Cornell University via photopin cc
