TNG-CWA Condemns 'Closed Door' Policy in Senate Proceedings, Deliberations

The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America called on the United States Senate to provide the public with a full and unfiltered view of the impeachment trial of President Clinton.

The TNG-CWA executive board, meeting in Washington, strongly opposed the intent of the Senate to conduct major portions of its deliberations behind closed doors, and instead called on senators to carry out their responsibilities "in the full glare of media and public scrutiny."

The board urged senators to follow the advice of Senators Tom Harkin and Paul Wellstone, who have proposed that the Senate conduct its proceedings openly, not in secret.

"America's democracy can survive these proceedings, no matter what the outcome. But when the people's business begins to be done in secret, that democracy is threatened and Americans are cheated of one of their most fundamental rights- to know what their representatives are doing and to hold them accountable," the TNG resolution stated.

TNG-CWA represents some 35,000 media workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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