Curious about unions for media workers, Six Russian journalists beginning a three-week tour of the United States visited with the Guild’s top leadership Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

Five of the reporters, writers and editors were women and most were in their 20s or early 30s. Their trip is part of a professional exchange program coordinated by the U.S. Department of State.

With the aid of a translator, the Russian journalists asked Guild President Bernie Lunzer and Secretary-Treasurer Carol Rothman about the union’s role in training in the digital age and how older workers are adjusting, how the Guild looks out for members’ safety on the job, what happens when journalists or union leaders violate ethics, and general questions about the union’s structure and history.

Lunzer explained how dramatically the American media landscape has changed in recent years, and that digital technology is only part of the reason. He described how media companies have slashed tens of thousands of jobs and “disinvested” in their product.

He said Guild members understand the value of their product and care more about its quality and future than today’s corporate owners do.

“The future of journalism will be determined by the journalists, not by the owners,” he said.