"We think this [byline strike] sends a strong message to Post management that it's not just the handful of us at the bargaining table who are upset with the Post's position but virtually everyone who's putting out this newspaper," said reporter and union leader Rick Weiss, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

The labor contract covering more than 1,400 Post employees expired May 18 and talks have been stalled over the Post's offer of a 3.7 percent wage increase over three years and its insistence on installing surveillance cameras throughout the Post building in downtown Washington, said AFP.

Only the names of writers in management positions accompanied articles Wednesday.

"Reporters have the right to withhold their bylines," said Post vice president Patricia Dunn in a statement. "Our focus will continue to be on resolving the remaining contract issues at the bargaining table."

The Washington Post has the fifth-largest paid U.S. circulation, with 775,000 daily.

Reporters, correspondents, columnists, critics and photographers plan to withhold their bylines on Thursday, June 6, as well.

Post writers are represented by the Newspaper Guild, which also represents AFP writers in Washington.

The issue of personal freedom violations has recently come under the limelight in U.S. media which has been facing an indirect censorship, which made the motto of the media environment in America: ‘Put up or Shut Up’.