Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 6-12
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Applications open for 2018 Magazines Canada Fellowship Program [Magazines Canada]
- Top Five Ways to Spot Fake News [J-Source]
- Discourse Media is launching a membership platform and local news fellowships [Nieman Lab]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- 5 soft skills that every freelancer should have [Freelancers Union]
- Tip: Bookmark this advice for pitching feature articles [Journalism.co.uk]
- These tools will help you find the right images for your stories [Poynter]
- Amp Up Your Freelance Writing! Resolve to Network in 2018 [The Write Life]
- How to win new clients through cold emailing [Freelancers Union]
- 5 Universal Annoyances That Test Your Patience as a Freelancer [The Freelancer]
Recently on Story Board:
- Story Board joins National NewsMedia Council: The National NewsMedia Council is Canada’s national press council. It was established in 2015 to promote ethical practices within the news media as well as to review and adjudicate complaints from the public…
- National Writers Union settles freelance non-payment grievance: The National Writers Union settled a grievance last week on behalf of twenty freelancers who are owed money by the American science magazine Nautilus…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
Story Board joins National NewsMedia Council
Story Board is now a member of the National NewsMedia Council. 
The NNC is Canada’s national press council. It was established in 2015 to promote ethical practices within the news media as well as to review and adjudicate complaints from the public.
Most of the English-language daily and community papers in Canada belong to the NNC, as do a number of Canadian magazines and new media organizations. Papers in Quebec and Alberta are served by separate provincial press councils.
Like the other member publications, Story Board pays a fee to belong to the NNC. All member publications agree to abide by the decisions the Council makes with regards to complaints from the public. The Council considers complaints that concern accuracy, fairness of coverage and attribution, among other areas of concern.
For more on the National NewsMedia Council’s purpose and process, check out their website.
National Writers Union settles freelance non-payment grievance
The National Writers Union settled a grievance last week on behalf of twenty freelancers who are owed money by the American science magazine Nautilus.
The NWU, an American trade union that represents freelance writers, published an open letter to Nautilus in December stating that the magazine was in breach of multiple contracts and owed a collective debt to freelancers that totalled $50,000
Nautilus freelancer Jessica Siegel is quoted on the NWU’s website saying freelancers had been struggling individually for more than a year to collect what they were owed by the magazine. The NWU’s successful settlement, she says, demonstrates the power of freelancers joining together and acting collectively to get results.
This is only one example of the action the NWU has undertaken recently on behalf of freelancers. The union is involved in other freelance non-payment grievances, including a lawsuit against Ebony magazine on behalf of a group of writers who are owed more than $80,000 by the magazine.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan 30-Feb 5
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Times Colonist cuts four staff just weeks after call for voluntary resignations [J-Source]
- Journalists’ attitudes towards activism are shifting. Are newsroom policies keeping up? [J-Source]
- TWUC Short Prose Competition deadline February 15 [TWUC]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- The importance of solidarity in 2018 – the small steps that we can all take [Freelancers Union]
- A Little Reminder of Why Media Unions Matter [Splinter]
- NWU and Nautilus settle $60,000 non-payment grievance [National Writers Union]
- The Writer’s Guide to Avoiding Side-Hustle Burnout [The Write Life]
- Freelancing abroad in a world obsessed with Trump [CJR]
- Kit and advice for shooting and editing with a smartphone [Journalism.co.uk]
- The power of awful [offal] first drafts [Poynter]
- Tip: Use these tools to keep your sources and digital work safe [Journalism.co.uk]
- Goodbye Contributor Network. And thanks for nothing [Poynter]
- Advice for navigating the vital but vulnerable world of freelance journalism [Journalism.co.uk]
- 3 incentive programs that can help increase your clientele [Freelancers Union]
- When writers talk about what they want from editors [Jack Limpert]
Recently on Story Board:
- CMG Freelance members get access to free photography training through KelbyOne: Are you a professional photographer in need of a skills upgrade? Or would you like to improve your photography abilities in order to diversify your freelance business? One of the benefits of membership in CMG Freelance is access to the online training platform KelbyOne…
- New tool for seeking diverse journalism sources: Freelance writers and journalists looking for ways to bring diversity into their reporting have a new tool at their disposal. Request A Woman Scientist helps journalists find scientific expertise from women for everything from interviews and panel discussions to workshops and conference keynotes…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
New tool for seeking diverse journalism sources
Freelance writers and journalists looking for ways to bring diversity into their reporting have a new tool at their disposal.
Request A Woman Scientist helps journalists find scientific expertise from women for everything from interviews and panel discussions to workshops and conference keynotes.
The site was created by 500 Women Scientists, a grassroots organization based in the U.S. that’s working to build community and advocate for science, women, and minorities. The Request a Women Scientist project aims to close the pervasive gender gap in the media and on conference panels — research shows that men’s and women’s voices are not equally represented when it comes to expert sources quoted in news stories.
Request A Woman Scientist allows users to narrow down searches by location, field of expertise, and level of education. It also allows searchers to seek out women scientists from other underrepresented groups
The website also suggests a number of additional resources to help journalists diversity their reporting, including the website Diverse Sources — a database of science, health and environment experts from underrepresented backgrounds — and Women Also Know Stuff, which promotes and publicizes the work of women political scientists.
CMG Freelance members get access to free photography training through KelbyOne
Are you a professional photographer in need of a skills upgrade? Or would you like to improve your photography abilities in order to diversify your freelance business?
One of the benefits of membership in CMG Freelance is access to the online training platform KelbyOne, which has over 700 training modules on photography, Photoshop and Lightroom.
CMG Freelance members can request full access to the site for a two-week period. When each period runs out, members can reapply for access. There are a limited number of accounts for use by union members, so there may be a short waiting list at times. During your access period, you’ll have unlimited access to the KelbyOne online learning resources.
You’ll also be able to get discounts through all of KelbyOne’s business partners, which include Apple, Adobe, and B&H Photo.
KelbyOne is focused on photography skills, but CMG Freelance members also get access to Lynda.com, which offers video training modules in creative fields like design, audio, music and photography, as well as business, marketing and more.
To request access to either KelbyOne or Lynda.com, members can email CMG Freelance branch president Don Genova at freelance@cmg.ca for further instructions.
If you’re not yet a CMG Freelance member, you can find out more about the cost and other benefits of membership right here.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan 23-29
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Ottawa poised to help newspapers in upcoming budget [CBC]
- Message to co-workers at VICE Canada on a difficult day [CMG]
- CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalist Fellowships [CJF]
- Student newspapers are thriving environments for aspiring journalists [J-Source]
- Rogers severs joint venture with Vice Canada [Canadian Magazines]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- The Internet is Enabling a New Kind of Poorly Paid Hell [The Atlantic]
- The Gig Economy Is Especially Susceptible to Sexual Harassment [New Yorker]
- 10 tips that will turn you into an epic freelancer [Freelancers Union]
- Going Digital: Inside New Science Journalism Outlets [The Open Notebook]
- There’s a new award for freelancers (and it comes with $100,000) [Poynter]
- Will Work For No Benefits: The Challenges Of Being In The New Contract Workforce [NPR]
- Kim Wall Memorial Fund inaugural grant open [IWMF]
Recently on Story Board:
- Winter Media Mixer February 13 in Toronto: Enjoy free snacks and drinks as you make connections with your colleagues working in the media. There will be mentors from several media outlets in attendance, including VICE, CBC, Corus Entertainment and the Canadian Press…
- Top Five Ways to Spot Fake News: Calling the morgue to confirm whether an employee was cremated while having a nap is not fun, says Jane Lytvynenko. But for contemporary journalists, this kind of fact-checking task is an important part of the job.
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
Winter Media Mixer February 13 in Toronto
Toronto-area media students and freelancers, you’re invited to a free mixer on Tuesday, February 13 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Watson’s (388 Richmond St W).
Enjoy free snacks and drinks as you make connections with your colleagues working in the media. There will be mentors from several media outlets in attendance, including VICE, CBC, Corus Entertainment and the Canadian Press. This event has been organized by CWA Canada, the country’s only all media union, with 6,000 members at media companies and newspapers coast to coast.
Tickets are free, but please register to reserve your space at this link. This venue is wheelchair accessible and has gender-neutral washrooms.
Top Five Ways to Spot Fake News
by Bailey Martens
BuzzFeed Canada’s Jane Lytvynenko speaks at NASH. Photo by Bailey Martens
Calling the morgue to confirm whether an employee was cremated while having a nap is not fun, says Jane Lytvynenko. But for contemporary journalists, this kind of fact-checking task is an important part of the job.
Lytvynenko, an investigative reporter for BuzzFeed Canada, ran a session at the 80th annual NASH journalism conference in Toronto, Canada. Her session focused on fake news and equipped journalism students to be able to identify it and stop it from spreading.
Lytvynenko started her session with cute puppy gifs, as only a BuzzFeed reporter would, but moved quickly on to explain the difference between fake news and misinformation. Understanding the difference allows journalists to be able to properly talk about the problem, she said.
Fake news is news that is entirely false, said Lytvynenko, as opposed to misinformation, which is a twisted version of the truth.
Common examples of fake news stories include doctored images, videos or photos described as being from the wrong event, and health scams.
Lytvynenko said there are five important questions to ask about fake news.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan 16-22
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- How to write an elevator pitch [Robyn Roste]
- Freelancers, unions use social media to build online, offline community [J-Source]
- A post on interviewing from doctor-turned-writer Vivien Fellegi [PWAC Toronto]
- As local media outlets close, Ontario mayors struggle with how to get information to the public [J-Source]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- The Guardian heads back into the black [Economist]
- How The LA Times Union Won [Huffington Post]
- HuffPost, Breaking From Its Roots, Ends Unpaid Contributions [New York Times]
- 13 things I’ve learned in 13 years of freelancing [Poynter]
- Can slowing down make you more productive? [Freelancers Union]
- “We stepped in and started doing it”: How one woman built an award-winning news outlet from her dining room table [Nieman Lab]
- 6 rules for freelancing happiness [Freelancers Union]
Recently on Story Board:
- 2017 SABEW Canada Best in Business awards open for submissions: Freelance business writers, it’s time to get your application together for the SABEW Canada Best in Business awards. The 4th annual awards will be given to work published or broadcast during the 2017 calendar year.
- Andree Lau on increasing diversity in reporting and the newsroom: As newsrooms across the country strive for greater diversity, HuffPost Canada editor-in-chief Andree Lau says there’s a need for a much more nuanced approach than simply “checking the boxes”…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
