Freelancer Katie Jensen talks about the importance of income transparency in Canadian media
*Editor’s Note: July 28, 2017. This post has been updated to include an addendum to clarify certain points raised in the Q+A. by Vanessa Hrvatin On July 5, freelance podcast producer Katie Jensen publicly shared her 2016 net income as part of a Twitter thread she hashtagged #incometransparency. The 29-year-old has been in the freelance […]
Access Copyright Payback claim period open until May 31
The 2017 Access Copyright Payback claim period is open from April 1st to May 31. If you’re a writer or visual artist who was affiliated with Access Copyright as of December 31, 2016, now is the time to submit a claim for this year’s payment. The eligible publication years for the 2017 Payback claim are 1996 to 2015. Written and […]
Hey, CBC Freelancers, You’re Getting A Raise!
By Don Genova, CMG Freelance Branch President Journalists who contribute to the CBC on a freelance basis are now subject to new minimum rates as of April 1, 2017. The Canadian Media Guild and CBC have agreed to a 1.5% across-the-board increase in rates contained in the collective agreement. This means the rates have risen […]
2017 Public Lending Right Program registration deadline May 1
If you’re a Canadian author, illustrator or photographer with a published book, it’s time to register for the Public Lending Right Program. PLR is a Canada Council for the Arts program that distributes payments to Canadian creators to compensate them for the lending out of their books through Canadian public libraries. This year’s registration period runs from […]
Freelance Finance: By the hour, or by the word?
by Steven Threndyle Recently, a Vancouver-based company called Grizzly Coast Media created a bit of a stir online when it started posting jobs for freelancers that paid $50 for anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 words per story. If you take five hours to write 1500 words, you’re making $10 an hour. In Vancouver, where the typical […]
New UK report highlights the challenges of freelancing
This post is the eleventh in a series called “E-Lancer Writes,” exploring the working conditions, rights and collective organizing strategies of freelance journalists, interns and other low-wage or temporary digital media workers. By Errol Salamon New data confirm that the number of freelance journalists has increased across the UK since 2000 and their pay is […]
Alberta Publishing company and CEO Ruth Kelly leave their freelance content creators shivering through the winter – Hire now; pay much, much later
Edmonton, February 22, 2017 – Venture Publishing Inc. of Edmonton and its CEO Ruth Kelly have developed a disturbing business model when it comes to paying the freelance contributors hired to create articles, photos, and illustrations for the various magazines the company produces, such as Alberta Venture, Alberta Oil, and Heroes on behalf of the […]
J-Source wants you to help create a list of the best places to freelance in Canada
Earlier this month, the Columbia Journalism Review ran a great post that surveyed two dozen freelancers about the best outlets to work for. It gives a rundown of six publications that freelancers love, offering specific details about pay and editorial style. Now J-Source editor H.G. Watson wants to create a Canadian version. She put out a […]
Webinar: “The Savvy Freelancer’s Guide to Contract Negotiation”
Negotiating contracts is one of the most challenging parts of freelancing. To help you out with that, CMG Freelance has planned a webinar called “The Savvy Freelancer’s Guide to Contract Negotiation.” It’s scheduled for Wednesday, February 15 at 6 PM EST and will be led by author and freelance writer Ann Douglas. Negotiating a writing contract doesn’t have to […]
Canadian freelancers turn to the US market to secure higher-paying gigs
This post is the tenth in a series called “E-Lancer Writes,” exploring the working conditions, rights and collective organizing strategies of freelance journalists, interns and other low-wage or temporary digital media workers. By Errol Salamon When Canadian-based freelancer Katherine O’Brien started working as a web content and blog writer, she hadn’t made a conscious […]
