J-Topics

Jun 26, 2011 - Posted by Claude Adams

She called herself a journalist; her critics called her a propagandist. She was vilified as a nutcase, a drunk, a fraud, a Taliban-lover, even a traitor. Nevertheless, Beverley Giesbrecht did something few Canadians dared to do--to venture into Pakistan's tribal regions with a video camera, looking for the "truth" about the jihadist insurgency. And she died under the most wretched circumstances. Her story, by freelancer Claude Adams.

An open letter to the Globe and Mail from an unpaid freelancer

Mar 23, 2011 - Posted by Dana Lacey

After six fruitless months spent chasing an unpaid invoice from The Globe and Mail, freelance journalist Nino Ricci wrote the paper an open letter. Ricco wrote a travel story for the Globe's much-hyped Oct 2 redesign issue. He's yet to be paid.

In a hilariously understated tone, Ricci describes his contract with the paper ("At The Globe’s insistence I was also allowed to put all my expenses on my own credit card rather than on The Globe’s, thus accumulating points toward eventual free travel.")

New Globe freelance policy includes Toronto Life, Chatelaine as competitors

Feb 16, 2011 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Globe and Mail staff may no longer freelance for Toronto Life or Chatelaine because the magazines are now considered competitors, TheStoryBoard.ca reports, adding "What’s more, the same policy applies to freelancers who contribute to the paper, most of whom don’t earn enough from the Globe to support themselves."

Ian Brown on why you should write

Oct 05, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

There’s never been a better time to be a storyteller. Writer Ian Brown on escaping the 24-hour news cycle and the hidden opportunity for long-process, long-form journalism.

"I'm not your errand monkey": freelancers

Aug 10, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

If you work from home, you may have already fallen victim to prejudice. Namely, that your office-bound friends and family dump errands and the occasional child on you...

New Rogers freelance contract demands rights for "all forms of media"

Jul 20, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Rogers Publishing's new freelance contract requires freelancers sign away their rights to allow the media giant to publish their articles across multiple platforms, "presumably for the same freelance payment," D.B. Scott reports...

Magazine writers slow to take up multimedia

Jul 06, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

As the digital age continues to creep into every aspect of journalism, Susan Currie Sivek asks: why aren't magazines tapping freelancers for multimedia?

Freelancers prepare for battle

Jul 06, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Freelance writers march into war. The cause: increased rates, rights and respect. The enemy: publishers like Transcontinental. Who will retreat first? This week we feature Melissa Wilson's story from the summer issue of the Ryerson Review of Journalism...

Tyee fellowship final countdown

Jun 09, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

With just 3 days left to donate, The Tyee's Investigative and Reporting fellowships are just $1,000 shy of the fiesty publication's $10,000 goal. The money raised will fund two stories - one investigative and one solutions-based - on critical issues in British Columbia...

Using LinkedIn: a journalist's guide

Mar 17, 2010 - Posted by Regan Ray

Looking for sources? Job hunting? Got questions about an editor or publication? Toronto-based freelancer and consultant Kim Pittaway shows how journalists can get the most out of social networking site LinkedIn.