Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan 8-14

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

• Media union hails Godfrey’s step down as Postmedia CEO [CWA Canada]
• Paul Godfrey steps down as Postmedia CEO, will remain executive chair [Globe and Mail]
• Is the future of journalism crowd-funded and community-driven? [Taproot]
• In Canada, police block media from covering break up of indigenous pipeline protest [CPJ]
• VICE launches new legal battle to protect journalist's materials [Vice]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Why 212 Rejections in a Year Was the Best Thing to Happen to Me [The Freelancer]
• With foreign bureaus slashed, freelancers are filling the void – at their own risk [The Conversation]
• How to pitch a solutions journalism idea to editors [journalism.co.uk]
• Do you sit all day? You need these 5 stretches [Freelancers Union]
• The man behind Vice’s push for freelancer insurance [CJR]
• An in-depth guide to annual planning for freelance businesses [Medium]
• 11 essential things to know before you go full-on freelance [Journo Resources]
• Get Organized So You Can Kill It In 2019: 10 Tips From Real People [Refinery29]
• 7 ways to keep your inbox under control and save your sanity [Freelancers Union]

Recently on Story Board:

• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Lessons from Katie Jensen and Vicky Mochama of Vocal Fry Studios: If I’m honest, for many years the only thing that kept me from freelancing was the fact that I didn’t feel good enough. No matter how many qualified people told me I was capable, complimented my work and prodded me to keep going, it wasn’t enough to make me feel “credible”...

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.