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:

• Canadian Journalism Innovators launches to accelerate digital media growth [J-Source]
• Is Journalism "Essential"? Doug Ford's government doesn't think so [Canadaland]
• CBC Bargaining – Getting into the final crunch [CMG]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• 5 ways to build your brand without being an extrovert [Freelancers Union]
• Freelance Journalism: From idea to published article [Medium]
• How to use every spare 15 minutes to grow your freelance business [Freelancers Union]
• 5 useful tips to build an amazing freelance portfolio [Flipsnack]
• Why You Need to Join a Writing Group (And How to Find One)  [The Write Life]
• Freelancers are being exploited by businesses that fail to pay their invoices – this damaging culture must change [City A.M.]
• #MediaTransparency and Why Freelancers Should Share Their Rates [The Freelancer]

Recently on Story Board:

• The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #39 -- Lesley Evans Ogden: Lesley Evans Ogden is a B.C.-based science journalist whose clients include Natural History, Scientific American, BBC, Nature, and CBC. She just finished her first documentary for the Nature of Things, called Stay-at-Home Animal Dads...
• Post-holiday freelancer meet-up in Vancouver January 29: CMG Freelance members and non-members are all welcome. Get away from your desk and join us for a drink and some conversation with other local freelancers...

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.