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.