Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 25-30

May 30, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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:

The Chronicle Herald union to meet with company, 4 months into strike [CBC]
Postmedia Baron Godfrey's Gobsmacking Audacity [The Tyee]
Vice Canada not impacted by U.S., U.K layoffs [J-Source]
What comes next for the Canadian Association of Journalists? [J-Source]
Former exec fired by CBC over Ghomeshi scandal suing broadcaster [Toronto Star]

From The U.S. and beyond:

How to Sell Viral News (Without Selling Your Soul) [The Freelancer]
Want to Be a High-Earning Freelance Writer? 5 Skills You Need to Make it Happen [The Write Life]
Want to crowdfund your journalism? Here are 10 tips for launching a successful campaign [Poynter]
How to write the perfect pitch [Journalism.co.uk]
The traveling freelancer: tips for working on-the-go [Freelancers Union]
9 ways to review and revise your writing [Poynter]
How to Be (or Not to Be) an Advocacy Journalist [The Open Notebook]
Digital media layoffs continue, this time at VICE News [Poynter]

Last week on Story Board:

Striking Chronicle Herald Workers “Xpress” Themselves Online in Halifax News Rivalry: Striking newsroom workers of the Chronicle Herald relaunched their free news site, LocalXpress.ca, as a non-profit organization on May 19...
Beyond Journalism panel discussion and networking event in Toronto June 2: Students, emerging media workers and freelancers are invited to a free panel discussion and mixer on Thursday, June 2 at the Page One Cafe & Bar (108 Mutual Street) in Toronto from 6 to 9 p.m...

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.

Striking Chronicle Herald Workers “Xpress” Themselves Online in Halifax News Rivalry

May 26, 2016 Editor News cwa canadae-lancer writeshalifax chronicle-heraldlocal xpress

This post is the fifth 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 SalamonStriking newsroom workers of the Chronicle Herald relaunched their free news site,…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 17-24

May 24, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: What will sustain investigative journalism? [J-Source] Media and free expression organizations apply for intervenor status in Vice court case…

Portenier Human Rights bursary applications open

May 17, 2016 Editor News bursarycanadian journalism forum on violence and traumaforum freelance fundportenier human rights bursarysafety training

Applications for the Portenier Human Rights bursary are now open. The bursary provides $3000 worth of hostile environment training to a freelance journalist or independent documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on human rights abuses.This is only the second year for this new bursary, which is offered by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 10-16

May 16, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: CJFE to intervene in Vice Canada vs. RCMP appeal [CJFE] Postmedia’s Godfrey urges tax breaks to keep ad dollars in Canada [Globe and Mail] New…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 3-9

May 09, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: Globe and Mail Editor-in-Chief: “Sloppy standards” is where they found issues with Wente [J-Source] Why Definitely Not the Opera is signing off…

CMG submits application for Vice Canada union

May 03, 2016 Editor News cmgunionizationvice canadavice union

The Vice Canada union campaign reached an important milestone last week -- the Canadian Media Guild filed for certification with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. The labour board now needs to confirm that the union has support from at least 40% of employees. After that, the board will call for a vote.Employees who haven't yet signed a…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer April 26-May 2

May 02, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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: 2016 Emerge Media Award winners announced [J-Source] Vice Canada applies to unionize with Canadian Media Guild [CBC] What union drive at Vice Canada…

Chatelaine’s call for unpaid submissions

April 27, 2016 Editor News freelance compensationtrouble spots

One of our freelance union members recently brought our attention to a recent call for submissions by Chatelaine magazine. The call-out asks readers to submit full 500-word stories that have not been published elsewhere.Writers whose articles are selected will not be paid for their work.In response to Story Board’s request for comment on the…

CMG Freelance supporting striking Chronicle Herald freelancers

April 27, 2016 Editor News chronicle heraldcmg freelancehalifax chronicle-herald

On January 23rd of this year, the 61 members of the Halifax Typographical Union’s newsroom unit went on strike for a fair deal from the Halifax Chronicle Herald newspaper. While the picket lines remain up, the members still wanted to tell stories, take photos, and keep Nova Scotians informed of news that matters to them. They formed an…