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:

• Chronicle Herald union says company refused call back to bargaining table [CBC]
• Objective journalism disappearing but that's OK says Pulitzer Prize winner [CBC]
• Chronicle Herald strike stretches into seventh week [J-Source]
• Dear Media Entrepreneurs: It’s time to look north [J-Source]
• Why Gawker's First Contract Is a Blueprint for Unions [The Tyee]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• How to Become a Freelance Writer That Editors Will Want to Hire Over and Over [The Write Life]
• Is Solutions Journalism the Solution? [Nieman Lab]
• Pay doesn’t look the same for men and women at top newspapers [Washington Post]
• In the Age of Sponsored Content, What’s Ethical for Freelance Journalists? [The Freelancer]
• 5 Ridiculous Excuses About Your Late Payment [The Freelancer]
• The rise of the creative class is the end of retirement [The Kernel]

Last week on Story Board:

• Tips for making it as a freelancer in Canada: CMG Freelance and CWA Canada hosted an event for media workers at The Company House in Halifax last week, focusing on workers’ rights and making it in the industry as a freelancer...
• Vice freelancers, the Canadian Media Guild wants to hear from you: If you’re a regular freelancer for Vice Canada, the Canadian Media Guild would like to hear about your experiences and working conditions...

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.