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 fund panel asks Ottawa to help small newsrooms and spend ad dollars at home [J-Source]
• UBC researchers lead $2.5-million journalism innovation project [J-Source]
• The Guardian paves the way for Canadian media to be more blunt about climate change [Canadaland]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• BuzzFeed reaches deal to recognize union after months of talks [Bloomberg]
• The biggest lessons I learned in the first six months of freelancing [Freelancers Union]
• Tip: Use this contract advice for freelance journalists [Journalism.co.uk]
• Interviewing sources about traumatic experiences [Open Notebook]
• 5 Simple Steps to Write a Headline Your Editor Will Love [The Write Life]
• Not the gig economy: on the immense value of the growing freelancer ‘project economy' [LSE Business Review]
• Get Noticed: 7 Tips for Writing a Killer Freelance Resume [Freelance Writing Jobs]
• Don't make these freelance contract mistakes [Freelancers Union]

Recently on Story Board:

• The Born Freelancer on the True Value of a First Paid Job: Up to that moment in my very young life I had done relevant courses, spent time volunteering at community stations and passionately studied the media. I highly recommend all of these activities. But none of them will ever teach you more than your first paid media job, whatever it is...
• Media freedom global pledge comes up short says CWA Canada: A media freedom global pledge that emerged from a London conference is laudable, but doesn’t go far enough, said CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon, who attended the July 10-11 gathering...

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.