Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 30-April 4

April 04, 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:

Coalition condemns court ruling threatening press freedoms [J-Source]
Superior Court judge upholds RCMP production order for Vice reporter’s notes [J-Source]
Canadian Judge Orders VICE News Journalist to Hand Over Digital Messages [Vice]
Finalists named for Atlantic Journalism Awards [Canadian Magazines]
Offbeat: To cover holes left by cuts, young journalists must define their own roles in the newsroom [Ryerson Review]

From The U.S. and beyond:

How to Declutter Your Writing Ideas and Finish More Projects [The Write Life]
7 reasons why you should break into brand journalism [Mediabistro]
Why You Should Add ‘Fixer’ to Your Résumé [The Freelancer]
Even busy freelancers can't afford to skimp on these 4 things [Freelancers Union]
5 Freelancers Share Their Worst Client Horror Stories [The Freelancer]
9 Places to Find an Expert Source for Your Next Article [The Write Life]
The Freelancer's Guide To Avoiding Nightmare Clients [Fast Company]
Why Every Freelance Writer Needs an Accountant on Their Side [The Write Life]

Last week on Story Board:

Sunny Widerman's tax tips for creatives: It’s nearly April, freelancers. Which means it’s time to start thinking about preparing your tax return...

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.

Sunny Widerman’s tax tips for creatives

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It’s nearly April, freelancers. Which means it's time to start thinking about preparing your tax return.A few weeks ago, CMG Freelance ran a tax tips webinar for our members with Toronto tax specialist Sunny Widerman. To help get you into the tax filing mindset, here are a few of Widerman's top tips from that webinar.First of all, Widerman…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 22-29

March 29, 2016 Editor News newsoff the wire

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Freelancers in conflict zones still waiting for fair treatment from the industry

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by Rachel SandersThe world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 622 journalists have been killed as a result of their jobs over the past ten years -- nearly twice as many as the previous decade. What's more, nearly 200 journalists are currently in prison worldwide.And…

Digital Media Workers Are Unionizing Like It’s 1999

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This post is the third 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 SalamonGawker Media’s editorial staff ratified their first union contract on March 1 with their…

Unpaid Internships: A People’s History

March 22, 2016 Editor News cwa associate membersintern nationinternshipspay your internsunpaid internships

by Sara Tatelman [caption id="attachment_11752" align="alignright" width="340"] Photo by Cynthia Pandev from the film Pay Your Interns![/caption]When Ross Perlin told his grandparents about his first internship, they thought he was becoming a doctor. And fair enough—until the 1970s, the word “intern” primarily referred to freshly minted…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 15-21

March 21, 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: Aspiring Toronto Star interns no longer have to provide a photo of themselves with their application [J-Source] CBC to require online commenters to…

SABEW Canada’s 2nd annual Best in Business awards night April 20th

March 17, 2016 Editor Event awardseventsabew canada

The Canadian chapter of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) is holding its second annual Best in Business writing awards night on Wednesday, April 20th at Valdez (606 King Street West).Tickets are $25 for members and $40 for non-members. The event starts at 6 pm. Food and drinks will be served.You can reserve your…

The Born Freelancer on Using an Alias

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This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. • If you work simultaneously in a number of different genres and need to separate and differentiate career strands; or • If you…

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Mar 8-14

March 14, 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: Chronicle Herald union says company refused call back to bargaining table [CBC] Objective journalism disappearing but that's OK says Pulitzer Prize…