Date: Thursday, 9 October: UTC 14.00
Speakers:
Sarah A Topol, Winner, Outstanding Contribution to Peace (2024),
Fabian Federl, Winner, Environmental Journalism (2024)
Anna-Catherine Brigada, Winner Contribution to Civil Rights (2023)
Christiana Bedei, Freelance, Italy
Nadezhda Azhgikhina, FJA Steering Committee
Moderator: Aidan White, FJA Advisor
Read the full transcript ► https://fjawards.com/webinar-transcription-the-future-is-freelance
In a news industry overwhelmed by change there are more freelancers than ever and this year more than half of the winners in the Fetisov Journalism Awards were independent freelance journalists, and proud to be so.
Our panel of experts and winners in this webinar look at the challenges facing the modern freelance, through the eyes of our winners.
Tracking their stories and how they succeeded, we provide insights into the realities of modern journalism. This webinar will focus on some of the best journalism of the year produced by freelance reporters.
It will help freelance journalists and editors to strengthen their work and provide tips and advice to those starting out on their journalistic journey.
Starting Out
Many journalists are forced, through jobs losses and a shrinking staff jobs market, to go it alone, but most journalists choose to do so freely, focusing on a niche journalistic beat – arts, culture, science, social issues, politics or other speciality. They are the go-to experts that emptying newsrooms need to keep their editorial credibility.
Many others stick to generalist reporting, providing skills and expertise that fill the gaps in news coverage.
So what are the first steps? How did our winners get their first start, and how did they build their own market for stories?
Getting Organised
Like all journalists, the freelance needs reliable contacts and good sources of information. They also need to acquire news skills – how to pitch stories, how to understand the admin of business and rules for being self-employed, how to manage time and set priorities and how, above all, how to become a reliable and safe pair of hands that editors will trust.
Above all, they need to equip themselves with the tools – including using AI in all its creative forms – to ensure they are survive and prosper in the modern news environment.
The webinar will draw upon the experience of experts and winners to provide good advice and tips for journalists to meet the challenge of freelance work, and particularly how to deal with the ebb and flow of work in an unpredictable business.
Beyond survival to career success
The secret of success lies in self-confidence and commitment. Often it’s not just journalism alone that pays the way – many freelancers have to do bits and pieces of other work – research, teaching, or communications consultancy while they are building their portfolio and network.
But journalism is at the heart of it. Our winners have learned not just to survive but to build their success around a set of practical working principles -- reliability in their work, working with a business mind-set.
Not least is the importance of keeping in touch with other freelancers, joining unions or associations or building their own networks for sharing information about contracts, tips on stories, and advice on tricky legal or ethical questions. In the end, freelances often work alone, but like all journalists they work best when they enjoy the solidarity of other professionals around them.