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Freelance Isn’t Free Slowly Moves Forward

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After the New York state legislature passed Freelance Isn’t Free in June, elected officials nationwide—and NWU’s legislative work—took a summer break. Now, heading into fall and 2023, we have several legislative campaigns going across the country, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. In New York, we’re still waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign […]

The Nation and the National Writers Union Reach an Agreement

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This article first appeared in The Nation (September 6, 2022) The challenges freelance journalists face are no secret: payments delayed for months (sometimes failing to arrive at all), editors ghosting, while long and often uncompensated hours and isolation are all part of the job. Freelancers also pay for their own work expenses and health care […]

We’re Writing Our Way Forward

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By Diane Ward I had the pleasure of attending the International Women’s Writer Guild (IWWG) from July 22- 24. Offerings included keynote speakers, agent and editor panels, pitch sessions, an open mic, workshops, breakout sessions and discussion groups. The conference was an oasis hosted by women for  women.     Participants were offered a diverse pallet of […]

California Dreamin: SB 98 and Freelancer Protections

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California Senate Bill 98 heated up as we entered the summer months. The author of the legislation, state Senator Mike McGuire, intended to grant access to the media to protests and other such actions despite pushback from law enforcement. The bill is meant to provide unfettered access without police authorization because many times it is […]

Poison Pill Threatens Good Legislation

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At least 322 journalists have been assaulted, 122 have been arrested or detained and more than 980 have reported press freedoms violations since the beginning of the year, according to the US Press Freedom Tracker. First Amendment Groups and Journalists in California were encouraged when state Senator Mike McGuire reintroduced SB 98 last year following […]

The Capitol Riot

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After the Presidential election last November, we ran a piece, “The War Is Not Over.” On January 6, a racist mob, urged on by Trump & Co., attacked the US Capitol building and assaulted media workers covering the riot. Journalists outside the Capitol were threatened and surrounded, equipment destroyed and stolen. “Murder the media” was […]

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