The holiday season is close, which could mean a well-earned time to take a break. For some freelance writers, though, it could also mean a time to send out more pitches.
Like many of us, editors, marketers and content clients are still working during the last two weeks of the year — and even if they’re not, they’re likely checking their emails. Newsroom editors, in particular, are still “feeding the beast” and meeting deadlines for the 24/7 news cycle. Continue reading
The California State Capitol is the state’s working seat of government.
Lawmakers in several states have introduced — and in some cases, already approved — legislation that could restrict the way freelance writers operate next year.
In California, Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) restricts employers from classifying workers as independent contractors rather than employees under certain conditions. Approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, it goes into effect on Jan. 1. Similar bills in New York and New Jersey (S4204) will make waves during the 2020 legislative session. Continue reading
Carolyn Crist
Carolyn Crist, an independent journalist based in Georgia, will lead AHCJ’s efforts to expand its resources and services for freelance journalists.
As AHCJ’s freelance community correspondent, Crist will be writing about issues of concern to independent journalists, such as finding assignments, running a business, ethical guidelines, negotiating contracts and much more.
She will work with our freelance members to build out the existing Freelance Center at healthjournalism.org. That will include updated and new market guides, tip sheets and “How I Did It” stories from other freelancers.
The Association of Health Care Journalists has awarded AHCJ Reporting Fellowships on Health Care Performance to six journalists who intend to pursue significant projects in 2020. The program, in its 10th year, is meant to help journalists understand and report on the performance of local health care markets and the U.S. health system as a whole.
The fellowship program, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, is intended to give experienced print, broadcast and online reporters an opportunity to concentrate on the performance of health care systems – or significant parts of those systems – locally, regionally or nationally. The fellows are able to examine policies, practices and outcomes, as well as the roles of various stakeholders.
Public employees have the right to speak to the press without going through the boss, but workplace gag orders continue to violate their freedom of speech, says a report from The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, a nonprofit educational center.
The findings could have particular implications for health care journalists, the center’s director says.
Federal, state or local agencies often impose policies that restrict an employee’s ability to speak with reporters. In a report released in October that examines employees’ First Amendment rights, the center urges news organizations to challenge those rules. Continue reading
Please welcome these new professional and student members to AHCJ.
All new members are welcome to stop by this post’s comment section to introduce themselves. Continue reading