Freelance Solidarity Project
@fspnwu.bsky.social
The Freelance Solidarity Project fights to raise labor standards for digital media workers across our industry. Part of @nwu.org
"The death of institutions hasn’t killed solidarity among journalists — I’m a member, for example, of the Freelance Solidarity Project at the National Writers Union, which provides resources for independent writers and has contracts for minimum standards with several publications." 🫡
I contributed a piece to TPM's look back at 25 years of digital media. Unsurprisingly, I wrote about unionization and how it shaped the press: talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/digit...
Digital Media’s Union Wave Helped Shape a Generation’s Thinking About Unions
When Maya Schenwar and her colleagues at Truthout began to talk about...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"The death of institutions hasn’t killed solidarity among journalists — I’m a member, for example, of the Freelance Solidarity Project at the National Writers Union, which provides resources for independent writers and has contracts for minimum standards with several publications." 🫡
We had the privilege of working with @goodbyealma.bsky.social on our know your rights panel for queer & trans media workers, so trust us when we say it's worth subscribing to Hell Gate to read this full interview. Then go sign the petition to support the Fired Four: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
How did a relatively standard union action spiral into four terminations and even more suspensions? Just ask the executives at Condé Nast.
Union Leaders Approached the Head of HR. Condé Nast Fired Them for 'Extreme Misconduct'
A former Bon Appétit worker who was fired by Condé Nast talks about what happened in the hallway at 1 World Trade Center and how "the company is trying avoid the attention of the Trump administration....
hellgatenyc.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
We had the privilege of working with @goodbyealma.bsky.social on our know your rights panel for queer & trans media workers, so trust us when we say it's worth subscribing to Hell Gate to read this full interview. Then go sign the petition to support the Fired Four: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Sign the petition to reinstate the Fired Four!
Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting.
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
November 9, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Sign the petition to reinstate the Fired Four!
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
More important to me than my identity, I am also the Vice President of the NewsGuild of New York, and targeting me with a blatantly retaliatory termination like this feels like an egregious shot against our union and against media workers as a whole.
November 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
More important to me than my identity, I am also the Vice President of the NewsGuild of New York, and targeting me with a blatantly retaliatory termination like this feels like an egregious shot against our union and against media workers as a whole.
We stand in solidarity with our @condeunion.bsky.social siblings at @teenvogue.com who were unceremoniously laid off last week.
Layoffs are not a solution to unbalanced budgets, especially when those laid off come from marginalized backgrounds typically not represented at major media orgs.
Layoffs are not a solution to unbalanced budgets, especially when those laid off come from marginalized backgrounds typically not represented at major media orgs.
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We stand in solidarity with our @condeunion.bsky.social siblings at @teenvogue.com who were unceremoniously laid off last week.
Layoffs are not a solution to unbalanced budgets, especially when those laid off come from marginalized backgrounds typically not represented at major media orgs.
Layoffs are not a solution to unbalanced budgets, especially when those laid off come from marginalized backgrounds typically not represented at major media orgs.
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Speaking of freelancers, looking out for fellow freelance creatives is really important to me. We worked with @nwu.org and @fspnwu.bsky.social to develop contributor guidelines to protect freelancers, be transparent about our relationships, and set fair pay standards.
Freelancer Policies
The Flytrap and National Writers Union have agreed upon freelancer policies for media workers contributing to The Flytrap Media.
the-flytrap.ghost.io
October 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Speaking of freelancers, looking out for fellow freelance creatives is really important to me. We worked with @nwu.org and @fspnwu.bsky.social to develop contributor guidelines to protect freelancers, be transparent about our relationships, and set fair pay standards.
Tomorrow, comrades! Who’s joining us?
But we CAN organize! Want to hear how? Join us at our next general info session on October 28, 7:30pm ET. RSVP at bit.ly/FSP-RSVP-info
"Freelancers can't collectively bargain."
October 27, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Tomorrow, comrades! Who’s joining us?
But we CAN organize! Want to hear how? Join us at our next general info session on October 28, 7:30pm ET. RSVP at bit.ly/FSP-RSVP-info
"Freelancers can't collectively bargain."
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
Net Book Agreement ends.
Net Book Agreement ends.
October 22, 2025 at 9:50 PM
But we CAN organize! Want to hear how? Join us at our next general info session on October 28, 7:30pm ET. RSVP at bit.ly/FSP-RSVP-info
"Freelancers can't collectively bargain."
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
Net Book Agreement ends.
Net Book Agreement ends.
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
"Freelancers can't collectively bargain."
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
NEW: POLITICO’s top editors testified that its AI experiments don’t need to follow the newsroom’s own editorial standards.
If media execs won’t protect journalism standards, NewsGuild members @pen-guild.bsky.social will!
www.niemanlab.org/2025/08/poli...
If media execs won’t protect journalism standards, NewsGuild members @pen-guild.bsky.social will!
www.niemanlab.org/2025/08/poli...
Politico’s recent AI experiments shouldn’t be subject to newsroom editorial standards, its editors testify
In a July arbitration hearing, Politico faced allegations that two generative AI tools violated its union contract.
www.niemanlab.org
August 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
NEW: POLITICO’s top editors testified that its AI experiments don’t need to follow the newsroom’s own editorial standards.
If media execs won’t protect journalism standards, NewsGuild members @pen-guild.bsky.social will!
www.niemanlab.org/2025/08/poli...
If media execs won’t protect journalism standards, NewsGuild members @pen-guild.bsky.social will!
www.niemanlab.org/2025/08/poli...
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Thrilled to be a part of this crucial work! 🫡
We’re thrilled to welcome the @nwu.org to the Rebuild Local News Coalition! With over 1,000 writers, including 500 freelance journalists, NWU and its @fspnwu.bsky.social fight for fair pay, better contracts, and more opportunities for writers.
September 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Thrilled to be a part of this crucial work! 🫡
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
"There are only seven full-time book critics left in the United States...The rest of us are freelancers—and according to the Freelance Solidarity Project, nearly one-third of freelance book critics make less than the federal minimum wage for their reviews." worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
Criticism Is Literature. Why Is It Vanishing?, by Adam Morgan
What do the best book reviews do? What is the current state of the critical ecosystem? Chicago Review of Books founder Adam Morgan takes stock of book reviewing in the US.
worldliteraturetoday.org
August 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
"There are only seven full-time book critics left in the United States...The rest of us are freelancers—and according to the Freelance Solidarity Project, nearly one-third of freelance book critics make less than the federal minimum wage for their reviews." worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Israel is carrying out the largest massacre of journalists & media workers in modern history,& the most dangerous attack on the ideal of a free press in the modern era.
Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund to support our colleagues & sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. bit.ly/supportPJS
Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund to support our colleagues & sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. bit.ly/supportPJS
August 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Israel is carrying out the largest massacre of journalists & media workers in modern history,& the most dangerous attack on the ideal of a free press in the modern era.
Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund to support our colleagues & sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. bit.ly/supportPJS
Donate to the IFJ Safety Fund to support our colleagues & sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. bit.ly/supportPJS
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Mario Guevara is now the 5th longest-jailed journalist in U.S. history. Sign & share this petition from his daughter, Katherine, to bring him home. "If a government can punish a reporter for doing his job, what message does this send? What protections are left for the rest of us?" chng.it/8HfJqdW75h
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Help Bring Mario Back Home
chng.it
August 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Mario Guevara is now the 5th longest-jailed journalist in U.S. history. Sign & share this petition from his daughter, Katherine, to bring him home. "If a government can punish a reporter for doing his job, what message does this send? What protections are left for the rest of us?" chng.it/8HfJqdW75h
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
NEW: Israel targeted and killed five @aljazeera.com journalists in Gaza.
They risked everything to document atrocities so we could know the truth. Killing them is an attack on journalism itself.
With @nwu.org, we demand accountability:
newsguild.org/the-newsguil...
They risked everything to document atrocities so we could know the truth. Killing them is an attack on journalism itself.
With @nwu.org, we demand accountability:
newsguild.org/the-newsguil...
The NewsGuild-CWA and National Writers Union condemn Israel’s targeted killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA
The NewsGuild-CWA and National Writers Union join press freedom advocates around the world in condemning the targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza.
newsguild.org
August 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
NEW: Israel targeted and killed five @aljazeera.com journalists in Gaza.
They risked everything to document atrocities so we could know the truth. Killing them is an attack on journalism itself.
With @nwu.org, we demand accountability:
newsguild.org/the-newsguil...
They risked everything to document atrocities so we could know the truth. Killing them is an attack on journalism itself.
With @nwu.org, we demand accountability:
newsguild.org/the-newsguil...
Missed our Journalism Futures panel? You can catch the recording below. ⬇️ These leaders are forging a more just media industry, and not afraid to answer the big questions about reporting on Palestine, immigration, and AI in an increasingly suppressed media climate.
Journalism Futures: Funding Under Fascism
The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. Philanthropy and nonprofit status have been presented as one solution, especially to serve the needs of communities of color and immigrant…
youtu.be
August 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Missed our Journalism Futures panel? You can catch the recording below. ⬇️ These leaders are forging a more just media industry, and not afraid to answer the big questions about reporting on Palestine, immigration, and AI in an increasingly suppressed media climate.
We're excited to add @theflytrapmedia.com to the list of publications we have a Unilateral Announcement with as they help raise standards across the industry. Who's next? 👀
I strongly encourage freelancers to join @fspnwu.bsky.social, to share rates and information about publishers, to advocate for themselves in an increasingly hostile media climate. And I urge other indie pubs to work with @nwu.org on policies of their own.
So thrilled to announce that @theflytrapmedia.com has collaborated with @nwu.org on freelancer policies. As a current freelancer, it's really important to me to value and protect our freelance contributors. Proud to join other indie pubs in this!
You can read all about it here:
You can read all about it here:
August 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
We're excited to add @theflytrapmedia.com to the list of publications we have a Unilateral Announcement with as they help raise standards across the industry. Who's next? 👀
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Proud of my union for speaking out against Israel's systematic starvation of people in Gaza, including journalists -- and for pushing our colleagues at mainstream outlets to cover it better.
Freelancers, please consider joining @fspnwu.bsky.social
nwu.org/starvation-o...
Freelancers, please consider joining @fspnwu.bsky.social
nwu.org/starvation-o...
NWU Calls on Unions and Media to Denounce Israel’s Starvation of Gaza | NWU
The National Writers Union calls on our colleagues at mainstream news outlets to provide truthful coverage of the ongoing, now-worsening campaign of starvation that Israel is inflicting on Palestinian...
nwu.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Proud of my union for speaking out against Israel's systematic starvation of people in Gaza, including journalists -- and for pushing our colleagues at mainstream outlets to cover it better.
Freelancers, please consider joining @fspnwu.bsky.social
nwu.org/starvation-o...
Freelancers, please consider joining @fspnwu.bsky.social
nwu.org/starvation-o...
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Over 100 ppl (& counting) are registered for this @fspnwu.bsky.social convo abt funding news under fascism, happening TMRW @ 12 pm EST!
Signing up is free and takes 2 min. You won't wanna miss out: bit.ly/FundingUnder...
Signing up is free and takes 2 min. You won't wanna miss out: bit.ly/FundingUnder...
I will be moderating this talk on funding the news under fascism!! How do we pay the bills when even the nonprofit news model is under attack??? I don't know but we're gonna figure it out!
The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. What promises and pitfalls does the nonprofit news model offer? Hear from Mazin Sidahmed of @documentedny.bsky.social, Alicia Bell of @borealisphil.bsky.social, & Lara Witt of @prismreports.org on August 5. Register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
August 4, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Over 100 ppl (& counting) are registered for this @fspnwu.bsky.social convo abt funding news under fascism, happening TMRW @ 12 pm EST!
Signing up is free and takes 2 min. You won't wanna miss out: bit.ly/FundingUnder...
Signing up is free and takes 2 min. You won't wanna miss out: bit.ly/FundingUnder...
Philanthropy & nonprofit status have been presented as one solution to the breakdown of the media industry, especially to serve the needs of communities of color & immigrant communities who have historically been failed by mainstream outlets. Can it work? Let's talk! bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
August 4, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Philanthropy & nonprofit status have been presented as one solution to the breakdown of the media industry, especially to serve the needs of communities of color & immigrant communities who have historically been failed by mainstream outlets. Can it work? Let's talk! bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Oh and relatedly, it's pretty clear to myself and most book critics I know that we will never get a staff job. Perhaps that's part of why we're so eager to organize together and try to improve rates for all freelance critics :). @fspnwu.bsky.social
I have found this rising generation of lit scholars to be unfailingly smart, funny, self-effacing, unpretentious.
Inevitably joyful to hang out with.
And today I realized why.
They are utterly absent of careerism, because none of them think they will have careers.
Inevitably joyful to hang out with.
And today I realized why.
They are utterly absent of careerism, because none of them think they will have careers.
August 1, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Oh and relatedly, it's pretty clear to myself and most book critics I know that we will never get a staff job. Perhaps that's part of why we're so eager to organize together and try to improve rates for all freelance critics :). @fspnwu.bsky.social
Reposted by Freelance Solidarity Project
Got the nonprofit industrial complex on your mind? Us too. Join
@fspnwu.bsky.social, moderator @roshanabraham.bsky.social, and these stellar speakers for a chat about ~funding under fascism~ next week!
Register & send us your burning q's here - it's totally free & takes 2 min: tinyurl.com/mrxubuyj
@fspnwu.bsky.social, moderator @roshanabraham.bsky.social, and these stellar speakers for a chat about ~funding under fascism~ next week!
Register & send us your burning q's here - it's totally free & takes 2 min: tinyurl.com/mrxubuyj
The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. What promises and pitfalls does the nonprofit news model offer? Hear from Mazin Sidahmed of @documentedny.bsky.social, Alicia Bell of @borealisphil.bsky.social, & Lara Witt of @prismreports.org on August 5. Register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
July 31, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Got the nonprofit industrial complex on your mind? Us too. Join
@fspnwu.bsky.social, moderator @roshanabraham.bsky.social, and these stellar speakers for a chat about ~funding under fascism~ next week!
Register & send us your burning q's here - it's totally free & takes 2 min: tinyurl.com/mrxubuyj
@fspnwu.bsky.social, moderator @roshanabraham.bsky.social, and these stellar speakers for a chat about ~funding under fascism~ next week!
Register & send us your burning q's here - it's totally free & takes 2 min: tinyurl.com/mrxubuyj
The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. What promises and pitfalls does the nonprofit news model offer? Hear from Mazin Sidahmed of @documentedny.bsky.social, Alicia Bell of @borealisphil.bsky.social, & Lara Witt of @prismreports.org on August 5. Register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
July 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The journalism industry is facing economic breakdown. What promises and pitfalls does the nonprofit news model offer? Hear from Mazin Sidahmed of @documentedny.bsky.social, Alicia Bell of @borealisphil.bsky.social, & Lara Witt of @prismreports.org on August 5. Register: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
As the Trump administration slashes federal funding & threatens basic press freedoms, how should nonprofit newsrooms—especially those serving marginalized communities—navigate an already shaky media ecosystem? Find out on August 5: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism
July 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
As the Trump administration slashes federal funding & threatens basic press freedoms, how should nonprofit newsrooms—especially those serving marginalized communities—navigate an already shaky media ecosystem? Find out on August 5: bit.ly/FundingUnderFascism