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Freelancers' well-being comes under NUJ spotlight

The National Union of Journalists is running its second major survey of freelancers’ wellbeing. Four years ago, the NUJ’s Freelance Industrial Council put out a similar questionnaire and more than 300 members responded.

Among the key issues raised were isolation, non-communicative editors and the fringe benefits of freelancing. The survey can be found online here – all answers will be treated in confidence.

The NUJ has also launched an online map and round-up of the regional press cutbacks.


The Campaign for Freedom of Information is running two half-day courses about the Freedom of Information Act next month. The morning course provides an introduction to the legislation while the afternoon session will examine key decisions made under the legislation and explain how they can help journalists obtain information.

They take place on 13 January at the Charity Centre, in Stephenson Way, London, and attendees are welcome to go to both. Click through to download an application form with price details.

The Campaign is also running two half-day training courses on the ‘Information Commissioner and Tribunal Decisions’ on 5 February in London. Further details will be available shortly on from the Campaign’s website or email [email protected] to be notified when these become available.


An early day motion has been tabled by Merseyside MPs opposing job cuts at Trinity Mirror. More than 40 journalists are set to go at the Liverpool Echo and Daily Post in a major shake-up announced last month.

Six MPs have signed the EDM, tabled by Labour MP for Liverpool Walton Peter Kilfoyle, which calls upon the company to “halt this haemorrhaging of local jobs”. Two similar EDM’s have also been tabled recently in relation to Trinity Mirror announcements.


A Christmas carol concert held in London has raised £3,000 for the Journalists’ Charity.

The service at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, was conducted by the Rev George Pitcher, a former industrial editor of the Observer while readings were given Observer news editor Chris Boffey, Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover and BBC political editor Nick Robinson.

Sales of the Charity’s 2008 Christmas cards have also raised over £1,000.


Northern Echo editor Peter Barron appears to have found a second calling. The Newsquest news chief says in his blog that he’s “Finally made it” after being asked to appear in a radio panto on local station TFM.

“Apparently, they’ve written me in as Barron Hardup. Sounds like the perfect part,” he said.