Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 25-Mar 3

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

• After months of fighting back, finally a welcome political victory [CMG]
• Peter Mansbridge defends himself after report of paid speech to oil industry [Toronto Star]
• Supporters around the world demand release of Egyptian-Canadian journalist [Globe & Mail]
• The rise and fall of the labour beat reporter [Rabble] (via @MickSweetman)
• Who does the CBC compete with? [J-Source]

From the U.S. and beyond:

• 150 journalism cliches — and counting [Washington Post]
• How to set (and keep) your own deadlines [Freelancers Union]
• Seven Simple Success Strategies [High Income Business Writing] (via @LuigiBenetton)
• Self-Employment Continues to Rise Internationally [Freelancers Union]
• How to Land Your Next Freelance Writing Job [The Write Life]
• How Freelance Journalists Can Stay Safe in Protest Zones [Mediashift]
• How to Invoice International Clients Without Paying Tons of Fees [The Write Life]

This week on Story Board:

• Tragic death of camera assistant in Georgia highlights on-set safety issues: Last week Peter Driftmier’s Story Board post about the death of his brother on a factual TV shoot got a lot of attention from people in the television production industry. Tweets about the post came from all corners of Canada, as well as the United States and England….
• Freelance Friday #2, How to value your work: The second in the Canadian Media Guild’s Freelance Friday workshop series is coming up next week in Toronto. This time, the topic is Freelance Contracts: How to value your work, get it in writing and get paid…

Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.