A writer’s complicated relationship with freelancing

There’s an increasing trend of writers speaking out against publications that don’t pay their writers. Freelance writers are exploited, they say. Putting in countless hours of research, interviewing and sometimes painful writing sessions filled with self-doubt and lack of sleep can lead to very little in return—sometimes nothing at all. Huffington Post UK editor Stephen Hull… Continue reading A writer’s complicated relationship with freelancing

Offleash Podcast: Tech writing

Offleash is the Ryerson Review of Journalism’s first-ever regular podcast, published on RRJ.ca every second Wednesday at 3:33 p.m. In this week’s episode, our editor Kat Eschner and senior editor Viviane Fairbank discuss the intricacies of writing about technology. Matt Braga, a freelance writer formerly with Motherboard, and Claire Brownell of the Financial Post join… Continue reading Offleash Podcast: Tech writing

Why are we still talking about diversity?

“Is it Fateeema?” asked two editors interviewing me in a boardroom much too big for a three-person meeting. I tried to impress them with three story ideas: something about transit, something about local politics and something about immigration. They asked follow-up questions about the third one—How did I think of the story? What are the main issues?… Continue reading Why are we still talking about diversity?

BuzzFeed’s search for marginalized writers is progressive, not racist

A screenshot of the message displayed upon searching for Scaachi Koul's Twitter profile

White men effectively control Canadian journalism. But recent events have shown that’s not enough: any challenge to their dominance must be condemned. On February 18, BuzzFeed senior writer Scaachi Koul tweeted a call for longform writers, particularly those who aren’t white or male. This was a commendable step toward breaking down barriers preventing people from entering, and then… Continue reading BuzzFeed’s search for marginalized writers is progressive, not racist

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