News & Media

When you’re not feeling well but you’re already at home, it’s so tempting (or expected) to “just do a bit” of work. I’m guilty of this! Do you actually take sick days when you’re remote, or does WFH m… more

Sometimes client feedback is helpful… other times it feels like you’re reworking the same thing over and over. How do you keep projects moving forward while keeping the client happy and your sanity in… more

At work, I'm always on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn, checking for news and finding sources. But then I get home and I'm still scrolling through the same stuff, telling myself it's for work. Ca… more

I once had a story on climate protests ready to go, with a headline that cut straight to the point. An editor replaced it with something so vague it could have been about a gardening event. Truth: whe… more

I'm covering foreclosures in my community, and it's hitting close to home for me. My family almost lost our house when I was a kid. The interviews are tough because I see myself in these famil… more

I prefer to keep to myself at work - I don't gossip or chat about personal stuff, just focus on projects and deadlines. Yesterday, my manager casually mentioned that I'm "really quiet&quo… more

I heard that Sky News wants 70 per cent premium paid content by 2030 and that worries me. I get that funding models are shifting but it feels like news is becoming an exclusive club. Will the stories … more

I'm with a group where the pay is low but the content demands are high. I know copying ChatGPT directly isn't right, but I'm already using it for headline and topic inspiration. Where do y… more

I edited a piece on this year’s Cannes Lions winners and cut a self-congratulatory paragraph about “world-changing creativity.” The client put it back in, twice. Not every campaign is saving the plane… more

I edited a segment on the big anti‑immigration protests, and the angle kept flipping depending on who was in the room. Seeing the scale move from peaceful residents to nationalist groups and counterpr… more

I'm desperately seeking burnout tips. I'm doing everything 'right' - therapy check-ins, nutritious eating, nature breaks, exercise - but I'm still crushed by 16-hour days and const… more

I worried about arriving late to the edit suite today and ended up staying into my evening commute. Meanwhile, headlines analytics show that communities are tuning out news—not because they do not care, but… more

I once edited a 1,200-word feature into something sharp and tight. The client’s “final changes” added every cliché I had removed — “game-changer,” “cutting-edge,” “revolutionary.” 💥 Editing chaos is … more

I'm editing from my home office after having a baby, and honestly missing the buzz of the newsroom - especially those impromptu discussions where we'd workshop tricky headlines or debate style… more

Any other freelancers here who feel like you get the blame for things in-house staff do because we're good scapegoats?

I get blamed for things I have not even written to cover up poor in-house pra… more

I work for a magazine, and my boss started requiring us to share our articles on our personal LinkedIn with commentary to build our influence. When people pushed back, management hinted at firing us. … more

As a freelancer, I once got a brief that was just two words: “Make engaging.” No audience details, no tone, no goal. 🤔 How do you even start without the basics? what is your process when a client giv… more

After my story from yesterday went viral for all the wrong reasons, I'm drowning in angry emails and social media notifications. How do you distinguish between legitimate criticism that deserves a… more

I watched my idea get pitched, approved, and produced by someone else. It happens a lot more than people admit. Credit in journalism can feel like a silent currency… and juniors rarely get paid. Do yo… more

As a freelance news writer, I've had meh luck with cold outreach (about 1 in 10 responds positively). Finding the right targets is definitely a challenge. I'd like to pitch to small to mid-siz… more

I recorded a voiceover four times today and still hated how I sounded. Every version made me cringe. I know it is part of the job, but hearing your own voice back is a special kind of psychological wa… more

I joined a pitch meeting where the team loved the font, clapped for the colours, and scrolled right past the copy. I had written the line that tied the whole thing together. 🤔 Why is writing always e… more

Have you ever had an editor or boss with a very specific preference (and let's be honest not one you agree with) that totally messed with you in further jobs?

I had an editor who refused to accept … more

Do you have a dream job? Not the one that sounds impressive on LinkedIn—but the one you’d love to wake up and do every day. Has your dream job changed since you started in media? Are you working towar… more

I studied media hoping it would lead me into the industry which it did—but the reality of my job often looks nothing like what I learned. Are you using your degree in your current role, or did you end… more

I got asked if I was "the intern." Again. Even after pitching two ideas and working here for months. Feels like some people will never see you as more than junior. Have you every come across… more

I'm in a tough spot with a freelancer who missed a deadline, and I'm torn between being understanding and holding them accountable. How do you approach setting clear expectations with your fre… more

Whenever I’m looking at a new role, I always end up deep in the Glassdoor reviews—sometimes they confirm a gut feeling, other times they totally surprise me. Do you rely on them when considering a mov… more

I gave three tone of voice options. The reply? “We love all of them. can you combine them?” One was warm, one was punchy, one was calm. That is like asking me to be Beyoncé, David Attenborough, and a … more

Whether it’s a peaceful train ride where you get a seat or a delayed bus standing all the way moment, commuting always has its ups and downs. What’s your best or worst commute story since returning to… more

I’m lucky enough to be allowed to WFH sometimes and I love it when I do, however I do find myself getting more distracted. How do you guys keep yourselves motivated and not get distracted when you WFH… more

I spent a full hour crafting one sentence ... pacing, cutting, reshaping. It had rhythm, clarity, flow. Then it got deleted in two seconds with the comment, “Can we dumb it down?” a lot of strong wri… more

I’m a new-ish digital producer at a local news station. It's my first real job, and I'm still feeling stressed after six months. The pace is frantic, and I constantly worry about the typos and… more

I got feedback from three different people and all of it completely contradicted each other. Apparently I need to “show more initiative” but also “follow direction more closely.” How do you grow in your rol… more

I had a headline pulled because it was “too emotional.” The word that got flagged? Heartbreaking. That was it. It made people feel something, which apparently was too risky... its like newsrooms want … more

A fellow freelance writer and I were chatting today, and I found out they got paid a lot more than I did for an article that was pretty similar to one I just wrote. I think I was lowballed. How do you… more

Sometimes with the tight deadlines I feel like our industry can feel like a grind, but then something amazing cutes through—smart, moving, beautifully made. What’s the last article, film, podcast, or… more

We just had our work summer party, and it actually felt like a thank-you for all the long hours. I’m curious—what does a good summer party look like at your company? And what totally misses the mark?

I'm watching AI write more and more articles while newspapers keep losing money. The local newsrooms where I got my start, back in the day, are shutting down, and I see my colleagues cranking out … more

Have you found yourself changing the way you write to ensure it doesn't get mistaken for AI?

I have had a few editors accuse me of using AI to put together articles, when in fact it's just well… more