About the network
The Society of Freelance Journalists is a global community for freelance journalists. They offer advice, moral support, learning and job opportunities for journalists whose main source of income is self-employment.
Founded in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SFJ has since grown to more than 2,600 members and is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC). At the heart of the community is a Slack group, with dedicated discussion channels for work opportunities, networking, events, and advice on topics from personal finance to working from home. Membership is free to ensure the group is accessible to all.
The SFJ directors and founding members – Laura Oliver, Abigail Edge, Caroline Harrap and John Crowley – volunteer their time to maintain and develop the group, driven by their collective goal to support and lend a voice to the fast-growing freelance sector of the media industry.
Projects
In addition to running their own virtual meet-ups for freelance journalists and Q&A sessions, the SFJ was a partner in the European Journalism Centre’s Freelance Journalism Assembly. They moderated and led training sessions, offered coaching expertise and co-hosted meet-ups.
They’ve also given evidence to the UK’s House of Lords communication and digital committee’s inquiry into the future of UK journalism and organised panel discussions at the International Festival of Journalism in Italy.
Contact
Website: https://freelancesoc.org/Name: Laura Oliver, John Crowley, Abigail Edge, Caroline Harrap
Email: society.of.freelance.journalists@gmail.com
Network details
Size: 100+ members
Founded: 2020
Geographical focus: International
Type of members: Freelancers
Legal entity: Yes
Open to new members: Yes
Subjects
- Climate
- Health
- Migration
- Organized crime
- Politics / policy / democracy
- Social issues
- Personal development, business development, culture/arts
Countries
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Romania
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Skills
- Community outreach / audience development
- Digital formats / multimedia production / interactive journalism
- Editorial support / project management
- Investigative journalism
- Multilingual journalism
- Interviewing, copywriting, pitching, editing, video and audio storytelling and production
Support/join our network
- Collaborate on grant applications
- Exchange know-how/trainings
- Join as new members