Society of Freelance Journalists

About the network

The Society of Freelance Journalists (SFJ) is a global community dedicated exclusively to supporting freelance journalists. Founded in March 2020 as a direct response to the professional isolation and economic instability brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SFJ has since evolved into a registered Community Interest Company (CIC). Today, it boasts a membership of thousands of freelance journalists worldwide.

The network was established to offer practical advice, moral support, continuous learning, and direct job opportunities for media professionals whose primary source of income is self-employment. The journalists can access dedicated discussion channels for pitching ideas, networking, attending events, and seeking advice on everything from personal finance to the realities of working from home. Crucially, membership is completely free, ensuring the community remains fiercely accessible to all journalists, regardless of their financial situation.

The network is driven by its founding directors—Laura Oliver, Abigail Edge, Caroline Harrap, and John Crowley—who volunteer their time to maintain and develop the platform. Their collective mission is to lend a powerful, unified voice to freelancers, advocating for their rights and well-being within the broader media landscape.

The SFJ members are highly versatile and independent reporters who cover a broad spectrum of critical public-interest issues, including:

• Climate & Environment: Reporting on the climate crisis and environmental policy.
• Health & Social Issues: Covering global public health, societal inequalities, and mental health.
• Human Rights & Migration: Documenting rights abuses and the stories of marginalized communities.
• Personal & Business Development: Navigating the entrepreneurial side of journalism, culture, and the arts.

Network Focus & Skills

• Community outreach and audience development.
• Digital formats, interactive journalism, and multimedia production (including video and audio storytelling).
• Editorial support, copywriting, pitching, and project management.
• Multilingual and cross-border journalism.

Network Projects & Advocacy

• Freelance Journalism Assembly: In partnership with the European Journalism Centre, the SFJ co-hosted and shaped this major initiative. SFJ leaders moderated sessions, led specialized training, provided coaching expertise, and organized virtual meet-ups.
• Industry Advocacy & Policy: The network actively advocates for the future of the profession, notably giving formal evidence to the UK House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s inquiry into the future of UK journalism.
• Global Presence: The SFJ regularly organizes and leads panel discussions at major industry events, such as the International Festival of Journalism in Italy, bringing the specific challenges and innovations of freelancers to the global stage.

Contact
Website: https://freelancesoc.org/

Contact

Website: https://freelancesoc.org/
Name: Laura Oliver, John Crowley, Abigail Edge, Caroline Harrap
Email: society.of.freelance.journalists@gmail.com