Thank you so much for covering this! I've freelanced for over a decade as a photographer, writer and journalist. Having the power to negotiate rates and decide which projects to take on (and which ones to reject due to lowball payments, ethics, etc.) was a total game-changer for me after spending years getting lowballed and steamrolled by employers in my 20s. Freelancing is honestly the only reason I was even able to build a career for myself -- I absolutely would not have been able to accomplish most of my goals if I'd been under the thumb of a traditional employer.
Question: Have you applied for the non-traditional White House press pass that recently became available? I feel like your questions about freelance busting could be really valuable in that setting, and might help get more national attention on these issues -- especially considering the chilling effect a federal law blocking freelancing would have on press freedom in the U.S., particularly in light of all the recent layoffs at newspapers and media outlets.
Thank you for the kind words! And to answer your question, I'm aware of that press pass, but I have not yet applied because it's for physically attending briefings in D.C. I am in New Jersey.
I'll definitely be doing Zooms and going to D.C. to advocate for Rep. Kiley's classification bill in particular. Sooner rather than later. Already reaching out to lawmakers about it :)
Thank you so much for covering this! I've freelanced for over a decade as a photographer, writer and journalist. Having the power to negotiate rates and decide which projects to take on (and which ones to reject due to lowball payments, ethics, etc.) was a total game-changer for me after spending years getting lowballed and steamrolled by employers in my 20s. Freelancing is honestly the only reason I was even able to build a career for myself -- I absolutely would not have been able to accomplish most of my goals if I'd been under the thumb of a traditional employer.
Question: Have you applied for the non-traditional White House press pass that recently became available? I feel like your questions about freelance busting could be really valuable in that setting, and might help get more national attention on these issues -- especially considering the chilling effect a federal law blocking freelancing would have on press freedom in the U.S., particularly in light of all the recent layoffs at newspapers and media outlets.
Thank you for the kind words! And to answer your question, I'm aware of that press pass, but I have not yet applied because it's for physically attending briefings in D.C. I am in New Jersey.
That makes sense! Might be worth a road trip one day, though! :)
I'll definitely be doing Zooms and going to D.C. to advocate for Rep. Kiley's classification bill in particular. Sooner rather than later. Already reaching out to lawmakers about it :)