SPJ Seems to Woo Freelancers Again

The Society for Professional Journalists seems to be running a blog - called The Independent Journalist - aimed at freelancers. Amy Green is the author. Personally, I"m going to wait and see how the organization behaves towards freelancers, and not make a judgment based on what someone in SPJ says. There was a right dust-up last year over the stance SPJ took regarding the ongoing cases involving some photographers and the National Geographic as well as its then-president floating an idea of certification for "professional" journalists:

• SPJ Freelance Committee Chair Resigns over National Geographic Support


• SPJ President Seems to Support Certification for Pro Journalists


• SPJ President Responds to National Geographic Criticism


• SPJ Withdraws Name from National Geographic Brief


• Incorrect Information Again from SPJ President


• Lawyer Robert S. Becker Responds to SPJ posts

The organization has traditionally focused on the needs of staff journalists and had not been altogether welcoming of freelancers. I know some people had tried to change that and had eventually resigned from the organization. Perhaps things are different now, and I'm sure the new chair of that group's freelance committee is sincere and well-meaning. But ultimately it can be nearly impossible to move an organization beyond what its leadership wishes to do, particularly when the leadership is long entrenched. Perhaps SPJ will see the role that freelancers play, particularly when more and more news rooms lay off staff and newspaper owners are left wondering how they will survive in the long run. But it will be action on the part of the organization as a whole that will tell.