Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Will Work for Smørrebrød: Freelance Writers at the U.N.'s Copenhagen Climate Fest

I had to rejigger the Columbia Journalism Review's headline.
[words I never thought I'd read -ed.]
From the CJR's The Observatory blog:

“Will Work in Copenhagen”

SEJ launches freelancers’ board for climate meeting

The United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen this December will undoubtedly be an international media circus of the highest order. Many of the journalists there will be wandering bards, however, reciting tales on the spot for anyone willing to listen or, God willing, pay them.

In an effort to assist those lone travelers, as well as news outlets that need help covering the summit, the Society of Environmental Journalists has created a page on its Web site listing available freelancers, many of who will attend regardless. The service, called The Copenhagen Connection, is open to society members and non-members alike.

“It was inspired by a newspaper editor I know asking me last week for a reference on an SEJ member who had contacted him directly,” society board member and Baltimore Sun reporter Tim Wheeler wrote in an e-mail. “After that, I posted on [the society’s e-mail list] asking if there was much interest in a ‘job-wanted’ board focused on boosting coverage of the Copenhagen summit. After a flurry of positive responses, we set up the simple Web listing you see.”

At press time, fifteen journalists had posted their contact information, qualifications, and availability, and the list appeared to be growing. The page notes that the Society of Environmental Journalists “provides this listing as a public service to promote more coverage of this important issue, but it does not constitute a recommendation of those listed.” But the list already comprises many experienced freelancers, as well staffers and columnists for publications like Scientific American and The Washington Post....MORE