Newsletter: Independent writers are an important facet of the media ecosystem, but a recent legal threat helps to remind me that it’s not the path for everyone.
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Newsletter: Independent writers are an important facet of the media ecosystem, but a recent legal threat helps to remind me that it’s not the path for everyone.
https://www.citationneeded.news/i-am-my-own-legal-department/
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The Washington Post’s choice not to endorse a candidate is only the most recent example of a bad decision by legacy media outlets prompting people to urge their staff to quit and go independent. I love being independent, but it’s also not without its challenges.
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I am my publication’s writer, editor, fact-checker, software team, legal department, customer service representative, social media intern, marketing branch, accountant, and everything else. Not everyone wants to wear that many hats.
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Molly Whitereplied to Molly White last edited by [email protected]
But for some people, like me, it’s an enormously rewarding option, and I’m always happy to help others who are interested in pursuing the same dream. The price of independence may be high, but the cost of silence is even greater.
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Now to put on my least favorite hat: please subscribe to support my work! Subscriptions are pay-what-you-want, and they allow me to never paywall any of my writing.
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@molly0xfff Maybe a cooperative? Retain one law office and share costs?
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@molly0xfff I'm wondering if they could band together for a new outlet, complete with corporate veil and shared resources?
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@shonin There are some independent media cooperatives (@flaminghydra comes to mind), though I don’t know what their legal support is like.
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@jamesmarshall Some writers (404, Defector, Aftermath) have gone that route!
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Regarding legal risks, would there be any benefit to operating as a corporation or nonprofit?
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@BorisBarbour probably a better question for a lawyer, i’m not sure. perhaps in terms of insulating assets, but there are ways to do that as a solo writer too
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@molly0xfff
Have the folks in your world talked about forming some kind of professional association? Something that could provide legal cover and representation, as well as setting technical and ethical standards. -
Molly Whitereplied to sleepy62 last edited by [email protected]
@sleepy62 various folks have gone in various directions — coops, worker-owned organizations, etc. i’m also a part of the national writer’s union which has the freelance solidarity project. i’ve definitely thought about trying to band together with other writers in some way, but organizing that would also be another hat i’d have to wear!
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@molly0xfff I had no idea Citation Needed was your full time job (or the scale you were doing this at). Amazing work.
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@iramjohn thank you! yes, it’s been my primary gig for almost exactly a year now!
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@molly0xfff
Done. -
@heymarkreeves thank you so much!
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@molly0xfff If you can pass on a small typo to your editor, looks like there's a word missing in:
The abject terror of “what [if] this
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If you have time to outline them, what are those methods for insulating assets as a solo writer?
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@BorisBarbour just the typical advice about individual liability protection via LLCs
