I am developing a list of resources for freelance writers, journalists, bloggers and others who want to contribute to media with credibility and confidence.

This is a work in progress and certainly very incomplete. But it does provide some tools for new or untrained journalists and it will expand over time. I welcome suggestions, additions and corrections.

For recommended books for writers, please go to my list in progress. (LINK/List coming)

For resources on finding freelance writing or editing assignments, I’m hoping to create this list this winter. (LINK/list coming later)

JOURNALIST BASICS:

The Society of Professional Journalists has a code of ethics that is clear and compels us to seek truth.

For basic advice on good journalism practices, a variety of organizations and websites provide good advice. I read  The Poynter Institute’s blogs and others TBA.

If you are writing something and you are not sure if it’s accurate or truthful, “when in doubt, leave it out.”  If you are concerned about being sued or charged with libel, talk to your editor and review the basics of libel law online. (Details to come later)

If you want to understand copyright laws, it’s quite simple:  As you write something, and save it on your computer or in your notebook, you are creating material that belongs to you, that is under your personal copyright. (You do not have to put any symbol on it though that’s not a bad idea.) You can sell that material for one-time use, for use in a variety of ways – or give away all the copyrights to it. Find out what the media outlet wants and get it in writing, preferably in a contract that spells out copyright and payment terms too. Make sure you are receiving something of value for your writing and especially if the publisher wants the copyright, or the right to reuse the piece again and again.

 

Seeking work as a journalist try these:

 - Journalismjobs.com seems to have the broadest array of job openings, including some freelance

MediaBistro.com still is New York centric with a handful outside it.

JournalismNext.com for minority candidates.

To locate a variety of national and regional journalism organizations, check out this list compiled by TK

FOIA -

Freedom of Information Acts can pry loose material and data from governmental sources, including local, state and federal agencies, city council members and much more.  It does not apply to businesses, though sometimes you can extract business information from government agencies. It’s not that difficult to make a FOIA request but it does take extra time (sometimes days, sometimes weeks or months.)

Michigan Press Association - FAQs give information on libel, FOIA

Citizen Media Law Project - Produced by the Berkman Center, it offers legal information on newsgathering, privacy, access to government information and more.

First Amendment Center -  Run by Vanderbilt University, it offers a library of articles and information related to the press and religious freedoms.

Lists of journalism research tools, tips:

Bill Dedman’s Power Reporting offers a worthwhile collection of sites, appears to be last updated in 2009.

Alan Schlein’s Deadline Online has a huge list of “people finder” websites.

Journalism organizations and associations:

More to come here soon

Online News Association –  Check out their interactive narratives examples, seminars and other resources. I may yet join this org.

Reynolds Center for Business Journalism – Free training in webinars, blog posts, other useful information to improve coverage of business and the economy. Affiliated with Arizona State University j-school.

 

For more advanced tools for journalists, see this page of ideas and resources. (LINK / list coming later)

LOCAL, REGIONAL, MICHIGAN:

Ann Arbor District Library: Besides the many books on writing, grammar and subjects of interest, consider:

Online research resources available by topic at http://www.aadl.org/research (from outside of AADL, you may need to login to your AADL account to access some) and no login required to staff-collected links:  http://www.aadl.org/research/sites
Downtown we have a local history area: books covering A2 Public School minutes, City Directories, A2 high school yearbooks, City Council proceedings, past issues of the Ann Arbor Observer, census data, genealogy information, and books on the history of Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor Observer and its annual City Guide – great resource, out in summer. Also check its phenomenal calendar for unusual organizations and events.

Arborwiki - Thousands of pages of information (including one about me!)

AnnArbor.com and Ann Arbor News — Six months’ of copies are available at the AADL. Online it’s searchable but remember: Much of the content was fluffy or seens to promote certain businesses or individuals. The Library is digitizing some old copies of the Ann Arbor News at TBA.

See MLive for some older Ann Arbor News stories or go to the library and search.

 

TKTKTK http://www.omln.org/- http://www.omln.org/ – connects lawyers and law school clinics with online journalists and others who need legal help. Services may be at reduced rates or free.

Poynter Institute offers blog posts that give how-to advice on writing, editing, communicating and other topics important to journalists.

Muckrack.com – Quick scan on breaking news, trends. Site allows you to see what journalists are saying on Twitter, trending topics, more.