Freelance Forum by the Sea: Pitching Clever and Getting Paid

Freelance workers face many challenges - everything from getting the pitch right to getting paid, working alone to managing accounts and tax returns. 

NUJ Brighton's Freelance Forum by the Sea is a one-day event to support journalists, writers, broadcasters, bloggers, podcasters, designers and photographers in successful pitching, tax & accounting, tackling loneliness and getting motivated.

You'll hear from successful freelance journalists and other media professionals who've carved out solo careers. There'll also be plenty of opportunities to network with both speakers and fellow freelancers. 

We hope to be able to share sorrows and successes over a picnic lunch on the beach (weather permitting).

Open to NUJ members and non-members - £5-£25. The venue near Brighton seafront is fully wheelchair accessible and we will hire a signer if requested 7 days or more in advance. 

Saturday 8 June 2019.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/freelance-forum-by-the-sea-pitching-clever-and-getting-paid-tickets-59585459714?fbclid=IwAR1mzvhPu0jmXzUhExol8LBjDgWeCVZzPqBciB6NDeTIWRaWYy0CUX2v2W8

Not yet a member of the NUJ? Join today! www.nuj.org.uk/join/

Jim Acosta joins the NUJ Brighton branch

3 December 2018

The Brighton and Sussex branch is preparing to toast its latest member - CNN correspondent and scourge of Donald Trump’s White House Jim Acosta.

There will be an empty chair in the front row of the next Brighton and Sussex branch meeting - and the members are delighted. That seat is now reserved for CNN’s Jim Acosta, the journalist who was stripped of his White House press pass by Donald Trump and then succeeded in having the decision overturned in court.

Branch secretary Brian Williams explains:

"Like journalists everywhere, we were appalled by the dispute between Trump and a highly respected member of the White House press corps.

"What sort of president thinks it’s okay to call a correspondent a 'rude, terrible person' simply because he’s been asked a difficult question?

"Then Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Sanders, shared a video that appears to have been doctored in an attempt to show Jim reacting aggressively to the intern who tried to take the microphone from him during the press conference. And if all that wasn’t bad enough, Jim’s press pass was revoked - a decision that was later overturned by a judge.

"It’s easy to shrug your shoulders and think: well, what else do you expect from Trump? But this was far more serious than that - it was part of the US president’s determined and deliberate attack on a free press.

"In Brighton and Sussex we wanted to demonstrate our support for a fellow journalist who found himself at the centre of an issue that affects us all - not least because Jim conducted himself with such dignity, courtesy and professionalism throughout. So we invited him to join our branch as an honorary member.

"As you can imagine, we were thrilled when he accepted and tweeted that we had just recruited a distinguished new member. It went gangbusters! According to Twitter, 100,000 people have seen that tweet. If they all turn up at our next meeting we’re going to need a bigger room.

"On a more sinister note, a few 'fake news' trolls used it as a chance to abuse Jim, which is of course outrageous but sadly an all-too-common problem for journalists no matter where they work. That’s why we all have to stand up for journalism at every available opportunity.

"We do recognise that Jim may have problems getting to every branch meeting - it’s a fair old step from Washington DC to Brighton. But we will reserve a seat for him - which, he tells us, he’s looking forward to taking when he can.

"We see Jim as a role model for every one of our branch members, so we’ll be raising a glass to him at future meetings and at our Christmas party - which is on Tuesday 11 December if you’re free that evening.

"We haven’t decided on the toast yet, but at branch meetings we do our best to keep matters short and to the point. In line with that policy, I’ll be voting for: Jim Acosta - the journalist’s journalist. We salute you."

Story on NUJ site

https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/jim-acosta-brighton/

Christmas Party

We'd like to buy you a drink (and give you a nibble!) - so please join us for the branch Christmas party on Tuesday, December 11. If you enjoyed our summer social, you'll love this.

We've booked an area of Easy Tiger Brighton, which you may know better as The Hampton on Upper North Street, Brighton, from 7pm onwards. What better way to meet fellow NUJ members? And if you know someone who isn't a member but might like to join, bring them along.

To ensure we reserve the right amount of space we need to have an idea of numbers. So if you fancy coming, let us know.

And if that isn't enough excitement for one diary, don't forget we have a regular branch meeting this Thursday (Nov 29) in The Craft Beer Co pub. We gather from 7pm and start the meeting at half-past. It's a packed agenda (including the Johnston Press fall-out, help for freelances and mentoring for young journalists) but we look to be finished by 8.45. Some of us like to socialise afterwards, but it's not compulsory! Hope to see you soon.

Brian Williams
(On behalf of the branch committee)

Next meeting: Thursday, November 29 7pm

The recently revitalised Brighton and Sussex branch is going from strength to strength – which is just as well in these troubled times.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, November 29, and there is much to talk about. How can we best support our colleagues in Johnston Press following the company's controversial sale? How can we help freelances maximise their income? How can we give young journalists starting out on their careers the help and training they deserve? We've got a number of suggestions, but we'd really like to know what you think.

As usual, the idea is to gather at the Craft Beer Co pub in Upper North Street, Brighton, from 7pm, with the meeting itself starting at 7.30.

If you're slightly nervous at the thought of walking into a room full of strangers, don't worry. We're a friendly lot who are more interested in making new friends than debating tedious motions for hours on end. And parents may be interested to note that we are now able to offer a contribution of up to £30 towards childcare costs for those who wouldn’t have been able to get there otherwise.

Hope to see you there.

Brian Williams

(On behalf of the branch committee)

October-fest Branch meeting: Nancy Platts and Chris Wheal

It’s branch meeting time again – and have we got a stellar line-up for you this month!

Star of the show is suffragette and trade union activist Clementina Black – friend of Eleanor Marx and the first person to move a resolution at the TUC calling for equal gender pay. Sadly, Clementina can’t be there in person owing to the unfortunate fact she died in 1922. But her memory will be honoured by Brighton & Hove City councillor Nancy Platts, who is spearheading a campaign to have a blue plaque put up outside the house in Ship Street where she was born. A small NUJ contribution towards the cost will be proposed.

Also on the bill, and very much alive, is Chris Wheal – a driving force behind the union’s charity, NUJ Active. Chris has some incredible stories to tell of fellow journalists who have fallen on hard times, and how they have then been helped by NUJ Active. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and – if Chris is on his usual form – you’ll willingly put your hand in your pocket when he’s finished.

There are some branch affairs to attend to as well, not least giving some thought to our Christmas social and how we can best take the show on the road to places such as Worthing, Eastbourne and Lewes. But once that’s done we can get down to the serious business of gossiping, networking and making new friends.

So, make a note in your diary now. The branch meeting is on Thursday, October 25. As usual, the idea is to gather at the Craft Beer Co pub in Upper North Street, Brighton, from 7pm, with the meeting itself starting at 7.30. And parents may be interested to note that, following our last get-together, we are now able to offer a contribution of up to £30 towards childcare costs for those who wouldn’t have been able to get there otherwise.

If you can’t make it to the meeting, but would like to know more, drop us a line. And don’t forget that branch officers are able to help, advise and represent you where there is no chapel official to do so (which, sadly, is just about the case everywhere in the branch at present).

We hope to see you on Thursday, October 25.

Best wishes

Brian Williams (on behalf of the branch committee)

http://www.thecraftbeerco.com/brighton/

Tomorrow's meeting: AGM and Wetherspoons strike

Wetherspoons' staff in Brighton are planning to go on strike. Find out why, when and how we can support them from their union reps at this week's NUJ branch meeting.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/16610332.brighton-wetherspoons-staff-threaten-strike-action-over-poverty-wages/

You'll also get the chance to meet Richard Palmer, the man who represents this area on the union’s NEC. He wants to know what the NUJ can do for you.

This will be our annual general meeting – at which the branch officers for the coming year will be elected. Posts up for election include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. We also need an enthusiastic and energetic committee. If you’re interested in taking a more active role, or simply want to know more, contact acting branch secretary Brian Williams using this email address.

The meeting is on Thursday 27 September in the Craft Beer Company pub (22-23 Upper North Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3FG), starting at 7pm. And if you've never been to a branch meeting before, don't worry. We like to keep it all as informal as possible and are much keener on making new friends than passing tedious motions. It would be great to see you there!

Draft agenda

1. Attendance sheet
2. Introduce guests (Richard Palmer and Wetherspoons striker)
3. Wetherspoons speaker
4. Minutes of last meeting
5. Matters arising not covered elsewhere in the agenda
6. Motion: The branch agrees that this meeting shall be the AGM for 2018
7. Election of officers
8. Election of new members
9. Richard Palmer Q&A
10. Motion by BW: This branch agrees to cover the childcare costs of members attending properly constituted meetings organised by us up to a maximum of £20
11. Ideas about promoting the branch
12. Correspondence
13. Chapel reports
14. Next meeting(s) date and location
15. AOB

AGM 2018

Our annual general meeting – at which the branch officers for the coming year will be elected – is on Thursday 27 September in the Craft Beer Co pub (22-23 Upper North Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3FG), starting at 7pm.

Posts up for election include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. We also need an enthusiastic and active committee. Are you interested in equality? Or disability issues? Maybe you'd like to help increase the training opportunities for journalists in our area. Whatever it is you'd like to become involved with, we'd like to hear about it. Simply contact acting branch secretary Brian Williams, using this email address.

We will also be considering ways that the branch can best help NUJ members throughout Sussex. If you've got any thoughts on that, again we'd love to hear them – either by email or, better still if you can make it, at the meeting itself.

And if you've never been to a branch meeting before, don't worry. We like to keep it all as informal as possible and are much keener on making new friends than passing tedious motions. It would be great to see you there!

Summer Social

The branch summer social is this week. It's in the Fortune of War pub on Brighton seafront on Wednesday, August 22, starting at 6pm. Join fellow NUJ members (and those who are thinking of signing up) for a drink and a bite to eat. Networking is permitted, but you are perfectly at liberty to simply have a good time if you prefer.

 The next branch meeting will be on September 27 in the Craft Beer Company pub (22-23 Upper North Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3FG), starting at 7.30pm. At this meeting we will elect the branch officers for the coming year.

 The posts up for election are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. We also need an enthusiastic and active committee. If you'd like to take on any of these roles, or know someone else who would, send your nominations to acting branch secretary Brian Williams, using  nujbrighton@gmail.com.

Next meeting: Tuesday, 25 October, 7pm for 7.30pm start AGM at the Craft Beer Pub

Tuesday, 25 October, 7pm for 7.30pm start is confirmed for our AGM at the Craft Beer co pub, Brighton.

www.thecraftbeerco.com/brighton/

Agenda

1. Apologies
2. Secretary's Report
3. Treasurer's Report
4. Trades Council Report
5. AGM: Election of New Chairperson
6. AGM: Election of New Secretary
7. AGM: Election of any other vacant positions
8. Xmas party
9. Any Other Business

Next meeting, this Wednesday: guest speaker NUJ President Tim Dawson

Next meeting, this Wednesday: guest speaker NUJ President Tim Dawson

28 September 2016 at 7 for 7.30pm, at the Craft Beer Company, Upper North Street, Brighton
thecraftbeerco.com/pubs/brighton/

Interested in helping run the branch?

Come to our 28 September meeting to find out more.

Agenda

1. Welcome and apologies
2. Election of new members
3. Treasurer's report
4. Junior doctors
5. Kickstarter for London recruits film
6. Brighton & Worthing Coach to TUC Tory Party Conference Demo + donation
7. Christmas Party 
8. Guests for future meetings
9. AOB

All welcome!

Summer party!

Save the date

Summer Party:
Thursday 25 August at 7pm until midnight
 at the Fortune of War 157 King's Road, Brighton BN1 1NB http://www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/fortune-of-war 

 More details will follow 

 All welcome!

Report of our last meeting in the Guardian

Umit Ozturk, speaking at the Craft Beer Co. Photo by Fred Pipes

Report by John Keenan:

https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/jul/28/turkish-journalist-tells-of-lack-of-media-ethics-after-failed-coup

Next meeting: Wednesday, 27 July at 7 for 7.30pm, Craft Beer Company - guest speaker Umit Ozturk

Next meeting: guest speaker Umit Ozturk

Wednesday, 27 July at 7 for 7.30pm, Craft Beer Company, Upper North Street, Brighton
thecraftbeerco.com/pubs/brighton/

“Turkey: The biggest prison for journalists in the world”- Can Dundar, who was released from prison recently:

Umit Ozturk will talk about the threats against freedom of press in Turkey with examples on censorship, restrictions and bans on media as well as practices of intimidation, prosecution, imprisonment and attacks against journalists and media activists.

Umit Ozturk is a qualified journalist and linguist from Turkey who has lived in the UK since 1992. He has worked as a human rights reporter, editor, broadcaster, book trader and publisher, media analyst and trainer, with expertise on freedom of press, social media and cyber rights and liberties.

He was actively involved in press freedom organisations including Amnesty International Journalists Network as their chair (1998-2010) and a co-founder and co-director of the first UK chapter of Reporters sans Frontieres (2003-2004), as a consultant for Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (1997-2006), and a contributor to Index on Censorship (1995-2004). He was awarded several media prizes throughout 1990s.

Umit is the founder and current coordinator of the Brighton-based community support charity Euro-Mediterranean Resources Network (2001 - ). He is also a poet, community radio producer, playwright, community cook, and a stand-up performer.

As this is likely to be a popular meeting please RSVP via http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2583656

All Welcome!

Agenda 

1. Welcome and apologies
2. Election of new members
3. Treasurer's report
4. Trades Council report
5. Summer Party date and venue
6. Guests for future meetings
7. AOB

Next meeting: Wednesday 29 June at the Craft Beer Co - Guest speaker Elizabeth Ingrams

7 for 7.30 Craft Beer Co http://thecraftbeerco.com/pubs/brighton/

Elizabeth Ingrams has worked extensively in Japan including for the Japan Times, Eland Books, the Japan Literature Promotion Project. Her anthology of travel in Japan, Japan Through Writers’ Eyes, has recently been republished. In Hiroshima, Japan, the average age of the survivors of the world’s first nuclear attack, known as hibakusha, is 80 years old. In a few years’ time it is likely that none of the first-hand witnesses will be around to remember the event.

During the post-war period in Japan, when the word ‘atomic bomb’ was censored under US occupation (1945-1952), the narratives of the hibakusha were marginalized and the history of the end of World War Two was played down as part of post-war reconstruction through a kind of collective amnesia or forgetting.

The hibakusha are coming forward to tell their experiences due to an urgent desire to continue to pass on to the next generation the horror and tragedy of nuclear war and its results for humanity.

This talk by Elizabeth Ingrams will cover ways of investigating survivors' stories; approaching sensitive subjects. She will also talk about her work within the NUJ to promote and re-frame its antinuclear policy. Her work is motivated by the goal of helping change attitudes toward the end of World War Two. Her website is at https://elizabethingrams.wordpress.com

Next meeting: Wednesday 18 May 2016 at Craft Beer Co

Agenda

Wednesday, 18 May at 7pm for 7.30, Craft Beer Company, Upper North Street, Brighton
thecraftbeerco.com/pubs/brighton/

1. Welcome
2. Election of new members
3. Treasurers report
4. Trades Council report
5. Southport DM report
6. Hands Off Our Schools Brighton & Hove campaign donation
7. Talks 
8. Summer party
9. AOB