I beat the papers to stories, reported them, but didn't get a mention. help 4 newbie? - Freelance UK Forums

curious · 10-15-2008, 08:27 AM

Hi,

Last weekend, after browsing this site, and journalism.co.uk etc I decided to stop talking about doing freelance journalism, and start doing. I set up feeds and in one night got two very up to date stories researched and wrote up articles on them. By the time the newspaper's staff (I sent stories to two relevant papers) got in the door, there were incident reports ready and waiting. They needed, perhaps, a little updating as the day progressed, but I'd broken the back of the stories and researched all details of the incident up to when I sent them.

One paper told me that I had beaten them to it and were impressed with my stuff - I was told I'd probably get a call from the editor to talk. The other had no idea by ten in the morning that the incident I'd reported had occurred, and when I phoned and got him to check his inbox, he called it a little gem!

For both of these reports, I only requested a byline, in order to build up my portfolio, and I just wanted to be noticed.

In both cases, the stories have been followed up, completely re-written and I've nothing to show for the work I did.

How else am I supposed to go about this?

I can't copywrite information, because they can just research it the next day, I can only copywrite MY take on the story, right?

Just need some experienced guidance if it's not too much trouble.

Thanks,

Chris

curious · 10-21-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious

Hi,

Just need some experienced guidance if it's not too much trouble.

Thanks,

Chris

Hmmm....obviously it is!

Drew_44 · 01-24-2009, 08:17 PM

i just joined this site and noticed your post. some time ago it was. did you manage to get any advice on that? it looks like there isn't much interaction going on here.

What you experienced is unfortunately something very common in journalism and media as i'm sure you're aware. it's very difficult to prove someone has stolen an idea but you can ask for a non disclosure agreement to be signed if you have ideas and you're meeting someone in person.

on the positive side you've shown that you can beat papers to stories. that's an impressive thing to show potential employers.

lazy · 02-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Perhaps the reason it was not attributed to you was (and I am not accusing you of this), but it was not in the style of their newspaper, or perhaps your writing skills were not up to scratch.

Another reason would be, why would they go to an outside source who has given them a great tip, when they can send a professionally trained journalist who they trust to follow the story.

Out of interest, it would be cool to know what feeds you use

10-15-2008, 08:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
curious New Poster Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2	I beat the papers to stories, reported them, but didn't get a mention. help 4 newbie? Hi, Last weekend, after browsing this site, and journalism.co.uk etc I decided to stop talking about doing freelance journalism, and start doing. I set up feeds and in one night got two very up to date stories researched and wrote up articles on them. By the time the newspaper's staff (I sent stories to two relevant papers) got in the door, there were incident reports ready and waiting. They needed, perhaps, a little updating as the day progressed, but I'd broken the back of the stories and researched all details of the incident up to when I sent them. One paper told me that I had beaten them to it and were impressed with my stuff - I was told I'd probably get a call from the editor to talk. The other had no idea by ten in the morning that the incident I'd reported had occurred, and when I phoned and got him to check his inbox, he called it a little gem! For both of these reports, I only requested a byline, in order to build up my portfolio, and I just wanted to be noticed. In both cases, the stories have been followed up, completely re-written and I've nothing to show for the work I did. How else am I supposed to go about this? I can't copywrite information, because they can just research it the next day, I can only copywrite MY take on the story, right? Just need some experienced guidance if it's not too much trouble. Thanks, Chris

02-04-2009, 08:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
lazy New Poster Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	I'm afraid so Perhaps the reason it was not attributed to you was (and I am not accusing you of this), but it was not in the style of their newspaper, or perhaps your writing skills were not up to scratch. Another reason would be, why would they go to an outside source who has given them a great tip, when they can send a professionally trained journalist who they trust to follow the story. Out of interest, it would be cool to know what feeds you use

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01-24-2009, 08:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drew_44 New Poster Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2	i just joined this site and noticed your post. some time ago it was. did you manage to get any advice on that? it looks like there isn't much interaction going on here. What you experienced is unfortunately something very common in journalism and media as i'm sure you're aware. it's very difficult to prove someone has stolen an idea but you can ask for a non disclosure agreement to be signed if you have ideas and you're meeting someone in person. on the positive side you've shown that you can beat papers to stories. that's an impressive thing to show potential employers.