Thread by @makesyoucakes

Crisis reporting for freelancers in India - A thread 

When violent protests broke out in Guwahati, a few unsettling realisations dawned on me as a freelance journalist. Putting them together for the benefit of others like me but more imp publications/channels that hire us.

1/n A presscard is the most sacrosanct during crisis. Of course, there's every chance of you being unable to escape harm despite one but it is a useful, even if temporary, shield.

Most editors I spoke to at the time said they could only offer me an official letter. That's nice but when the cops or a mob comes at you with batons or lethal weapons, they're not going to stop to read a letter. I think the best experienced journalists know this too well.

2/n Time is of the essence. This may vary for different freelancers but as someone who writes features and big picture, I wasn't looking to break news. Yet, when the situation is rapidly developing, it's not unreasonable to push editors to prioritize our copies.

Re writes are a part of the job especially when a copy gets dated but always discuss and clarify with your editor whether they're expecting a news copy, which includes exclusives, or a big picture or a new or unexplored angle etc.

3/n Internet blockade. 

This was the trickiest learning curve, personally for me since whatever little WiFi I managed to get was used in posting live updates from the ground on Twitter and Instagram.

Apart from TV and local papers, local journos in cut off corners may not even know of the narratives being spread in national media in such situations. Editors would do a world of favour by telling up front what they don't want or what they want to verify/understand better.

4/n Haggling rates. 

I know this varies based on experience but for crisis situations, can we please fix a respectable standard rate? Sorry but no one should put their life and limb at risk for 3000 rs. I know that many stringers in the hinterland do that. and unfairly so.

Apart from reporting and moving around negotiating with aggressive mobs or escaping any blows from policing, I lost precious filing time haggling my rates with pubs. It seemed surreal because my work is up for anyone to see so you give me a good rate or just turn me away.

5/n Tyranny of distance in the digital age. 

I expected that Assam, at least from the rest of NE, would be well covered like Kashmir. But it took 3-4 days since the bill for many editors to commission. That too after I was live tweeting throughout it all.

Why is NE still an after thought?
Also, once violence is over here, it's no longer a story apparently because they can't run 'Northeast burning' headlines. This reduces the region to a bunch of savages who either react in violence or suffer State sponsored violence

The issues raised here may not directly deal with press freedom but industry ethics and practices are the bigger reasons people don't want to stay in journalism any longer.

And with reporting budgets getting cut and bureaus shutting down, independent journalists are the folks filling the gap. Some of the biggest scoops and stories this year have been done by freelancers, so don't sit and take on pity on us.

Maybe start with downsizing those click bait opinions written by 'seasoned' journalists to begin with. Reporting is not Signal chats, WhatsApp groups or press club banter, unless you are going on the ground.

End of thread.