Oliver Bateman Does the WorkVerified account

I’d have to pore back over it when I have a chance. Happy to.

Thanks good brother.

I have no such agreements in place. Even the print piece I just did for Men's Health carries no such protections, but they (like VQR) have fact checkers combing every statement. But I don't generally cover breaking stuff or things that might trigger defamation litigation

That's part of the nature of places moving toward 100% 1099 labor -- investigative, topical work isn't great from a cost-benefit perspective. Historical pieces and largely harmless/positive or just offbeat features are much safer. Journalism goes kayfabe!

In 18+ years I believe there was one instance where a publication I worked for was threatened with accusations of defamation. Cannot recall the context. But I’m also confident the places I freelance for wouldn’t leave me culpable and exposed.

I mean, you’d hope so—like HuffPost stepping up for Yashar—but it’s better guaranteed. God bless the @gmgunion for getting that protection in for freelancers and not just the staff/union members.

I am 10000 percent with you on union inclusion for freelancers, and have broached the issue with relevant parties in my own career.

Freelancers aren’t in the union, but the union has been on the side of the freelancers in various ways, including this one.