Code of Practice
for commissioning journalists
1 |
Staff journalists hiring freelances have a duty to see that these freelances are treated reasonably. |
2 |
Conditions and rates of pay should be established clearly when the work is accepted or commissioned, preferably in writing. |
3 |
Freelances shall be paid in all cases for providing background information, tips, research material, expertise, etc. |
4 |
Work commissioned or accepted should be paid for at a date agreed at the time of commissioning or acceptance, which should normally be no more than one month after delivery. |
5 |
Staff journalists shall check that the right payments are made at the proper time to freelances they hire, and mistakes in payment should be rectified immediately. |
6 |
Work, including photographs, should be by-lined or credited on the same basis as for staff unless the contributor has agreed that this should be omitted. |
7 |
Copyright should remain with the freelance unless a specific signed agreement to transfer it has been made with the freelance in each case. |
8 |
Artwork and photographs should remain the property of the freelance unless a specific signed agreement is made transferring ownership, and should be returned to the freelance after use. |
9 |
Freelances should be paid expenses on at least the same basis as the staff, and preferably these should be advanced before expenditure is incurred. |
10 |
Freelance work should go to freelance members of the NUJ and not moonlighters. |
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Text © NUJ. Comments to ffg@londonfreelance.org please. You may find the glossary helpful.