Freelance Forum: Recent Episodes
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Freelance Forum is a series of events to inform, educate and update freelance journalists in Ireland on the latest workplace and industry developments. The Forum is made possible by support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the National Union of Journalists.
The Hazards of Reporting from the Middle East, with freelance journalist Deaglán de Bréadún
Freelance Forum 95The Editors: Pitching to The PressGCN editor Alice Linehan, and Business Post head of news Peter O’Dwyer talk with journalist Priyanka Borpujari about pitching stories and the commissioning process
Opening Address at the Spring 2025 Freelance Forum on 14 AprilKarlin Lillington on "Skynet for Journalism? Dealing with Artificial intelligence"
Opening remarks from Seamus Dooley, NUJ deputy general secretary, at the Spring 2025 Freelance Forum.
Freelance Forum 91: Journalist Henry Bauress and others talk about media coverage and disinformation issues around the Irish General Election, recorded at the Punchestown Count Centre during the counts for the Kildare North and Kildare South constituencies.
This Freelancing LifeNUJ life membership recipients Fr Brian D’Arcy, Peter Murtagh, and Pat Ruddy talk with Stephanie Costello, freelance journalist looking back on a career in journalism – and other careers.With an introduction by Seamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary
The Editors: Pitching to The Press - Jillian Bolger, Weekend/food & travel editor, Irish Examiner and Karen Morgan, Ireland Visuals editor, The Sunday Times talk with freelance journalist Stephanie Costello about pitching in the current newspaper environment, and the art of the pitch, with particular emphasis on popular news media.
The world of publishing. Traditional print publishing, e-publishing, and independent publishing, with literary agent Jonathan Williams and writers Gerald M Kilby and Kieran Fagan
Reporting on climate change: Irish Independent environmental correspondent Caroline O'Doherty, journalist Rosalind Skillen and tv/film climate editor Elaine Walsh talking with freelance journalist Priyanka Borpujari
RTÉ broadcaster and NUJ joint vice president Fran McNulty talks about the challenges facing journalists. Also heard is NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley
Freelance Forum 85: Writer and activist Liz Carolan talks about her newsletter The Briefing, which monitors political advertising expenditure by political parties, both online and in print and other media, and dealing with disinformation online. You can subscribe to the newsletter at https://thebriefing.ie
Freelance Forum 84: the Future of Media in Ireland, and Artificial Intelligence. A Halloween Story.Check our Freelance Forum https://dublinfreelance.org/freelance-forum-autumn-2024/
Writer and journalist Joe Armstrong talks about how journalism covers religion, and why journalists need to hold on to their scepticism when reporting on religious issues. Substack: Joe the Human Substack: https://joearmstrong.substack.comPodcast: Losing My Religion: https://LosingMyReligion.Podbean.comJoe Armstrong's Memoirs: Losing Religion, Finding Myself: A Memoir Series: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C71Q2XK7 In My Gut, I Don't Believe: A Memoir, by Joe Armstrong: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/095466101X Saved By A Woman: A Second Memoir, by Joe Armstrong: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0954661028 Joe Armstrong's website: https://JoeArmstrong.ie
Brian Greene, Outreach and Training Coordinator at Dublin Community Television, talks about the world of community television, how it can provide an outlet both for community groups and for freelance journalists, the differences between television and radio production, and plans for the future.Brian also runs the websites radio.ie and pirate.ie
Robert Dunne talks with business journalist, publisher and media trainer Frank Dillon of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.
Freelance Forum 80: Daire Dempsey, policy officer with the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (teni.ie) talks about issues facing transgender people in Ireland, the good and the bad of media coverage, and what they would like to see improving in the future.Further resources and information at https://teni.ieSmall Trans Library: https://smalltranslibrary.org/Trans Equality Together: https://www.transequalitytogether.com/
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, media development commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán, talks about the latest work on the Courts Reporting Scheme and the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme, the timetable for rolling out the schemes, and issues in fair and balanced coverage of election and referendum campaigns in Irish news outlets.Freelance Forum is produced by Dublin Freelance NUJ and made possble by support from Coimisiún na Meán.
Fergal Crehan is a barrister, with an interest in privacy and data protection.He speaks on staying safe online as journalists, personal privacy safeguards, and protecting work and personal data and sources.
Freelance Forum 77: Newsletters. Marketing consultant Drew Sheil and Dublin Inquirer co-founder Sam Tranum discuss the use of email newsletters to report news and as a way for freelance journalists to promote their own work. The discussion is chaired by freelance journalist Stephanie Costello. Recorded live at the Spring 2024 Freelance Forum on 8 April 2024.
Freelance Forum 76: Pitching To Editors with Jo Linehan (Sunday Times Climate magazine) Charlie Taylor (Business Post, Connected) and freelance journalist Kathryn Johnston, recorded at the Spring 2024 Freelance Forum on 8 April 2024 in Dublin
Freelance Forum 75: Tim Dawson, deputy general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists and a former president of the NUJ, delivers an opening address on Journalism In Troubled Times at the Spring 2024 Freelance Forum event in Dublin on 8 April 2024.
Freelance Forum 74: From the Spring 2024 Forum, Priyanka Borpujari, James Casey [https://ilmi.ie/], Paula Fagan [https://lgbt.ie], and Aoife Kavanagh [https://www.unhcr.org/ie] discuss media diversity and issues of inclusion and equality. both in newsrooms, and in news coverage.
Journalist Walaa Sabah talks about life in Palestine, being separated from her family since last year, and the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.Walaa Sabah is the project manager of We Are Not Numbers. She previously held the position of community outreach and partnership officer.In 2022, Walaa won the UK’s prestigious Chevening scholarship and earned a first-class MSC degree in business with operations management from Warwick Business School.She works as a freelance journalist. You can read her articles on the MEE, EI, Mondoweiss, and the New Arab.Contact Walaa Sabah at Walaa@wearenotnumbers.org
Freelance Forum is a regular one day event designed to keep freelance journalists up to date with the latest developments in their industry. Aimed at writers, photographers and PR practitioners, and hoping to cover print, broadcast and online media, it is organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ branch with support from Coimisiún na MeánBook now for #FreelanceForum Spring 2024Get the lowdown on newsletters, Meet commissioning editors. personal safety briefing, diversity issues.Know a freelance journalist? Or an aspiring student or recent graduate? Tell a friend, tell a freelancer.Monday 8 April, Pearse Centre, 27 Pearse Street, Dublin 2.https://dublinfreelance.org/freelance-forum-spring-2024/
Freelance Forum 72: The future of journalism, technological challenges, and advice to freelancers with Jeff Jarvis, American journalist and the Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation and director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.Jeff Jarvis is the author of Geeks Bearing Gifts: Imagining New Futures for News (CUNY Journalism Press, 2014), Public Parts: How Sharing in the Digital Age Improves the Way We Work and Live (Simon & Schuster, 2011), What Would Google Do? (HarperCollins 2009), and the Kindle Single Gutenberg the Geek. He blogs about media and news at Buzzmachine.com and cohosts the podcast This Week in Google [https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-google]
Malachi O'Doherty is a journalist, author and broadcaster in Northern Ireland. He talks with Gerard Cunningham about Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and the scene in Northern Ireland.Check his books on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/MalachiOD
Roba Aldereh spoke with Shamim Malekian, Nina Mishchenko, Razan Ibrahim, Heidar Al-Hashimi, and Carmelle Keane about the experiences and observations of non-Irish journalists who have come to study and work in Ireland.
Freelance Forum 69: Hope & Courage CollectiveMark Malone of the Hope & Courage Collective speaks about the challenges of reporting on the far right in Ireland.You can find out more about the Collective at https://hopecollectiveireland.ie/, and follow their social media accounts at https://twitter.com/hope_courage_iehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hope-courage-collective/https://www.instagram.com/hopecollectiveireland/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_UX_XehRaQ9KH5OO9O8PhgMore resources at https://hopeandcourage.ie/category/guides/
NUJ president Natasha Hirst talks about life as a freelance journalist and photographer, and how the NUJ can help.Recorded in Dublin at the Freelane Forum Autumn 2023 event on 16 October 2023. A PDF version of Natasha's presentation is available at https://dublinfreelance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FreelanceForumNatashaHirst.pdf
Freelance Forum Podcast Series Episode 68: Joy Echipue.Gerard Cunningham talks with Joy Echipue about URock Magazine, living in Ireland, and breaking into journalism.You can check our URock magazine at https://urockmagazine.com.ng, and order a copy of Joy's latest book, "Discover Your Unique Path" on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Discover-Your-Unique-Path-Unlearn/dp/1546471251
Aaron Rogan, Business Post deputy editor, Jennifer Stevens, Sunday Times features editor, Irish Tatler editor Jessie Collins, and Fiona Kenny talk about the pitching and commissioning process for freelancers.
Natasha Hirst, Seamus Dooley, Harry Browne, and Stephanie Costello talk about new technological and business challenges facing freelance journalists and news outlets.
Freelance Forum 64: Journalist Margaret Ward talks about travelling in Eastern Europe, the impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine has had on other countries in the region, and the benefits of an Interrail pass.
The Freelance Forum Autumn 2023 event takes place on Monday 16 October at the Gresham Hotel, Dublin.Reserve your place today at https://dublinfreelance.org/freelance-forum-autumn-2023/
Freelance Forum 63: As the Autumn draws closer and evenings begin to lengthen, Lucille Redmond talks about one option for evening courses that might be of interest to freelance writers and others looking for new creative outlets. You can sign up to the course at https://mitbe.enrol.ie/crumlinaesept23//mitlive/Register/coursePage.php?courseid=270 And you can follow Lucille at https://twitter.com/Redmond_Lucille and https://mastodon.ie/@sinabhfuil
Freelance Forum 62: The Freelance Life - Gerard Cunningham talks with Amy Fallon about working as a freelance journalist in various markets, the differences between working for news outlets and NGOs, enerating leads, and training and development for journalists. Find out more about Amy's work at www.amyfallon.com and www.amyfallon.com/media-and-communications-work/ You can follow Amy Fallon at www.amyfallon.com, or X/Twitter @amyfallon, and Mastodon @amyfallon@aus.social Some links mentioned by Amy during this podcast: https://impact.substack.com https://proximities.substack.com https://soniaweiser.wordpress.com/opportunities-of-the-week-newsletter/ https://www.sianmeadeswilliams.com https://www.journoresources.org.uk
Freelance Forum 61: As Coimisiún na Meán prepares for the future, Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill talks about plans for the development of the Sound+Vision and other funds inherited from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, new funding for democracy funds covering Courts Reporting and Local Democracy, and the roles of the different Commissioners.
Freelance Forum 60: For Pride Month, Gerard Cunningham spoke with activist Stephen Spillane and with Sinead Keane, director of communications and advocacy with BeLonG To about the issues and challenges in reporting on LGBTQ+ people and issues. Find out more here about http://www.BelongTo.org.
Irish Daily Mail Editor Eddie Coffey and Irish Daily Star Sports Editor David Coughlan speak with freelance journalist Stephanie Costello, about pitching to the popular press
RTÉ freedom of information deciding officer Richard Dowling, Niall Sargent, an investigative reporter with Noteworthy, and freelance journalist Robert Dunne speak about freedom of information legislation and access to environmental information regulations can work for freelance journalism.Recorded at the Spring 2023 Freelance Forum held at the Technological University of Dublin Grangegorman campus on 3 April 2023.
Dr Bridget Carroll from University College Cork and Darragh Walshe from the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society speak about how co-co-operative models can work for freelance journalism. Chaired by Berni Dwan, from the Spring 2023 Freelance Forum at Grangegorman TUD on 3 April 2023
Freelance Forum 56: Press Ombudsman Susan McKay talks about her career and the challenges facing journalists in Ireland at the Spring 2023 Freelance Forum. Recorded at Grangegorman TUD on 3 April 2023.
Aine O'Meara from Headline.ie talks about the Mental Health Fellowship for journalists. More information at https://headline.ie/fellowship
Yuk Lan Wong talks about the Local Media for Democracy fund from the European Federation of Journalists.You can find out more at https://europeanjournalists.org/local-media-for-democracy/
Solicitor and writer Simon McGarr talks about using Newsletters, and what he has learned from the experience on building a subscriber base, fundraising and personal branding, the value of a wonkish niche, and Dad jokes.You can subscribe to The Gist at https://www.thegist.ie/
Gerard Cunningham talks with Dan Kennedy, professor of Journalism at Northeastern University about the state of modern journalism, the future of local news, serving local communities, social media and journalism, and the possible impacts of "artificial intelligence" on newsrooms.You can follow Dan Kennedy on his blog, Media Nation: https://dankennedy.net/
Freelance Forum podcast episode 53: February 2023In the first part of this podcast, Gerard Cunningham spoke with Zlatina Siderova about the IJ4EU Freelancer Support Scheme.You can find more information about the scheme at https://www.investigativejournalismforeu.net/grants/freelancer-support-scheme/The Freelancer Support Scheme is managed by the European Journalism Centre. The European Journalism Centre (EJC) is an international non-profit headquartered in the Netherlands, working to support, strengthen and develop journalism.And in the same podcast, Áine O'Meara talks about mental health in the workplace, a series of workshops for freelance journalists.You can read about self care for journalists at https://headline.ie/self-care-for-journalists/An email update is being sent to members of Dublin Freleance NUJ, but if you did not receive a copy and you would like more information to reserve a place at one of the workshops, contact Gerard Cunningham, tribunalreporter@gmail.com
Freelance Forum Autumn 2022 Episode 52: Freelance journalist and writer Kieran Fagan talks about his experience in self-publishing a non-fiction book on Amazon as a paperback and as an e-book on Kindle, and how it compares with traditional publishing. You can order "Who Killed Patricia Curran?" by Kieran Fagan at the links below: Paperback - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Killed-Patricia-Curran-Vulnerable/dp/1739671902/ e-book on Kindle - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Killed-Patricia-Curran-Vulnerable-ebook/dp/B0B94Q7PNV
Freelance Forum 51: Freelance journalist Kieran Fagan talks with Donal O'Donavan (Irish Independent business editor) and Liam Boyle (BAI) discuss pitching, selling ideas, and future changes to the BAI, including S+V and local reporting funds. Recorded at the Freelance Forum Autumn 2022 live event on 1 October 2022 in Grangegorman TUD.
Freelance Forum 50: Freelance journalist Stephanie Costello spoke with The Ditch editor Eoghan McNeill and Irish Secretary of the NUJ Seamus Dooley about the future of journalism and freelancing. Recorded at the Autumn 2022 Freelance Forum live event held on Saturday 1 October at the Technological University of Dublin Grangegorman campus.
Freelance Forum 49: Freelance technology journalist Karlin Lillington talks about Mastodon and what the new wave of federated social networks could mean for journalists.
Freelance Forum 48: Is Investigative Journalism Worth The Effort? Noteworthy Editor Maria Delaney, journalist Conall Ó Fátharta, and Roman Shortall (The Ditch) speak with Fiona Kenny. Recorded live on 1 October at Freelance Forum Autumn 2022 at Grangegorman TUD.
Freelance Forum 47: John Devitt talks about the work of Transparency Ireland on public accountability, and how they work with journalists.
Freelance Forum 46: Fionnuala Croker is a press officer at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, where she has worked since March 2019. She talks about opportunities for freelance journalists in covering the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. Recorded at the Freelance Forum Autumn 2022 live event on 1 October 2022 in Grangegorman TUD.
Freelance Forum 45: Journalist Norma Costello talks about reporting from conflict zones, the particular hazards it presents, and the effects of disinformation and propaganda efforts on journalism. You can follow Norma's Twitter feed at @NormCos
Freelance Forum 44: Darren Mooney talks about writing on popular culture, reviewing and covering comic books, television and film, pitching to overseas publishers, and writing a non-fiction book. Follow Darren on Twitter @Darren_Mooney, and learn more about his work at https://them0vieblog.com/
Freelance Forum 43: Manchán Magan talks about working as a travel journalist and writer, how travel journalism has changed since he began working in the field, and environmentally responsible travel journalism. You can follow @ManchanMagan on Twitter, check out his latest books on his website https://www.manchan.com/ and don't forget to listen to his podcasts 'The Almanac of Ireland' and 'Home Stories'.
Freelance Forum 42: Rory Byrne of Security First Rory Byrne, co-founder of Security First talks about security measures for journalists. Rory Byrne is the founder of Security First, an organisation that specialises in helping journalists and activists manage their digital and physical security. His work has ranged from dealing with nation state attacks on media organisations to responding to the kidnap of freelance journalists in the field. You can download the Umbrella security app for free in Apple and Android app stores, see https://secfirst.org/umbrella/ for more information. Psiphon3 for secure network access https://psiphon.ca For encrypted email, see https://protonmail.com
Berni Dwan speaking with Irish Examiner news editor Deirdre O’Shaughnessy and Dublin Inquirer co-founder Sam Tranum about commissioning, the kind of stories they are looking for, and what kind of pitch catches their eye.
Deirdre O’Shaughnessy is News Editor of the Irish Examiner. She worked as a journalist for 15 years in local print and broadcast media in Limerick, Galway and Cork. As a freelancer she has written news, features and opinion for the Sunday Business Post, Irish Times, the Herald and Irish Tatler. She has contributed regularly to TV and radio shows in Ireland, as well as NPR and BBC radio. Deirdre has twice received a Simon Cumbers Media Fund Bursary. She has an LLB in Law & European studies from UL and a MSc in Government from UCC.
Sam Tranum is co-founder and deputy editor of Dublin Inquirer, a local independent newspaper publishing online weekly and in print monthly. He is also editor at Four Courts Press, publishing primarily academic Irish history books. Before moving to Ireland in 2013, he worked as a reporter in West Virginia, Florida and Washington DC, worked as a newspaper editor in Kolkata, India, and taught journalism at the American University of Central Asia, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Berni Dwan teaches, writes, and makes radio programmes. She instigated three shows in Scene + Heard in Smock Alley -Unrhymed Dublin, The Seven Ages; Like It or Not, and A Fishy Tail of Sound and Fury. Her poems have been published in Poetry Ireland Review and Irish Times New Irish Writing, among others. She is currently working on three BAI funded radio series - Growing Up Between the Dustjackets, Hedge Schools Beyond the Shrubbery, and Hungry Gap, Fat Friars & Food Poverty.
Rachael English, Cormac O'Keeffe and Margaret Ward discuss the challenges and opportunities for journalists in writing fiction. Recorded live at Spring 2022 Freelance Forum on 11 April 2022 at Grangegorman TUD.
Rachael English is an Irish broadcaster and writer. Known for presenting Five Seven Live for six years, she has also presented other radio shows, such as RTÉ News at One, Today with Pat Kenny, The Marian Finucane Show and The Late Debate as well as a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland and Saturday View. She is the author of six novels, most recently The Letter Home.
Cormac O’Keeffe is the security correspondent with the Irish Examiner. His debut crime fiction novel 'Black Water' was published in April 2018.
Margaret Ward is a freelance journalist and researcher with a particular interest in the environment and international affairs. She worked for RTÉ for 18 years as a reporter, producer, and foreign editor. She has reported from more than 35 countries including Rwanda, Sudan, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Russia, North Korea and Libya, and spent three years based in Beijing. She has also contributed to The Irish Times, The Sunday Telegraph, India Today, the BBC’s “From our Own Correspondent” and CBC in Canada. She has most recently been a special advisor to the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.
Padraig O'Morain talks about life after Covid, and re-entering the world after time spent in lockdowns and social distancing. Recorded live at the Spring 2022 Freelance Forum in Grangegorman TU Dublin on 11 April 2022.
Irish journalist and Time magazine editor Jennifer Duggan talks about pitching to American news and magazine outlets. Now based in Dublin, Jennifer is a climate and environment writer who has previously working in New York and China. You can follow @jenniduggan on Twitter.
Journalist Darren Boyle talks about writing fiction in the crime genre, how it differs from factual reporting and ghostwriting, publishing, the pitfalls of self-publishing, and the creative process.
Irish journalist Fergal Gallagher talks about working with ABC News, and about selling and pitching to US editors and producers.
Freleance Forum: What Next? What would you like to hear about from the Freelance Forum in 2022? Send your ideas and suggestions to Gerard Cunningham, tribunalreporter@gmail.com
Freelance Forum Episode 35 Journalist and broadcaster Berni Dwan talks about her experience in "cracking the code" for the Sound+Vision Scheme, a BAI fund to support independent audio-visual producers. BAI Sound+Vision Fund - https://www.bai.ie/en/broadcasting/funding-development-3/sound-vision-4/ Scene+Heard -Smock Alley - https://smockalley.com/sceneandheard/ Near FM: http://nearfm.ie
Freelance Forum Episode 34: highlights of a recent webinar with SA Mathieson, talking about Going corporate - how to approach editorial work for companies, governments and NGOs. SA Mathison has worked as a full-time freelance journalist and editor for a total of 14 years, focusing on IT, healthcare, government and data for both publications and corporate clients. He lectures on data journalism at Birkbeck, University of London and runs training on working as a freelancer for the NUJ.
In this webinar, James Doherty talks about Screenwriting opportunities in the UK. James started writing for Brookside when he was 21, going on to write as a scriptwriter with the BBC between 1995 and 2009, while also working as a journalist with The Scotsman and as media manager for Glasgow City Council.
Freelance Forum 32: Recording of a live webinar on 1 November 2021 discussing the Future of Media and Freelance Journalism after Covid, with NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet, Deputy Editor of the Tuam Herald Siobhan Holliman, Irish Times Media Correspondent Laura Slattery, and freelance journalist Claire Grady.
Freelance journalist Stephen Bourke talks to broadcaster and recent TU Dublin graduate Aoife Kearns, a journalist with WLR, and Nathan Young, a student journalist and editor of the University Observer in UCD about setting out on a career in journalism in 2021.
Financial journalist Sinead Ryan talks about Budget 2022 and its impact for freelancers and other self-employed people, and writer/producer Martin Devaney talks about moving into writing and pitching for broadcasting.
Carissa Casey, deputy editor of Woman's Way [https://www.womansway.ie/], and Luke Dunne from Film in Dublin, publisher of Pretty Deadly Films (PDF) talk about what they are looking for in pitches from freelance writers. You can download the electronic version of PDF, or order a print version, from https://prettydeadlyfilms.gumroad.com/
Tom Lyons talks about new online startup The Currency, what they're looking for from freelance pitches, and the challenges of starting a new business during the Covid pandemic. Find out more at https://thecurrency.news/
Press Ombudsman Peter Feeney talks about the work of the Press Council in resolving complaints, and the challenges for newspapers dealing with publication and corrections in the digital era.
Want to make a podcast on a shoestring but don't know where to start? Need to define your target audience and work out how to record remotely? Former RTE producer & media trainer Aileen O'Meara brings you her insights and knowledge to this interactive workshop. Bring your phone, your podcast idea and your brain along. By the end of this workshop you will have your Six Straightforward Steps to a Super Podcast. Ideal for freelancers with a yen to be heard. Contact Aileen at hello@rathdownmediainstitute.ie
Melanie Boylan is a Social Media Trainer and Journalist based in Co Westmeath who has spent the last four years honing her methods for building her brand recognition. In her chat she outlines the tools and tactics that she’s integrated into her every day strategy.
Freelance Forum #24: Spring 2021 Webinar 1, a panel discussion on ways to make money using online media. Featuring Gerard Cunningham, Martin McMahon (Tortoise Shack), Taryn de Vere (Quare media) and Dean Van Nguyen.
Mamobo Ogoro is a Social Psychology PhD candidate and the founder of Gorm Media. Trained as social psychologist and now applying her knowledge into the multi-disciplinary field of applied linguistics and social psychology, Mamobo’s research focuses on multicultural/ bicultural identities and linguistics portrayals of ‘othering’ in Irish society & media. Fueled by both her personal experience as an Afro-Irish person growing up in Ireland and her previous work on prejudice, racism, dual cultural identity and refugee integration, Mamobo’s work now highlights the media and social representations of multicultural people in Ireland. As the founder of Gorm Media (is a digital media platform that curates cultural common ground through curiosity, conversation and creativity), Mamobo is on a personal mission to unify her community and that starts with healthy intercultural dialogue.
Funmi Jinadu is a journalist & PhD student at the University of Limerick. She has worked a broadcast and multimedia journalist in Nigeria and the UK for almost 10 years. Her current research is looking at the representation of Africa in the Western media.
Sandrine Ndahiro is an English Ph.D student and aspiring documentary film maker. Sandrine’s work centres on Afrofuturists and African lives and aspirations, and her interests include exploring the lived experience of the Black and Irish community. She is a book worm and loves discussions on social and cultural issues, both in Ireland and globally.
Ala Buisir is a visual artist/ journalist. Born and raised in Ireland to migrant parents from Libya. Graduated from TU Dublin with a BA in photography and furthered her studies in DCU with an MA in Journalism. Her work documents the social and political tension around us today. The aim is to raise awareness by presenting events through different perspectives in hopes that it may also bring about change.
Freelance Forum 22: Eliot Higgins talks about Bellingcat, disinformation, and countering propaganda
Freelance Forum 21: Photographer David Branigan talks about licensing and copyright. David Branigan talks about licensing and copyright issues. David is a photographer journalist who specialises in marine and sailing subjects both in Ireland and overseas. His work appears regularly in Irish publications and news outlets in addition to projects such as books, calendars and stock photo services. He has been a member of the NUJ Dublin Freelance branch since 1992. Sites mentioned by David in this podcast are Tin Eye [https://tineye.com], Google Image Search [www.google.com/imghp], Pixsy [www.pixsy.com], the Wayback Machine [https://archive.org/web], and Editorial Photograpers UK & Ireland Group [www.epuk.org] Follow the Freelance Forum on Soundcloud, iTunes or your favourite podcast player.
Author Paul Carroll talks about writing fiction, marketing and promotion, self-publishing, and ebooks. Find out more about Paul's work at paulcarrollwriter.com
Simon Cocking has been Chief Editor at Irish Tech News (https://irishtechnews.ie/), and a business mentor and advisor working with over 200 successful companies to date. He has been named on many global Twitter influencer lists in the last 12 months, and has over 117,000 followers on Twitter & 30,000+ on Linkedin.
He is an accomplished public speaker at events including TEDx, Web Summit, and overseas in Monte Carlo, Pyeonchang, Amsterdam, Dubai, Delhi, Kiev, Singapore, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Tbilisi, Riga, Porto, Dublin and Helsinki. See more on his podcast here and on Youtube.
He has been based in Ireland for over 25 years and has co-founded or founded seven successful companies.
Freelance Forum 18: Philip Cooper from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland talks about the Sound+Vision Scheme. The closing date for Round 38 of the scheme is 4 March, and you can find a Copy of the Scheme here www.bai.ie/en/download/134843/ Guide for Applicants – Round 38 – Open Round www.bai.ie/en/download/135647/ Application Form – Round 38 – Open Round www.bai.ie/en/download/135650/ For more information, mail info@:bai.ie
Financial journalist Sinead Ryan talks about finances, taxation, the pandemic payments, and changes as a result of the October 2020 Budget announcements for 2021.
Stockholm based Irish journalist Philip O'Connor talks about the challenges of reporting on the far-right in Sweden, and the lessons Irish journalists can learn as extremist voices grow louder in Ireland. You can follow Philip by at his blog, https://ko-fi.com/ourmaninstockholm, or at Twitter where his handle is @philipoconnor.
Thank you for listening. That's all for now, but if you would like to hear a topic covered in future, or would like to contribute to a future episode, drop a line to tribunalreporter@gmail.com
Conall Heussaff and Dylan Daniels talk about FAC Magazine, from editorial directions to innovative approaches to funding. You can find out more at https://facmagazine.com
Dublin Inquirer editor Stephanie Costello talks about the innovative Dublin news website and newspaper, how they approach story beats, and plans for the future. You can find out more at https://dublininquirer.com, and contact Stephanie at info@dublininquirer.com
Woman's Way editor Áine Toner talks about her role editing the popular magazine, what kinds of article the magazine is looking for, and the best way to pitch. Áine can be reached at atoner@harmonia.ie, and the magazine website is at https://www.womansway.ie/
Eileen Culloty, a post-doctoral researcher at FuJo, the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (https://fujomedia.eu/) at Dublin City university, working on a European project on how to counter disinformation. She talks to Freelance Forum about fake news — from rumour to propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation — and the strategies both journalists and the wider public can take to recognise and counter it.
Therese Caherty talks about science journalist Mary Mulvihill, and the Mary Mulvihill Award set up in her memory. Therese is co-chair of the association along with Mary's sister, Noirin Mulvihill. The Mary Mulvihill Award 2020 was a first in every sense: youngest ever winner at 17, first male and based outside Dublin. You can find out more about the award at https://marymulvihillaward.ie/ or follow the Award on Twitter @RememberingMary, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marymulvihillassociation and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rememberingmarymulvihill/
Cassie Delaney talks about the Tall Tales podcast network and the Rogue Collective, an online news outlet with intelligent content for women, by women who value freedom of expression, broader representation, niche interests and celebrating individuality. You can get in touch the Rogue Collective at contribute@roguecollective.ie you will receive a link to a Google form. You can also contact them through @RogueCollectiv on Twitter and Instagram. A monthly subscription to Rogue is only €4. https://www.roguecollective.ie/
Journalist Ken Foxe talks about the freedom of information process as a way to uncover news stories. You can find out more at his FOI Guide: http://www.kenfoxe.com/foi-guide/ The guide now includes contact addresses for all government departments, county councils and various other public bodies. If you use the guide & find it helpful, you can support Ken in keeping it up to date: https://www.gofundme.com/f/foi-beginner-guide
RTÉ producer Sarah Binchy talks about Sunday Miscellany, the RTÉ Short Story competition, and breaking into broadcasting. You can check out further details of Sunday Miscellany (and listen to recent editions) webpage at https://www.rte.ie/radio1/sundaymiscellany. Details of the RTÉ Short Story Competition in honour of Francis McManus are at https://www.rte.ie/radio1/francis-macmanus-short-story/ The competition is now closed for 2020, but it's never too soon go get working on your entry for next year. If you are interested in documentary making, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound+Vision Fund is here: https://www.bai.ie/en/broadcasting/funding-development-3/sound-vision-4/
Independent producer and media trainer Aileen O'Meara talks about organising your own podcast, whether it's for profit, promotion or pleasure. In the course of her interview Aileen O'Meara mentioned her own video training and audio training services. Details of her video training course - now online - called Mobile Video Made Easy - are available at www.videotraining.ie - she's also got her YouTube channel at VideoTraining TV. Her soon to be launched podcast training for beginners will be live by the end of May. if you are interested in finding out more about that - please email Aileen at hello@videotraining.ie. She's giving a special offer on the pilot being launched after June 1st. Aileen's own podcast is called Clarence Street Stories - it's on Spotify and wherever you find your podcasts.
NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley describes how journalists and news media organisations are dealing with the challenges of Covid, and talks about the NUJ proposal for a government commission on the future of journalism in Ireland.
Writer Joe Joyce discusses the differences between news reporting, journalism and writing fiction, why journalism can be a bad preparation for fiction writing, and how historical fiction is a good half-way point. You can order Joe's latest book, "1691: A Novel" through Kindle as an ebook on Amazon, or you can order the print edition from Amazon or from Joe's own website, https://joejoyce.ie/books/
Financial journalist Sinead Ryan on managing personal finances, including access to the Covid-19 emergency welfare payment, what to do about pensions and mortgages, and dealing with the tax man and third level fees.
Padraig O'Morain on mindfulness, and taking care of yourself during the Covid lockdown and afterward.
Connected editor Emmet Ryan from the Business Post on freelancing opportunities during the Covid lockdown, and the opportunities that will be available in the future.
Coming soon: Freelance Forum: a podcast providing information and updates on working life for freelance journalists in Ireland.
Carmel Doyle and Kevin O'Sullivan talk about science journalism at the Autumn 2018 Freelance Forum, following by a Q&A from the floor. Session chaired by Dr Claire O'Connell.
Rachel Collins (Irish Times) and Niall Toner (Sunday Times) talk about what editors look for in a pitch at the Autumn 2018 Freelance Forum, followed by Q&A. Session chaired by freelance journalist Bernie Ní Fhlatharta.
Dr Carol Coulter’s opening address at the Autumn 2018 Freelance Forum, organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ branch with support fro the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Freelance journalist/podcast producer Ciara O’Connor Walsh, freelance journalist Naomi O’Leary and comedian Alan Maguire, talk about podcasting at the Autumn 2018 Freelance Forum, followed by Q&A. Session chaired by freelance journalist Margaret Ward.
Quality in a Cold Climate: Irish Examiner editor Allan Proser speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2019, organised by the Natuional Union of Journalists with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Freelance journalist Ken Foxe answers audience questions on Making FOI Work For You, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Claire Grady and Liam Cahill answer audience questions on multi-skilling and multi-tasking as a freelance, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018. Session chaired by Kieran Fagan.
Writer and historian Liam Cahill on multi-tasking as a freelance, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018. Session chaired by Kieran Fagan.
Freelance journalist Claire Grady on multi-tasking as a freelance, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018. Session chaired by Kieran Fagan.
Commissioning editors Jillian Bolger and Leslie Ann Horgan on the art of pitching, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Freelance journalists Jason Walsh and Lyra McKee on pitching to foreign outlets, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Freelance journalist Lyra McKee on pitching to foreign outlets, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Freelance journalist Jason Walsh on pitching to foreign outlets, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Freelance journalist Ken Foxe on Making FOI Work For You, speaking at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018
Rossa McMahon gives an overview of Irish copyright law at the Freelance Forum Spring 2018, Monday 5 February 2018, followed by a question & answer session. Session chaired by Gerard Cunningham.
NUJ President Tim Dawson speaking on the future of freelance journalism at Freelance Forum Autumn 2016
How to Break into Sports Journalism. Coilin Duffy and Steve O'Rourke share their experiences at Freelance Forum Autumn 2016. Session chaired by Jim Aughney
Introductory remarks by Aileen O'Meara to a workshop givesing practical hands-on tips for using a mobile phone for mobile journalism; following by Q&A with Aileen O'Meara and Glen Mulcahy
Irish times technology correspondent Karlin Lillington speaks about surveillance and journalists at the Spring 2016 Freelance Forum, organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Glen Mulcahy speaks about Mobile Journalism +(MoJo) at Freelance Forum Autumn 2016. (Slightly truncated at beginning)
Address by Jody Clarke, UNHCR external relations associate, delivers a keynote on media reporting of the refugee crisis, and opening remarks by NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley, at the Autumn 2015 Freelance Forum, organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Pat O'Mahony, independent producer, and John Byrne, Newstalk producer, speak about breaking into broadcasting at a session chaired by independent producer Aileen O'Meara at the Autumn 2015 Freelance Forum organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Lois Kapila, editor of Dublin Inquirer, and Aoife Bannon, features editor at The Sun, talk about the do's and don't's of pitching and commissioning at the Autumn 2015 Freelance Forum, organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ, with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Freelance financial journalist Sinead Ryan discusses financial planning and pensions for freelances at Freelance Forum Autumn 2015, organised by Dublin Freelance NUJ with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Amanda McLoughlin outlines the supports offered by the Insolvency Service of Ireland at Freelance Forum Spring 2015
Irish Independent News Editor Kevin Doyle talks about pitching and commissioning at Freelance Forum Spring 2015.
Emmet Ryan (Connected magazine, Sunday Business Post) talks about what pitching and commissioning
Peter Murtagh (Irish Times) talks about what commissioning editors are looking for in a pitch.
Broadcaster Rebecca Lee at Freelance Forum (incomplete due to technical problems in recording)
Sheila Ahern talks about the Mary Raftery Fund at Freelance Forum Autumn 2014, followed by Q+A session with Rebecca Lee and Sheila Ahern
Gerard Cunningham at Freelance Forum Autumn 2014 talks about the lessons learned from a failed corwdfuding attempt to launch Guth magazine
RTE journalist Richard Dowling and former UK FOI officer Rodney Breen discuss using Freedom of Information legislation
Malachy Browne (Storyful) and Sinead Van Kampen (PRSlides) talk about new media opportunities at Freelance Forum Spring 2014
Freelance journalist Lenny Antonelli and former RTÉ producer Simon Devilly, who teaches journalism and radio production at NUIM and DCU, talk about breaking into broadcasting.
Journalist Sinead Ryan talks about extra earning opportunities in radio at Freelance Forum Autumn 2013
Simon Palmer talks about opportunities in Public Relations at the Autumn 2013 Freelance Forum
Journalist and author Sue Leonard discusses strategies to make the most of your time as a freelance journalist.
Deirdre Veldon (Irish Times) and Michael Smith (Village Magazine) talk about pitching and commissioning
Commissioning editors Richard Oakley (Sunday magazine, the Sunday Times) and Ross Golden-Bannon (Food & Wine magazine, Harmonia publications) talk about what they look for, from pitching to delivery.
Freelance Forum Spring 2013: Journalists Brian O'Connell and Philip O'Connor talk about working with audio and film in addition to the written word.
Press Ombudsman John Horgan addresses the Spring 2013 Freelance Forum on the code of conduct and how it affects journalists.