“I don't think there is anything similar to FIRE out there. Their work is invaluable and their services are desperately needed." 

— Ayo Awokoya, award-winning
FIRE-supported reporter

 

 Alison MacAdam

"The powerful person we were investigating had a history of acting litigiously, and he had threatened us and our sources. FIRE's access to excellent media lawyers and its doggedness in advocating for me were essential. I'm fortunate that NHPR collaborated with FIRE [and] glad to see this story released." 

—FIRE-supported freelancer Alison MacAdam (New Hampshire Public Radio story released, March 2022: full backstory here.) Photo by Bria Granville, NPR [Legal Consultancy]

 

 Michele Catanzaro

"I resorted to FIRE after realizing that the outlet for which I was reporting would not protect me if the people I was investigating attacked me through a lawsuit.

I knew my work was accurate. I also knew that I could not afford the costs of a lawsuit. I was disoriented and worried that the story would never be published. In these situations, you feel vulnerable and tempted to give up.

Then, thanks to the advice of a colleague, I found FIRE.

Their intervention was game-changing.

• They gave me their time and knowledge to find a solution that would protect me.
• They supported me economically through the uncertainty.
• They were extremely-fast and efficient during the negotiations, with competent and nuanced suggestions.

I would have never been able to navigate this situation properly without FIRE's support. I am thankful and I will make sure to advertise this organization to my colleagues."

—FIRE-supported freelancer Michele Catanzaro (Science magazine story released, July 2023: full backstory here.) [Legal Consultancy; Indemnification Grant] Photo by Yorley Ruiz

 Helen Santoro

"As a freelancer, I try to be legally savvy. I always fight for the best contract possible, in case someone sues for defamation. Even if the case ultimately gets thrown out, that's still really scary as a freelancer—a terrifying prospect.  

Having FIRE's support was a complete game-changer. It was a huge relief having FIRE look over the contract as extensively as it did. Without that I would have been way more hesitant to take on this story [and] I might not have proceeded at all." 

—FIRE-supported freelancer Helen Santoro (100Reporters/Associated Press investigation, July 2022, as profiled here.) [Legal Consultancy]

 Rachel Layne

"It’s tough to work on investigations while you’re trying to make a living and I’m not sure I would have taken this gig without FIRE. You want the confidence to be able to push on the public records. And you want the outlet to feel comfortable too. But you don’t want to go bankrupt doing a story you get paid $1,000 to do. It just takes one frivolous filing and it could cost you $50,000. And I don’t have $50,000, thank you very much.  FIRE made doing the story so much easier. A layer of anxiety was gone. I could follow the reporting wherever it led—without worrying about losing my condo."

—FIRE-supported freelancer Rachel Layne (Water and Wastes Digest story released, September, 2021) [Legal Consultancy]

 Rowan Moore
Gerety

"As a freelancer accustomed to reviewing contracts, I've pushed back occasionally on onerous intellectual property and indemnity provisions. And in this case, the contract was over the top in assigning the risk to the reporter, and the benefit to the publication.  But I was not optimistic about getting it changed. 

Through FIRE, I got access to two experienced media attorneys. The lawyers gave me the insight and confidence to effectively negotiate two meaningful changes—keeping rights to my own work and securing credible assurance that my editors wouldn't hang me out to dry if my reporting led to litigation. Those terms certainly helped me move forward with the reporting on this story."   

—FIRE-supported freelancer Rowan Moore Gerety (Esquire story released, February 2022: full backstory here.) [Legal Consultancy]

 Jason Buch

"As freelancers, we're often taking on a legal risk that staff reporters don't face, and without their built-in support. FIRE not only helped me shore up my contract but also suggested ways to strengthen my reporting—both of which protected me from liability. This kind of support makes me feel more comfortable taking on difficult and complex stories."

—FIRE-supported freelancer Jason Buch (Texas Observer story released November, 2021.) [Legal Consultancy]
 

 Alexandria Bordas

"Because of FIRE, I was able to advocate for myself as a first-time freelancer and save myself from potentially huge legal liabilities. You responded to my dire request less than 24 hours after I first submitted it online and you walked me through all the legal jargon that was totally confusing. I cannot emphasize enough how much that meant to me, to know that I was not alone and that there were still ways to move forward. 

Thank you for going above and beyond. This story has been part of my life for two years and now it might finally see the light." 

—FIRE-supported freelancer Alexandria Bordas (San Francisco Chronicle story released, April 2021: full backstory here.) [Legal Consultancy]
 

 Ian Urbina

"FIRE's Virtual Newsroom is an invaluable resource for freelance writers. FIRE not only provides independent journalists the funding they need to produce groundbreaking, under-reported, and expensive journalism, they also provide support that reporters might receive from traditional newsrooms. FIRE was a true asset to me this year as I reported and wrote a story about fish farming in Gambia for The New Yorker."

 

"Desperately needed"