“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
"FIRE was a true asset to me."
— Ian Urbina, Pulitzer-winning former New York Times reporter and director of The Outlaw Ocean Project
Feedback from FIRE-supported reporters
To proceed confidently to release their stories for the public, the freelance reporters below received FIRE's three main services: reporting assistance to overcome standard editorial challenges; contract-related legal assistance to receive full legal protection by their outlets; and the fuller, more intensive Virtual Newsroom with grant support.
"Feel more confident"
Delger Erdenesanaa
"Before I sought out FIRE, I didn't know how much I didn't know. They provided invaluable advice on legal aspects of freelancing—contract-related issues to consider, questions to ask my publications. I definitely feel more confident now going forth and reporting on powerful interests as a new freelance journalist."
—FIRE-supported freelancer Delger Erdenesanaa, on commissioning a series of upcoming environmental investigations with the New York Times/Pulitzer Center [Legal Consultancy]
"Made all the difference"
Lucy Provan
"FIRE's advice was invaluable in getting this project off the ground—not only specific and constructive but also comprehensive: legal advice, guidance in navigating my role, pushing me for greater clarity in my investigations. Their support made all the difference in bringing this project to life."
—FIRE-supported freelancer Lucy Provan (human rights story for Washington Post, Sky News, LeMonde, as profiled here. [Comprehensive Consultancy; Virtual Newsroom with grant]
"Crucial, thoughtful assistance"
Zach Dorfman
"Freelancing is harder than ever these days—especially when it comes to sensitive stories. Nor can it be overstated how important pro bono legal support is for freelance journalists who lack institutional protection. FIRE provided crucial, thoughtful, and pro bono contractual and legal assistance and advocacy on a highwire feature. I would not have gotten over the contractual finish line without them. I just wish I had begun working with them years ago."
—FIRE-supported freelancer Zach Dorfman (national-security investigation, Rolling Stone, August 2024, as profiled here). [Legal Consultancy]
"So grateful"
Janelle O'Dea
"When I was laid off, I had the opportunity to take the project I was working on for my former employer with me. But I had never entered a freelance agreement before. The FIRE consultation made sure I had all my legal bases covered. I was so grateful to focus my energy on [finishing] this important project. Thank you, FIRE!"
—FIRE-supported freelancer Janelle O'Dea, on salvaging a Kansas-based housing investigation from the downsized Center for Public Integrity (Wichita Eagle and other outlets, September 2024, as profiled here), [Legal Consultancy]
"Invaluable"
Britta Lokting
"Without FIRE I would have had a difficult time navigating not only my public records requests but also my editor's principle mandate: to protect vulnerable sources and the organization they were complaining about. I'm so glad the story survived. Thank you so much again for the help and support along the way. It was invaluable."
—FIRE-supported freelancer Britta Lokting (Guardian child-welfare investigation released March, 2024, as profiled here.) [IRE Fellow, Comprehensive Consultancy]
"FIRE provided a life line"
Daryl Khan
Clarissa Sosin
"As freelancers we were tackling a vital and sensitive story that needed the strength of a newsroom behind it. FIRE [gave] us a boost in the most obvious material ways, like travel. But there's a reminder that people care—FIRE provided that life line. It's really hard to overstate their importance to this story."
—FIRE-supported freelancers Daryl Khan and Clarissa Sosin (Baton Rouge Police Department story, Verite News, December 2023, as profiled here, with additional reflections here.) [Virtual Newsroom with grant; FIRE Contract Template]
"Doggedness in advocating"
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]
"Competent and nuanced suggestions"
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
"Game-changer"
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]
"Made doing the story so much easier"
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]
"Gave me the insight and confidence to negotiate"
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]
"Helped me shore up my contract"
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]
"Above and Beyond"
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]
"Invaluable resource"
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."
— FIRE-supported freelancer Ian Urbina [Virtual Newsroom with grant]
"Desperately needed"
Ayo Awokoya
"The level of support FIRE gives is really quite rare. I don't think there is anything similar to FIRE out there. Their work is invaluable and their services are desperately needed."
—FIRE-supported freelancer Ayo Awokoya (award-winning exposé on forced African labor for Guardian, as profiled here; more from Awokoya here.) [FIRE Consultancy; Virtual Newsroom with grant]
Additional FIRE Testimonials here.