Signs of progress for the field 

 

As late as 2015, this country did not have an organization dedicated to freelance investigative journalists. 

Eight years later, FIRE has altered the landscape with your support. 

Milestones, by the numbers:   

• More than 175 freelancers have received direct hands-on story assistance, including a select portion with grants*  

• 75 reporters have requested Contract Templates to protect themselves  

• 45 commissioning broadcasters or publishers have requested the same Templates, to protect their freelancers  

• More than 300 journalists have benefited from FIRE expertise  

The outcomes have been heartening: 19 of 21 reporters protected, dozens of stories released, six awards won, and perhaps ultimately most important, newfound confidence to do freelance reporting—and to adopt new standards for the field. 

Freelancers are also educating and supporting themselves through the FIRE Contract Template, FIRE Consultancies, Tip Sheets on Liability, a Freelancer Guide, and indirectly, through FIRE's fellow grantmakers, with whom we have actively discussed the issues facing our mutual constituents—and ways to address them.

FIRE focuses exclusively on this one sector of journalism, freelance investigative reporting, because it has a huge potential for the public good—a potential that we look forward to realizing. 

A round of special gratitude to craig newmark philanthropies—and thank you to all! 

*Amends December 7th e-newsletter to clarify that grants have not gone to all of the reporters, only to a portion of them.