Jane
Molly WhiteNewsletter: Independent writers are an important facet of the media ecosystem, but a recent legal threat helps to remind me that it’s not the path for everyone.
https://www.citationneeded.news/i-am-my-own-legal-department/
The Washington Post’s choice not to endorse a candidate is only the most recent example of a bad decision by legacy media outlets prompting people to urge their staff to quit and go independent. I love being independent, but it’s also not without its challenges.
I am my publication’s writer, editor, fact-checker, software team, legal department, customer service representative, social media intern, marketing branch, accountant, and everything else. Not everyone wants to wear that many hats.
But for some people, like me, it’s an enormously rewarding option, and I’m always happy to help others who are interested in pursuing the same dream. The price of independence may be high, but the cost of silence is even greater.
Now to put on my least favorite hat: please subscribe to support my work! Subscriptions are pay-what-you-want, and they allow me to never paywall any of my writing.
Kevin P. Fleming@molly0xfff And it's worth every penny, no matter how many there are.
Lauren Wu (Kayna on TFT)@molly0xfff Just renewed my annual subscription to you!
@laurenwu thank you!
Public Health is for Everyone
Ralph058 (S/he/it) AF4EZ@molly0xfff Perhaps coops?
Worked in the late 60s and early 70s to get out war and protest news that MSN was not covering.
Worked in the late 60s and early 70s to get out war and protest news that MSN was not covering.
Héctor The One And Only@molly0xfff I think it was Jeff Bezos who forced their hand. He is concerned that if Trump gets into office Amazon would face retribution.
James M.@molly0xfff I'm wondering if they could band together for a new outlet, complete with corporate veil and shared resources?
@jamesmarshall Some writers (404, Defector, Aftermath) have gone that route!
nissyen@jamesmarshall I like https://www.404media.co/ who have done just that.
Boris BarbourRegarding legal risks, would there be any benefit to operating as a corporation or nonprofit?
@BorisBarbour probably a better question for a lawyer, i’m not sure. perhaps in terms of insulating assets, but there are ways to do that as a solo writer too
If you have time to outline them, what are those methods for insulating assets as a solo writer?
@BorisBarbour just the typical advice about individual liability protection via LLCs
sleepy62🍁🛠️ 🖥️ 🔬 🌞@molly0xfff
Have the folks in your world talked about forming some kind of professional association? Something that could provide legal cover and representation, as well as setting technical and ethical standards.
Have the folks in your world talked about forming some kind of professional association? Something that could provide legal cover and representation, as well as setting technical and ethical standards.
@sleepy62 various folks have gone in various directions — coops, worker-owned organizations, etc. i’m also a part of the national writer’s union which has the freelance solidarity project. i’ve definitely thought about trying to band together with other writers in some way, but organizing that would also be another hat i’d have to wear!
Josh Rivers@molly0xfff @sleepy62 Just a thought, but I see volunteer moderators on Twitch and volunteer sysadmins in other places. For the right kind of person a volunteer/side gig job organizing protection and mutual support for a coop would be a rewarding gig.
P4@molly0xfff That first footnote is beautiful, I've heard about the fake DMCA takedown attempt, but not about them backdating it to before the arrest. Excellent work people, no notes.
Ian Ramjohn@molly0xfff I had no idea Citation Needed was your full time job (or the scale you were doing this at). Amazing work.
@iramjohn thank you! yes, it’s been my primary gig for almost exactly a year now!
drevil@molly0xfff ya need to get a top hat and a fake twirling mustache for that "Our Team" section, to show them business types you are serious
MHLoppy (has moved!)@molly0xfff If you can pass on a small typo to your editor, looks like there's a word missing in:
The abject terror of “what [if] this
@molly0xfff jesus christ, the username that your social media manager chose has only JUST NOW clicked with me and now I feel like a dunce lmao
@MHLoppy that’s it, i’m docking their pay for this month
Pierre-Luc Gagné@molly0xfff those pictures look like a set of trading cards.
« Wow, you have a 3D foil sunglasses Molly! »
Nicholas Stein@molly0xfff You are one of my heroes. Cory Doctorow @pluralistic, had a great article a while ago about using chatGPT to write emails and other communications that sound like they are coming from a lawyer. It seems like a good use of GenAI. This post inspired me to pass this idea along to you.
MarkD@molly0xfff One of the big benefits of being your own legal department is that you actually have your own interests at heart.
Anyone who thinks a corporate legal department or a corporate HR department is looking out for the interests of the employee is living in fantasy land.
HR and Legal are there solely to protect the corporation. Never think otherwise.
Seth is Pissed@molly0xfff Sorry you had to deal with this BS. I've had to do it too being an solo-preneur and a newsletter writer too.