Sydney-based freelance writers are invited to join members of Freeline and the Sydney Freelance Journalists Group at Forresters Hotel, 336 Riley Street, Surry Hills on June 29 at 6pm as our speakers deliver their very own Nostradamus imitation.

Speaker Evening – The future of Australian freelance journalism

With massive numbers of recently redundant full time journalists now on the market, what is the future of freelance journalism?

As newspapers struggle to keep the presses going and free to air TV fights to hold onto its audience, what does the future hold for freelancers who write the stories, take the pictures, speak to the public and shape the news behind the scenes?

Is our media going to be consumed by cheap, fluffy celebrity ‘news’ or are we in the mist of a monumental shift where good journalism will survive even if the current big media businesses don’t?

The Sydney Freelance Journalists Group is holding a speaker evening 29 June to discuss where it is all heading. Come and hear seasoned media observers share their views as well as the findings of recent MEAA research.

We will also announce the winner of the Freeline 2009 Good Editor Award.

Speakers are:

Steve Ahern OAM – broadcaster, author, trainer and media commentator and the founding editor of http://www.radioinfo.com.au; he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia this year for services to radio broadcasting.

Claire O’Rourke – former freelance journalist, now a Lead Organiser for the MEAA & has been part of the Future of Journalism Project, http://www.thefutureofjournalism.org.au

Rachel Hills – Rachel is a freelance writer, editor, blogger and public speaker who writes on gender, politics, media and technology, currently writing her first book and found online at rachelhills.tumblr.com

Cost:
$10 for Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) members, $15 for non-members
Call the MEAA on 1300 65 65 13 or email members@alliance.org.au to RSVP and / or pay for your ticket (credit card payments only).

Payment at the door on the night is fine, but please RSVP.