Here are some useful resources and links for freelance journalists :

Reporting Diversity with sensitivity

Freelancers don’t usually have the luxury of nearby colleagues to help nut out knotty ethical issues.
The MEAA Code of Ethics provides a good base guide for quality journalism – but also consult these excellent public resources where applicable:

Australian govt Mindframe guidelines:
* Media Hub including mental health self-care for journalists reporting sensitive issues
* Reporting on mental ill-health
* Reporting Suicide
Media Diversity Australia guidelines on * Reporting disability
Media Diversity Australia guidelines on
* Quick Guide to reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and issues
* Handbook to reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and issues
MEAA guidelines on: * Reporting on LGBTQIA+ issues and people
MEAA guidelines on: * Reporting hate speech and extremism
UNHCR- Guidelines on * Reporting on migration and refugees [PDF]

Information

Guide to Defamation Law:  Provided by the Arts Law Centre – useful resource

Writers Contracts: Website and campaign with loads of information about contracts for freelance writers particularly in Australia

Freelancers MEAA:  Campaign and resources site by the MEAA for freelance journalists, photographers and media workers

Groups / Associations

Australasian Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is the professional association of medical writers, journalists and editors.

Australian Press Council:  Australian print media’s self-regulatory body, accepts complaints about media activities

Australian Science Communicators : a network of over 500 people working in science & technology communication across Australia and overseas since 1994

Australian Society of Authors: the professional association for Australia’s literary creators, authors and illustrators

Australian Society of Travel Writers: a non-profit organisation of staff and freelance travel writers.

Horticultural Media Association Australia : National media body for gardening writers and photographers.

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance: The Alliance is the union and professional organisation for  everyone in the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries including journalists. Members must abide by the Code of Ethics.

NSW Writers’ Centre Not-for-profit incorporated association in that promotes writing-based culture and the rights and interests of writers

The Science Journalists Association of Australia: Australia’s national science journalists’ association

SourceBottle: Commercial site, free to journalists, great for getting contacts and sources for feature stories

Sydney Writers’ Centre Commercial organisation that runs short courses on freelance writing and related issues

YouCommNews: Community-funded journalism, Australia-based

Courses

NSW Writers Centre in Rozelle, Sydney offers all sorts of writing courses

Australian Writers’ Centre based in Milsons Point, Sydney and in Melbourne offers writing courses in-house and online

Walkley Foundation, through the Media Alliance also offers training for journalists, in Sydney and other cities