Print media / National newspapers
Rates for newspaper copy vary hugely and the following are decent achievable minima, mostly for what you might call "generic" stories. Exclusives and other big stories attract much higher fees. The rates for words are for their first appearance in a UK newspaper. If the publisher wants further uses, negotiate.
No-one knows quite how to categorise national papers now that the Financial Times and Telegraph are the only London national broadsheets. For the moment we have gone with qualities (tongue not entirely absent from cheek) and tabloids (straight up).
The suggested rates
Read me first! Print media / National newspapers: advice
See also: notes on negotiating rates for this work
See also: reported rates, to compare: Print media / National newspapers
Know a better rate? Tell us!
Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included.
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RATES: Shifts National newspapers category: Newspapers |
||
|---|---|---|
| Writing news: per day |  |
200.00 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
180.00 |
|
RATES: Shifts National newspapers category: Newspaper supplements |
||
|---|---|---|
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend) | |
200.00 |
| Writing: per day | |
200.00 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
180.00 |
Notes:
- Freelances paid a day rate risk being taxed at source and paying National Insurance as an employed person, though this can be challenged - see Shift payments - tax and time off.
- Writing on a day rate may have implications for copyright. See Rights and why they are important - and NUJ members can check with the Freelance Office.
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RATES: Writing, reporting and researching National newspapers category: Newspapers |
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|---|---|---|
| Page lead, tabloids - sky's the limit, rarely less than | |
1250.00 |
| Tip-off leading to exclusive or large spread, upward of | |
1000.00 |
| Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
800.00 |
| Normal features for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
500.00 |
| Page lead, for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
500.00 |
| News, for "qualities", per 1000 words, from | |
430.00 |
| Tip-off for news, "qualities" - much more for big stories | |
200.00 |
| Commissioned online blog post - e.g. "Comment is Free" from | |
110.00 |
| Tip-off for diary - minimum | |
50.00 |
|
RATES: Writing, reporting and researching National newspapers category: Newspaper supplements |
||
|---|---|---|
| Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from | |
1000.00 |
| Per 1000 words, generic | |
600.00 |
Browse a selection of NUJ freelances with relevant skills through the Freelance Directory:
Commissioning editor On negotiating for print media / national newspapers Interest and penalty calculator and the law on late payments Resist a payment-on-publication nightmare Freelance May 2018
Uploaded 22/03/2323: if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrNatRat.html![[www.londonfreelance.org]](gif/nujsma.gif)
Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representationText © Mike Holderness & previous contributors; Moral rights asserted. The collection (database right) © National Union of Journalists. Comments to ffg@londonfreelance.org please. You may find the glossary helpful.
The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.
Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.
