NUJ Freelance Fees Guide: Print media - National newspapers

Print media / National newspapers

Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included. See notes on negotiating rates and find a freelance.

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).

Read me first! National newspapers advice

Uploaded: 2008-05-05; if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrNatRat.html

Reported rates, to compare for National newspapers

The suggested rates (know a better rate? tell us!)

NUJ members discuss rates etc for writing

NUJ members discuss rates etc for shifts in general

RATES: Shifts National newspapers category: Newspapers

Long sub-editing shifts (usually from 06.00 - 19.00)		290
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend)		170
Writing news: per day		170
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts		150

RATES: Shifts National newspapers category: Newspapers' supplements

Long sub-editing shifts (usually from 06.00 - 19.00)		290
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend)		180
Writing: per day		180
6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts		150

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. NUJ members should see Rights and why they are important and check with the Freelance Office.

RATES: Writing, reporting and researching National newspapers category: Newspapers

Page lead, tabloids - sky's the limit, rarely less than		700
Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from		600
Tip-off leading to exclusive or large spread, upward of		500
Page lead, for "qualities", per 1000, from		400
News, for "qualities", per 1000 words, from		280
Ordered news story (eg 300 words)		100
Tip-off for news, "qualities"		100
Tip-off for diary		50

RATES: Writing, reporting and researching National newspapers category: Newspapers' supplements

Splashy features for "qualities", per 1000, from		700
Per 1000 words		300

See: Kill fees for commissioned articles

See: Regional newspapers

Find a freelance

Agreements

Agreements affecting Print media / National newspapers

Code of practice for commissioning journalists

Generally useful links:

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.