Online only

More coffee mornings and pitching clinics

IN RESPONSE to demand from our members we are organising more coffee mornings - an opportunity to discuss issues in freelance journalism with colleagues and an expert.

And we have listened to growing requests for opportunities beyond our coffee mornings: we are thrilled to bring back our Pitching Clinics. See reports of some previous events linked from www.londonfreelance.org/training

Lily Canter

Image ©

7 November at noon: a coffee morning on How to think outside the box with first-person stories: Lily Canter will share tips on turning everyday experiences into compelling first-person pieces, finding fresh angles for popular topics, and ghostwriting personal experience features.

Duncan Campbell

Image ©

Monday 11 November at 14:30: a live session on crime reporting and investigations with Duncan Campbell - former crime correspondent of the Guardian and the author of The Underworld and We’ll All Be Murdered in Our Beds: The Shocking History of Crime Reporting. It will be from 14:30 to 18:00 (with a coffee break) at Headland House, 72 Acton St, London WC1X 9NB.

This session will delve into critical aspects of covering crime, the courts, prisons, issues such as miscarriages of justice and the activities of the far-right and extremist groups. Duncan Campbell will share insights on navigating the complexities of libel laws, avoiding contempt of court, and the legal pitfalls that journalists may face while reporting on these subjects. Participants will also receive a list of suggested readings to deepen their understanding of the field.

Whether you are a journalist, researcher, or simply interested in the complexities of crime reporting, this workshop will provide valuable guidance and perspectives from a leading expert.

The event is open to NUJ members. Please confirm your attendance by filling out this form.

If you have any problems filling out the form or would like another format, please contact us or the training officer at mariam.elsayeh@icloud.com

Friday 15 November at 12:00 noon We are pleased to invite you to a special coffee morning, at which we will discuss vital cybersecurity strategies for journalists, particularly when working on investigative stories, and sensitive topics.

As journalists continue to face challenges such as the seizure of devices, this session will focus on practical solutions for safeguarding your work and protecting your resources, We are fortunate to have Raya, an expert in the tech and human rights space, lead the discussion. Raya currently serves as an Education Coordinator with the Tor Project, where she leads training sessions on the encrypted web service Tor and the secure operating system Tails for journalists and human rights defenders. She is also a Research Fellow with the Citizen Lab, focusing on digital surveillance.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about protecting your devices and communication in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape, as well as to ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting.

Juliana Ruhfus

Image ©

Friday 22 November at noon: Pitching Clinic part 1 with Juliana Ruhfus.

This two-part workshop series is designed for LFB investigative journalists looking to deepen their investigative skills. Each session will focus on a critical component of investigative journalism - developing a solid hypothesis and crafting a compelling pitch. Each 90-minute session will be followed by a question-and-answer session and discussion period to reinforce the day’s material through interactive feedback and peer exchange.

To take part in this pair of events you need to register using this form.

Session 1: Developing an investigative hypothesis In this first session, participants will learn the fundamentals of creating an investigative hypothesis essential to guiding impactful journalism. Through structured instruction and examples, the session will cover:

  • Identifying the core elements of a robust hypothesis
  • Differentiating between assumptions and evidence-based questions
  • Techniques for formulating a clear, actionable hypothesis that drives the investigative process

Members are invited to come prepared with a pitch draft and send it to via registration form so we can work on it in advance, which they may present briefly for feedback. The session’s Q&A and discussion will allow the members to refine their pitch, incorporating insights from both peers and facilitators.

Juliana Ruhfus is an award-winning, internationally known broadcaster and journalist and the director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma (Europe), a project of Columbia Journalism School dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma, conflict and tragedy. She is best known as the face of Al Jazeera’s People and Power strand, for which she directed, produced and reported over 50 investigative films, often from places of conflict and driven by a desire to create nuanced narratives.

Juliana started her reporting career at Channel 4 UK’s Unreported World and last worked in TV for BBC World Service Eye, where she set up an investigative unit in India. She continues to mentor young journalists and investigative reporting teams.

Friday 29 November at noon: Pitching Clinic part 2 with Juliana Ruhfus.

To take part in this pair of events you need to register using this form.

Session 2: Crafting an Investigative Pitch Building on the first session the previous week, this second session will focus on translating a hypothesis into a compelling investigative pitch. Participants will learn how to:

  • Structure a pitch that effectively conveys the investigative angle
  • Present their story idea concisely, highlighting its relevance and impact
  • Prepare and deliver a pitch in three clear paragraphs (approximately 150 words or 1000 characters)

Join us for these informative and inspiring sessions to learn from industry experts and enhance your publishing skills. Take advantage of this invaluable opportunity to gain practical insights and skills to enhance your pitching abilities.

Coffee mornings and pitching clinics take place on Zoom. We send invitations to Branch members: if you are a freelance member of the NUJ and have not received one please contact training@londonfreelance.org

Stay tuned for news of further Pitching Clinics: www.londonfreelance.org/training

We plan soon to hold a face-to-face workshop about investigative reporting.

We are excited to have you participate. We can empower each other and work towards a more inclusive and diverse journalism industry.

If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Mariam Elsayeh, LFB Training Officer: mariam.elsayeh@icloud.com or training@londonfreelance.org

Thank you for your attention, and we eagerly await your presence at the Coffee Morning discussion.

©
with contributions by