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SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

In light of SPJ's decision to support the publisher in the following lawsuit, I've resigned as SPJ's freelance committee chair. While we can all agree to disagree on many superficial issues, nothing is more important to independent journalists than the ability to negotiate our contracts.

I wish you all well.

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

 

You can read SPJ's announcement here:
http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=681

Published Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:37 AM by KerriFivecoatCampbell

Comments

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:10 AM by Wendy
Thank you for all your efforts on behalf of freelancers, Kerri. You fought hard for us and I am grateful for all your work. This decision is unfortunate and short-sighted. I join you in moving on.

Wendy Hoke
co-founder and former chair of SPJ National Freelance committee

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:17 AM by D. Brent Miller
Kerri, I understand your disappointment with an organizational decision, and given the same choice, I might do the same. But, you have been a voice for the freelancers, and now ... the voice is silenced. So, who wins? The lump in the throat must be cleared or swallowed before a clear voice is heard.--DBrent

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:37 AM by Justin
I, too, would do the same. Thanks for all you've done. The SPJ's decision to support this case is the wrong one. I have a hard time seeing how anyone could justify supporting the opposite side of a lawsuit that was brought to protect the right of journalists to make a living off their content.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:55 AM by Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
Thanks, all. Brent, this was not an easy decision for me. I've spent the last 7 years working on the local, as well on the national level within the organization.
I feel every step we've taken forward was negated in one decision. I'm tired of defending an organization that doesn't seem to mind having its membership boosted from within our ranks, but doesn't stand for us in the most critical of issues - copyrights.
My best to you.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Wednesday, August 08, 2007 2:20 PM by Renee Schafer Horton
Kerri:
I'm sorry for this decision of yours. I know it must be heartbreaking - and frustrating after all the work you've done. Thanks for all your help in my short time in the group and best of luck to you. I applaud you for being able to stand by your personal ethics and speak up. Like DBrent, however, I hope the voice of freelance rights isn't silenced.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Thursday, August 09, 2007 8:52 AM by Kay B. Day
Kerri, sending good thoughts your way. I don't plan to renew--there are other orgs that seem more appreciative of freelancers. You did the right thing, and your departure is a loss for all of us who make our livings by our wits.

best, Kay

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Thursday, August 09, 2007 11:42 AM by Christine
I, too, have blogged about this matter:

http://spj.org/blog/blogs/president/archive/2007/08/09/8229.aspx

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Thursday, August 09, 2007 4:27 PM by Dan Ferber
Kerri, I support your decision 100 percent. I hope you continue your advocacy for freelance journalists elsewhere. SPJ's decision was wrong. I am an independent journalist who had admired SPJ and planned to join. Now I won't. I'll spend my membership dollars on an organization that helps independent journalists stay in business, not on an organization that undercuts us.

Dan Ferber

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Thursday, August 09, 2007 6:15 PM by Christina Claassen
Hi Kerri,
I'm sorry to hear that you will be leaving SPJ, but I totally believe you are right, and that freelancers have much to lose with this lawsuit. I have submit comments to Cristine Tatum's blog about this topic, as I am disappointed with SPJ. You have helped so much in getting the online freelancer directory going and sending useful information to all of us. Your work will be missed.
Sincerely,
Christina Claassen
freelance writer & editor
Marblemount, WA

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Friday, August 10, 2007 10:49 PM by Beth King
The Society has decided against lending the organization's name to the amicus brief of Faulkner vs. National Geographic Society. Please see the statement located at http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=689#689. Also, check out SPJ National President Christine Tatum's blog post at  http://www.spj.org/blog/blogs/president/.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Beth King
Communications Manager, SPJ

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Saturday, August 11, 2007 11:13 PM by Jim Brumm
I'm a new comer to SPJ, despite 47 years in this business; and it was the work I could see had gone into the Freelancers pages that attracted me.
Since those involved in the original decision to support the National Geographic have changed their minds, I hope Kerri and Wendy can do likewise.
There's no sign yet there is someone available to step into their shoes. And, even if that person exists and is gearing up, the loss of continuity will be damaging to the freelancer support effort.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Monday, August 13, 2007 9:11 AM by Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
Thank you everyone, for your support this past week. I would like to especially thank Sally Lehrman, who continues to hang in there.
Jim, while the decision has been reversed, it wasn't, according to other posts on SPJ, due to a change of heart on the part of SPJ's leadership regarding their position. It was simply a matter of not being able to overcome the PR nightmare (one I had repeatedly warned them about). I blogged about my decision
www.kcwrite4u.blogspot.com
There are many capable freelancers still in SPJ who can pick up the torch if they so desire.
I wish them and you all well.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Monday, August 13, 2007 2:31 PM by Wendy Hoke
I echo Kerri's comments here. We won this battle, but we most certainly have not won the war for inclusion, as evidenced by comments by Ms. Tatum.

If anyone else on the national board feels differently than her, I have yet to read about it. Frankly, their silence speaks volumes.  

My concluding post on this episode is here:
www.creativeink.blogspot.com.

My best wishes to all of you. Perhaps I'll see you around ASJA and FLX.
Wendy




# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Monday, August 13, 2007 2:39 PM by Wendy Hoke
Sally Lehrman, of course, is the exception to the national board members in the above post. She continues to fight the fight from inside. If anyone is interested in helping freelancers in SPJ move forward, I would suggest you contact Sally.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:09 AM by John Ettorre
Kerri, your voice will indeed be missed. But I know it will be heard elsewhere. And this episode perhaps re-confirms what many of us already suspected: that ASJA is the truest and best home for the interests of independent writers. But I still haven't given up on SPJ. Not completely; not yet. As the journalism industry continues its upheavals, even the dimmest bulbs can see that the ratio between staff and independent journalists will continue to skew in favor of the latter. There will be growing strength in numbers. Even Chris Tatum can't help but see that simple fact.

As for Sally Lehrman, now I'm even prouder to have shared a panel with her a year ago this month at the SPJ national conference.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:19 AM by John Ettorre
And by the way, I didn't mean to infer that Ms. Tatum is a dim bulb. I don't know her and have never met her. I do however think she's made some poor decisions, but I happen to come from a tradition that commands we hate the sin, not the sinner.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Friday, August 17, 2007 1:46 AM by Catherine Rourke
Kerri,

You have my compassion, support and appreciation. As a journalist who has focused on workplace reform and workers rights for many years, I have written articles for the National Writers Union newsletter highlighting writers' working struggles. Perhaps you can continue your advocacy on behalf of freelancers with that very worthy organization. My hat's off to you!

Catherine Rourke
Social Reform and Labor Journalist
Sedona, Ariz.

# testing this one...

Thursday, November 22, 2007 2:47 PM by Dog training
Very interesting... as always! Cheers from Switzerland.

# re: SPJ Supports Publisher in Suit Brought by Freelance Photographer

Thursday, March 20, 2008 3:59 AM by zxevil164
5n33Ml Cool, bro!
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