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Question

I'd like to share this question from SPJ's discussion board about freelancing.

Having just heard the perils of libel cases at the Region 1 Conference this weekend, I'd gotten religion and want to get libel insurance. It would be very nice if the SPJ offered a group policy for freelancers. What do other people think?

Thanks for your comments.
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:05 PM by AmyGreen

Comments

# re: Question

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:43 PM by piercepresley
Hell, yeah. And health insurance if they can. We're fast on our way to journalism being more of a freelance endeavor, and if SPJ wants to remain relevant, it's going to have to service the needs of that community.

# re: Question

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:24 PM by JoeSkeel
Hey all...I have some info for you.

SPJ does have a relationship with some insurance providers that have agreed to give discounts to members. However, libel insurance is not one of the options.

You can read more about those affinity partners at: http://www.spj.org/whyjoin4.asp?

SPJ has actually investigated the concept of providing libel insurance, but the demand just wasn't there. To get an affordable rate, SPJ would need a lot of people involved in the program.

# re: Question

Thursday, May 22, 2008 6:12 PM by Sue R
Any idea how many constitutes "a lot" Joe? I know quite a few freelancers who are interested in libel insurance. What would it take to make this happen in an affordable fashion, I wonder...

# re: Question

Friday, May 23, 2008 5:38 PM by JoeSkeel
I don't know a specific number...but I can sure try to find out. When I asked Terry Harper (SPJ's executive director) about this a couple days ago, he only said that when we looked into it in the past, we needed "a lot" more people to come forward.

# re: Question

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:25 AM by AmyGreen
Hi guys, thanks so much for all the feedback. And Joe, thanks so much for the good information.
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