New Globe freelance policy includes Toronto Life, Chatelaine as competitors

Globe and Mail staff may no longer freelance for Toronto Life or Chatelaine because the magazines are now considered competitors, TheStoryBoard.ca reports,
adding “What’s more, the same policy applies to freelancers who
contribute to the paper, most of whom don’t earn enough from the Globe to support themselves.”

TheStoryBoard.ca is a joint initiative between the Canadian Writers Group (CWG), which represents the majority of Globe freelancers, and the Canadian Media Guild. It reported that Globe
editor John Stackhouse informed staff of the new policy, noting that he
was unavailable for comment.

The story quotes CWG’s Derek Finkle, who
says that freelancers want appropriate compensation for exclusivity.
“It’s a slippery slope,” he said, “Today, it’s Toronto Life and Chatelaine. Next week, it could be a dozen more publications who are perceived to be competitors.”