Unpaid journalists launch Twice Magazine action - North West Media News

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Unpaid journalists launch Twice Magazine action

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Monday, 15 September 2008

The National Union of Journalists has got involved after journalists’ complaints against the publishers of Twice Magazine .

Unpaid journalists launch Twice Magazine action

The main concern is a lack of payment for several freelance writers, who’ve had work published in Twice. There are many other complaints which How-Do has seen, but for legal reasons we are unable to print in full.

A spokesperson for the NUJ described the situation as “scandalous” as even if they had been paid, the journalists were being offered below minimum wage.

We tried to get in touch with the magazine and their publisher on Friday for a comment, but were unable to get through.

Readers of How-Do may notice a sense of deja-vu as previous stories on the company have drawn comments from unhappy contributors in the UK and Canada:

"I am a writer in Vancouver who was hired by Mr. Gartside to produce a number of articles for "The Men's Book," but since submitting my work I haven't received response to numerous emails - or payment for my contributions."

The NUJ has warned journalists against agreeing to work without a contract or for no wage.

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Comments (12)

1 By shameonthem, on 15-09-2008 12:43
That's poor. I always prioritise freelance payments, its often someones mortgage or gas bill after all.

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2 By Shocked, on 15-09-2008 13:59
This is ridiculous! Good writers are invaluable, shame on Twice. Why do they want so much for free? steer clear folks!

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3 By freelance, on 15-09-2008 16:20
Too many publishers think that content is either free or cheap. If they can get students or interns or work placement kids or gullible freelancers to do it, then they will.
Even the very biggest publishers do this. Murdoch has lots ofinterns and so does the Grauniad. But then, back in the old days there were lots of non-graduates who started work for fourpence a week, working as tea boys and skivvies and learning their trade on the job. Work placement isn 't much different.
If freelances think that a publisher is rubbish, don't touch them with a bargepole. The stinkers stand out a mile.
Some of my aquaintances got stung by the entrepreneurial management behind the Manchester Flash. One guy still grumbles about it, even now.

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4 By booooo!, on 15-09-2008 16:01
it had just got halfway decent as well

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5 By freelance (2), on 15-09-2008 16:39
I hate to post anonymously, but for professional reasons, I have to. Let's be honest, it was rubbish, cheap and nasty, neither fish nor fowl. I feel sorry for the hack who has been stitched up, but I'm afraid these unscrupulous here today, gone tomorrow publishers are like that. It's a publication that, if it disappears tomorrow, as seems not unlikely, nobody would miss.

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6 By Judytwoshoes, on 16-09-2008 13:11
I agree, it had just become a lot more decent lately, it started off awful, really bad but it got a lot better. Looks like they burned the people/person who would make it worth reading in the long run. It certainly won't be around very long if this is how they handle themselves, go with publications who have a decent reputation.

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7 By Anon, on 16-09-2008 16:56
I have done freelance work for Twice, and have gone unpaid dispite successive promises of pay.

At one meeting, I was offered pittance over the table (it was litterally whatever the owners had in their pockets).

The worst thing about them, however, is how derogatory about other publications they are, saying things that were as unfounded as they were nasty.

Furthermore, the "Editor" has no journalistic experience, hence the paper being so shocking when it first started up.

I would advise everyone to steer clear and not put their name to this excuse for a publication.

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8 By E. Green, on 16-09-2008 19:04
I have written several articles for Twice and there has been absolutely no problem with agreed payment for articles that have been used. I think it is very sad that people are allowed to post on here anonymously and try to bring down what is a new publication, which is improving with every issue, and which quite rightly does not use inferior articles. Keep going TWICE!!!

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9 By lol, on 17-09-2008 01:40
quite obviously someone from Twice editorial there!

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10 By Carla, on 17-09-2008 12:22
Looks like they're burning bridges on both sides of the pond. The hacks in question clearly have reasonable argument if the NUJ have seen the full details. As the saying goes: PAY THE WRITER!

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11 By joe, on 17-09-2008 14:50
we'll obviously have to wait for the outcome on this one but I'd be interested to know the details. I write for a few publications for free and a few that pay and I know a few other music writers round here who do the same. Working for free goes with the territory in this game at first as any experienced hack knows. I don't know how experienced the writers are in this case but if they think every publication pays they're mistaken. But on the other hand, if they were meant to be paid then that's quite low not to pay them. I agree freelancers rely heavily on publications being clear and keeping their word. In my case as long as I know which pieces are paid and which aren't I can arrange my work accordingly, I wouldn't turn down unpaid work if I thought I'd enjoy it but if I'm expecting to be paid I'd be ticked off!

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12 By egreen, on 20-09-2008 11:32
LOL...quite obviously someone whose work has been rejected by TWICE magazine? I am using my name and some of my work can be seen in TWICE, use yours and let's compare shall we?

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