I'm a freelance journalist

"Give me one good reason why I should join the NUJ"

Printed copies of the freelance
10 reasons to join leaflets
are available to order.

We'll give you TEN:

1. Getting paid
   The NUJ recovers hundreds of thousands of pounds for its members each year. The NUJ Freelance Fees Guide is indispensable.
2. Getting advice
   The NUJ provides free legal advice on contracts, workers' rights and many other issues. It takes court action in dozens of cases every year and settles hundreds more out of court.
3. Copyright
   The NUJ offers expert advice on protecting your rights. It will also take legal action against infringers.
4. Press Card
   The NUJ Press Cards are nationally recognised: the badge of a professional journalist.
5. Training
   The NUJ is a major provider of training to update your journalistic skills.
6. Insurance
   Through Imaging Insurance, the NUJ has arranged discount cover for photographers and an affordable professional indemnity insurance policy, exclusive to NUJ members.
7. Getting Work
   The NUJ Freelance Directory – used by commissioning editors – is a sure way of advertising your skills.
8. Press freedom
   The NUJ lobbies government in defence of press freedom and acts to protect it when it comes under threat.
9. An international voice
   The NUJ is affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists - a lifeline for writers and photographers on dangerous assignments. Full members are entitled to hold the IFJ Press Card.
10. Communication
    The NUJ keeps you in touch with other journalists. There are regular newsletters and email networks linking you to people working in different areas, and your interests are represented by the Freelance Industrial Council.

The NUJ is the union for:
writers, reporters, photographers, researchers, online journalists, columnists, reviewers, picture researchers, editors, sub-editors, layout artists, designers, copy editors, cartoonists, illustrators, broadcasters, presenters, scriptwriters, TV and radio producers, proofreaders, indexers, press officers, advertising copywriters, public relations officers, creative artists, website designers, social media officers, front-end developers and coders and more.

Join

To become a freelance member of the NUJ, you must be self-employed and mainly dependent on journalism for your income.

If you are just starting out or working to re-establish yourself as a full-time journalist, you may be eligible for temporary membership.