Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

• Maclean's, Toronto Life and Hazlitt major Magazine Awards medalists [Canadian Magazines]
• How (Not) To Report On Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside [Canadaland]
• Anna Maria Tremonti leaving The Current to host and produce original podcasts for CBC [CBC]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• 7 ways journalists can access academic research for free [Journalist's Resource]
• 3 powerful reasons to write your freelance brand story [Freelancers Union]
• Vox Media has shifted its hiring toward part-timers and contract workers since its staff unionized [Nieman Lab]
• 25+ Productivity Apps That Help Freelancers Get Way More Done [The Write Life]
• Freelance writers legal defense fund [National Writers Union]

Recently on Story Board:

• Toronto Fairness in Factual spring mixer June 6: If you’re in the Toronto area and you work in factual television you’re invited to a spring mixer hosted by the Canadian Media Guild’s Fairness in Factual campaign...
• Toronto media mixer on June 3: Toronto media workers, students and freelancers are invited to a media mixer on June 3 co-hosted by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) and CWA Canada Associate Members. The event is a welcome party to kick off the 2019 NCRA national conference...

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.