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

From Canada:

• Chronicle Herald suspends layoff notices, says union [Toronto Star]
• Canada’s national fabric is paying price for depletion of journalistic resources: Hébert [Toronto Star]
• Op-ed: Dear Canadian journalists, It's time to take action [Ryerson Review]
• Why the Chronicle Herald is locked in a labour dispute [J-Source]
• The true meaning of Postmedia’s job cuts can’t be captured in numbers [Globe and Mail]
• Nobody likes a scab: Journalists must oppose Chronicle Herald lockout [Rabble]
• Postmedia's betrayal of trust [Unifor]
• Postmedia merges newsrooms, cuts 90 jobs in response to financial woes [Globe and Mail]
• State of the Unions [Canadaland]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• Why You Should Be Pursuing Anchor Clients and How to Do It [The Freelancer]
• How to "winterize" your freelance business [Freelancers Union]
• 8 Blogs Every Media Professional Should Follow [Mediabistro]
• Choose a main character and 9 other ideas for starting a story [Poynter
• Does Your Personality Fit The Gig Economy? [Forbes]
• As Jason Rezaian goes free, press freedom worldwide remains imperiled [Poynter]
• Why English writers accept being treated like dirt [The Spectator]
• So You Want to be a Freelance Writer [Spirit Style Scribe]

Last week on Story Board:

• CWA Canada Associate Members call for solidarity with Halifax journalists: CWA Canada Associate Members are joining the Halifax Typographical Union (CWA Canada Local 30130) in calling on freelancers and student journalists to stand in solidarity with newsroom staff at The Chronicle Herald who could be on picket lines Saturday morning...
• Links between freelancing and gender inequality highlighted by Chronicle Herald labour dispute: The Halifax Chronicle Herald made headlines last week for contacting freelance journalists to replace the newspaper’s employees during a possible lockout or strike, which could start as early as January 23...
• Freelancers, union leaders urge support for Chronicle Herald staff during labour dispute: Sandra Phinney knows exactly how difficult it is to negotiate with the owners of the Halifax Chronicle Herald. The Yarmouth-based freelance writer was offered a harsh contract by the company several years ago...

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.