WHY ARE YOU WORKING FOR THEM, AMANDA?

AMANDA FERGUSON in Belfast

Monday, November 8, 2021

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I am a freelance, self employed, independent journalist which means I write and talk for a living and ultimately work for myself.

I work as a Northern Correspondent, a Northern Ireland Correspondent, an Ireland Stringer, and more, for a variety of local, national, and international organisations.

It means I work for lots of different programmes, media outlets, clients.

I have a number of mainstream and other clients I do regular work for, for which I am very grateful.

I also do project work and accept or reject work as I am offered it based on whether I want to do it

It makes me laugh when people say “just a freelance” like somehow it’s inferior to being a staff journalist, or, because I am so good at what I do they try to diminish me by saying it’s not being a proper journalist or a choice. Believe me, it’s an active choice.

It is the choice I made at the very start of my career. I have never been a staff journalist. Some of you associate me with a particular outlet or show or platform but please know I am not staff anywhere. And it’s been that way for nearly 12 years.

If you’re sending emails using an email address you think I have please be assured I am not receiving them. I’ve been spinning plates and doing it well for over a decade. I’m pretty proud of that.

I enjoy the variety being a freelance journalist, writer, broadcaster, event host, panellist, trainer, consultant, producer, fixer, brings - and I’m really rather good at it. I say it because it’s true and has the added bonus of really winding up melters. 'She’s so full of herself and arrogant'. Haha! I love replying don’t hate me because I’m fabulous. It’s infuriating for them. Anyway…

If you want to offer me paid work (No Fee, No Ferguson) please get in touch. If I want to do it I will. If I don’t, I won’t. I make the call based on a variety of factors. I decide.

When I am reporting it’s relaying what’s going on based on me spending time making it my business to find out what’s going on.

When I am giving my views it’s because my analysis and opinion is seen as having value and being sought by others.

Before you criticise me for working for a show or media outlet you don’t like please answer the following:

Who do you work for?

Why are you critiquing a woman for men’s contributions? I am happy to discuss my contributions but I’m not responsible for how others conduct themselves.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to provide a list of who you think it’s acceptable for me to work for? Because I bet you someone will have a problem with pretty much every show or outlet you deem acceptable.

Do you actively tick like, follow, subscribe on all my social media platforms, and share my posts?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmandaFBelfast

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AmandaFMedia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmandaFBelfast

YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/AmandaFBelfast

Have you ever offered me work or recommended me for work?

Have you ever financially supported what I am doing on my website or social media using #buymeacoffee, PayPal or Patreon (thanks to those who have or do🙏🏻)?

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AmandaFBelfast

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AmandaFBelfast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/amandajournalist

Being a journalist and particularly being a freelance woman with my own mind is a precarious enough position to be in that I don’t need people making life difficult for me.

I enjoy being freelance. If I didn’t (or ever stopped enjoying it) I wouldn’t be freelance. I would get a staff job, go for jobs I’m asked to apply for or I’m routinely offered out the blue etc. I do want people to please keep offering. If my circumstances change in the future or I feel the the offer is worth me giving up what I’ve built up as a freelance I might say yes.

Being freelance is a wild ride. It means I can be dumped by a programme, outlet or client without explanation. Personal grievances, sabotage, and/or the green eyed monster can also play a factor.

I don’t have the security and work related benefits staff journalists have but it also means I have so much variety and such great freedom to do and say pretty much whatever I want. That is something money can’t buy. Trust me.

Perhaps you might consider all this before having a go at me because you don’t like a particular presenter, programme or media outlet I do work for.

Thanks

Amanda

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