Hi Susie. I noticed you know a lot about Occupy Oakland. Would you tell me what happened on XX day, and would you put me in touch with XX people?
Hi paid journalist who I’ve never had any contact with before. I’m a journalist too! And your inquiry is less flattering than it is deeply disturbing. Yes, it’s true — though I don’t have a full-time employer, this has been my job for several years, and I’ve worked for some pretty great places that you’ve heard of. I would like to be paid like you are to do the reporting that I do on a freelance basis — after all, it’s my only job, and the only way I can survive will be getting paid to do it. And hey, I’m already here, in Oakland, and reporting! And I know lots of things! Is there an opportunity for me to be paid to write the article for your organization using the knowledge that I have? Is there an opportunity for you to pay me as a stringer for the knowledge that I have? No? Okay, best of luck to you and the future of journalism.
