Press Release
(Berlin, 19 May 2020) Today Hostwriter – a network that helps journalists easily collaborate across borders – in partnership with the European Journalism Centre, announces the launch of a new tool in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 Collaboration Wire.
As national borders remain closed or limited in response to the pandemic, the travel necessary for international journalism to thrive has been heavily restricted. At the same time, freelance journalists all over the world have lost commissions due to the economic hardship produced by global shutdowns. COVID-19 Collaboration Wire, which came to life with the support of nextMedia.Hamburg, aims to assist with both of these problems.
Using the COVID-19 Collaboration Wire, editors fill out a simple form requesting journalistic work on a topic from any number of countries. Hostwriter’s team will then utilize their global network of over 5,000 members in 154 countries to find journalists ready to work on the topic. Editors will receive the top pitches in their inbox from vetted local journalists who they can then contact directly.
The European Journalism Centre will provide support for the project as part of its long-term strategy to enable a strong structure around freelance journalism. Learn more about the EJC here.
Press Contact:
For inquiries about the COVID-19 Collaboration Wire, or the other ways in which Hostwriter is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Hostwriter’s Head of Communications, Bernadette Geyer: bernadette@hostwriter.org