Business model and legal rundown on freelance press work?

With CNN and other major media outlets now expecting their needs to be served by "citizen journalism" and by companies like Demotix, opportunities are dwindling and the the competition is fierce for those who shoot. Some serious research is order so as to not waste your time.

To answer one of your questions, for "hard news" meaning genuine events that are not staged releases are not needed. Nor may your pictures be altered.

I'll just leave you with this

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/194919/3-photographers-among-those-laid-off-at-providence-journal/

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Don't aspire to be like someone else. Be better.