The California Media Workers Guild has launched a new Freelance Unit, focused on independent journalists. The unit, which plans to accredit freelancers, advocate for them on legislative issues, and explore the possibility of group medical coverage, is the first freelancers group in the country associated with a local office of The Newspaper Guild.

The move is spurred in large part by deep newsroom cuts which have sent many previously staffers out on their own. "The Guild is working with community groups and other partners to strengthen the safety net and equip writers, photographers, web content providers and graphic artists the supports they need to work independently without sacrificing security," the Guild said in its announcement.

The Guild says the unit is open to any working freelancer. "Our goal is not to exclude anyone based on the type of journalism they practice or the platform they use to publish or broadcast their work," the Guild announcement said. But they added that they will apply rigor to the credentialing process. "We need to separate the dabbler, the dilettante and the publicist from the ranks of freelance working journalists," the announcement said. Longtime freelancer and religion writer Don Lattin will oversee the credentialing process.

For more, see the new Guild Freelancers Web site.