What to do when suspended from NewsBreak

Suspension from NewsBreak is not as traumatic as it seems

When it comes to online writing platforms they each have their own rules and regulations which are constantly changing. Writers are human so some of us will inadvertently find ourselves being reprimanded. Others may purposely do what they know is a violation and hope to not be caught. When I first began writing for the NewsBreak contributor network I read that if you received two strikes for breaking any rules you would be suspended from the platform.

NewsBreak is a platform that encourages local news as well as state or national breaking news. Contributors are paid based on the rate the algorithm chooses which varies per 1000 views. Last week I was suspended from the NB platform for one week because two images I used were in violation. Two sources I had been using for the past three or four months without issue had now been flagged.

Vocal Media alerts you that a photo cannot be used and will not publish the story until you change the image but NewsBreak gives you strikes and then suspension. I filed an appeal with NB and am waiting to find out if it will be successful but if it is not I only have 3 more days to go. At first, I panicked because I would be losing money being unable to write for seven days. When I settled down I realized I could use the downtime wisely and still earn income.

What to do while you wait

There are three specific things I suggest you do if you are suspended from NewsBreak that will get you through to the other side. If you write as a hobby and do not depend on the income it really will not matter. If, however, this is your bread and butter it will affect you so keep the following tips in mind.

1. If you are suspended from NewsBreak the first thing you should do is file an appeal unless you are guilty as charged. The appeal process will be offered in the email you receive confirming your suspension so click on it and follow the instructions. If you win the appeal the strike will be removed from your account.

2. Examine ways to not be in violation again. In my situation, when I don't take a picture myself I will only use screenshots from videos, and images from Pixabay, Unsplash, or Wikipedia from now on. This way I don't have to wonder if I will receive another strike.

3 . By all means, continue writing. The suspension (at least at this time) only restricts you from publishing but not from creating content so you are free to produce and save. Be mindful that time-sensitive or breaking news may not be published in a timely manner once the suspension lifts. Write articles that will still be relevant within the timeframe of your downtime. If you really want to address breaking news you can begin an article and then once you are free to publish look for additional links and make edits to rewrite it as a follow-up instead of a breaking story.

Once the suspension is lifted you will already have material to be published and your finances will not be as impacted as they would have if you went seven days without writing. If you write for other sites like Vocal Media, Hubpages or Medium you can create content for those sites while you wait on NewsBreak to release you from "jail."

The best thing to do is make sure you are following all of the rules so you don't get strikes. We are humans and creaturs of habit and may fall back into old patterns but now you know how to handle it should you have a NewsBreak mishap.

Update

My appeal was accepted and I was only unable to publish for 4 days.