NewsBreak has scammed faithful content creators and may be on thin ice

NewsBreak platform has shifted

I began writing for NewsBreak in 2021, and a few months ago, to my shock and disappointment, my account was deactivated. This was not the first time I had experienced a writing platform abruptly shutting down or no longer promoting work. Yahoo Contributor Network ceased after a new CEO took over, and Blasting News stopped promoting articles and did not answer emails from many writers who wanted to know why.

NewsBreak is different because they manipulated those who enjoyed writing on the platform. I now believe the company is on thin ice and may shut down. Initially, everyone on the platform was equal, but within the past year, changes were made.

Those writing for NB without previous writing experience were labeled Community Voices. You became a writer if you wrote for sites like Vocal, Medium, or Hubpages and submitted copies of your work.

Promised changes never manifested

Those who had college degrees in journalism or had worked as journalists in recent years were labeled Contributors. To determine your status, you had to fill out an application with samples of your work, which is what we did when first applying. Why, I wondered, did we have to submit the info a second time?

There were also promises of increased distritbution for writers and contributors that did not manefest. With 100,000 followers my distribution and earnings should have been automatic-sysomatic. I wrongly assumed they sent my articles to all 100,000 of my followers but this was not the case. The algorithm was set up to decrease distribution.

I heard stories of those on the platform who were not getting paid properly but NewsBreak always paid me. I made $1900 in my first two weeks and the following months earned $4000, $6000, $8000 and $5000 and then the decline began.

My articles were only being distributed to a few hundred followers during the last months. If NB had told me I violated policies or had negative reviews, I would have understood being shut down. There were no warnings but a few red flags.

No was was brought back to the platform

NewsBreak sent an email announcing changes to the platform and a requirement to reapply for the new program a few months ago. They asked for the same information I had already provided twice, when I first joined and again when I became a Writer. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was a ruse.

Why would I need to show examples of my work from other platforms after writing for NewsBreak for three and a half years? my status with them should have been enough. Now I have to send them the same information for a third time? I smelled a rat.

I complied, but I knew deep down in my spirit that I would be rejected. The disappointment was palpable when the rejection email arrived. It was shocking to discover that some writers received emails assuring them of their good standing and exemption from reapplying for the new program. The truth was, there was no new program. It was a deceptive ploy to streamline their operations.

Reapplying appeared to be a ruse

NewsBreak had us go through the motions of reapplying with the information they already had, but they never intended to use us again. It was a betrayal of trust. Why would the information that got me accepted and then promoted to a Writer be rejected now?

We had to reapply through a special [portal] which I now know believe was designed for the sole purpose to send out the rejection letters. I don't know one person who reapplied and was accepted.

NewsBreak scammed dedicated contributors

NewsBreak was different from other writing sites because they promoted our work. I did not have to share on Facebook or with friends to get views and that was refreshing. There were days when I had four or five millions of views with little effort.

It's probably only a matter of time before the rest of those writing local stories are let go. The NewsBreak platform, like others has the right to do whatever they choose but treating contributors so unethically is wrong. Stringing people along with false promises, of benefiits, and closing accounts for no reason,was unprofessional.

Lying about a new platform and having contributors go through the motions of reapplying was unnecessary. I do wish the writers well who remain and perhaps the platform will continue. Even though I made a lot of money and always got paid I have to share this truth that NewsBreak in my humble opinion is a scam.