Flatoutserver produces investigative reports, data journalism and independent editorial analysis for media clients, non-profit organizations and businesses that need rigorous, fact-checked content. We are based in downtown Ottawa and have been doing this work since March 2020.
Five areas of journalistic expertise for your editorial needs, at transparent rates with no surprises. All prices in Canadian dollars, subject to HST (13%).
In-depth investigations with source verification, access-to-information requests and full editorial validation. Ideal for sensitive issues, corporate misconduct, public policy matters and complex files that require weeks of fieldwork and cross-referencing. We document every source and deliver a complete notes package alongside the final piece.
From $2,400 excl. HST ($2,712 incl. HST)
Learn moreAnalysis of public or client-supplied datasets, production of interactive visualizations and data-driven storytelling. Our data journalists turn raw numbers into readable, accessible and verifiable stories. We work with government open data, statistical releases, financial filings and custom data feeds to uncover the patterns that matter.
From $1,800 excl. HST ($2,034 incl. HST)
Learn moreShort web video reports, journalistic podcasts and audio formats adapted for digital platforms. Filming, editing and sound production handled in-house with professional equipment. Perfect for enriching a text-based investigation or reaching a younger audience. Includes closed captions and accessible transcripts on all audio-visual deliverables.
From $850 excl. HST ($960.50 incl. HST)
Learn moreAnalysis pieces, columns and commentary on political, economic, social and cultural news. Our team situates events in their broader context, unpacks the stakes and offers an informed reading of major trends across Canada and North America. Grounded in evidence, written for a general audience, and editorially independent.
From $650 excl. HST ($734.50 incl. HST)
Learn moreStrategic support for newsrooms, communications teams and organizations that want to improve their journalistic practices, strengthen their editorial credibility or train staff to professional journalism standards. Available hourly or by the day. We cover editorial workflow, fact-checking processes, source management and audience trust.
From $225 excl. HST / hr ($254.25 incl. HST)
Learn moreA structured four-step editorial process designed to guarantee rigour, transparency and quality on every engagement.
Tell us about your need by email or phone. We respond within one business day with a preliminary feasibility assessment and an initial proposal. No commitment required at this stage — just a conversation to see whether we are the right fit.
Together we define the mandate scope: journalistic angle, sources to engage, delivery format, timeline and budget. A detailed service agreement is signed and a 40% deposit is collected to officially launch the project and reserve our team's time.
Our journalists conduct interviews, access public records, cross-reference sources and verify every fact independently. Three revision rounds are included in all mandates. You receive progress updates at every key milestone in the research phase so there are no surprises at delivery.
The final content is delivered in the agreed format, accompanied by a source documentation package. Your archive remains accessible for 24 months. B2B clients have net-30 payment terms from delivery. Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before work begins.
Practical articles and in-depth analysis to help communicators and newsrooms navigate modern journalism.
A practical guide to the federal Access to Information Act and provincial equivalents: deadlines, forms and strategies for getting government records that matter.
A survey of the software, platforms and methods used by data desks: scraping, cleaning, visualization and interactive publishing — what works and what to avoid.
What journalists and their sources need to know about confidentiality in Canada: the Charter, case law, Shield Act provisions and secure communication tools.
A comparison of video formats suited to journalistic web publishing: length, aspect ratio, captioning, accessibility requirements and social platform distribution.
Questions about our services, rates or process? Browse our full FAQ or reach out directly — we respond within one business day.
All questionsYes. We work with businesses, non-profits and public bodies that need verified journalistic content. Every mandate includes a clear disclosure of the client-media relationship, in line with professional journalism standards. Editorial independence is written into every contract we sign.
A standard investigative report generally takes two to four weeks depending on complexity. Data journalism projects typically run one to three weeks. We also offer a 72-hour rush option for standard investigative reporting, at an additional rate of $3,600 excl. HST ($4,068 incl.). Exact timelines are confirmed during the editorial scoping meeting.
Three revision rounds are included in all mandates at no extra charge. Each round covers your editorial comments, angle adjustments and any additional fact-checks you request. Beyond three rounds, additional fees apply at the media consulting hourly rate.
Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before work begins. After that point, the 40% deposit is retained to cover preparation costs already incurred. If production has already started, billing is pro-rated to the work completed. All conditions are set out in the service agreement signed at the start of each mandate.
Describe your editorial need. We will get back to you within one business day with an initial, no-commitment proposal.
40% deposit · Free cancellation within 72 h · B2B net-30 payment