Freelance Rights

Freelance journalism is no longer an "atypical" form of work. In many countries the majority of journalists are freelances. Many are journalists who would prefer traditional employment and have been forced into what we call "fake freelance" positions by employers who break local rules on employment by using freelances to fill full-time posts while avoiding state welfare and social charges.

Some appreciate the freedom, variety and flexibility of independent employment and feel it is increasingly the natural mode of work for journalists. The challenge of a freelance future is a test for journalists' unions in Europe and around the world.

Contracts and fees, training, authors' rights, and professional standards are all key issues for the freelance community of journalists. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) Authors Rights Expert Group (AREG) and the Freelance Experts' Group (FREG) therefore strive to defend and to promote freelance rights.

We say to our staff colleagues: in order to defend your rights and conditions of work, you can do nothing more effective than to promote the highest standards for freelances.

Reports and Information:

EFJ-ETUI Freelance Seminar "Changing News Industry: How can unions respond to increasing precarious and freelance work in journalism"

The Write-up can be found here.

Links for the Powerpoint Presentations of Karen Curtis, ILO and Esther Lynch, Irish Congress Trade Unions.

The conclusions can be found in English and French

Videos:

English