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, 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.

Survey and Case Study of Atypical Work in the Media Industry (2006)

Link to the EFJ Conference 'Empowering Freelance Journalists in Europe', September 2005

The EFJ Freelance Rights Expert Group