The first findings of the EFJ survey on Mapping freelance journalists in Europe highlight the disparities in freelancers’ professional situation and labour rights’ protection across the region.
On 19 November, the EFJ Freelance Experts’ Group (FREG) held its biannual meeting. Unions’ representatives discussed the results of the survey “Mapping Freelance Journalists” launched by the EFJ in May to update its database on the social status of freelancers and their representation in professional associations and unions in Europe. Thirty-three organisations from 28 countries responded to the online questionnaire so far. The results reveal disturbing disparities in particular, in their right to organise themselves in unions to defend their occupational interests.
Main findings:
• Some affiliates (for example the German DJV and the Polish Association of Journalists), indicate a very high rate of freelancer affiliation (around 70% of members) but others don’t accommodate them (0% in TGS, Turkey, because it is against the law and in ESIEMTH, in Greece).
• In the majority of cases (57% of respondents), freelancers should be recognised as professional journalist to become a member of unions & associations.
• Nearly a quarter (23%) of the responding affiliates report offering a discount on the annual fee for freelancers.
• Only 54% of responding affiliates specifically handle the issue of freelancers in national branches (31%) and in local branches (23%).
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The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 139 countries