The rise of gig economy: Is freelance journalism the future hiring model for the media?
The gig economy has been on constant rise in the past decade. It does not look to be slowing down, especially in a time where COVID-19 is still widespread.
We have also seen journalist roles being cut in recent months with the closure of several media titles in publishing houses such as Blu Inc in Malaysia, Bauer Media in Australia and also jobs lost due to ABS-CBN in Philippines losing its license to operate. If these continue, the pool of talented journalists without a full-time role, will keep growing.
What does this mean for the journalism community? Ad revenues are significantly down - hugely impacted by the pandemic. Will the media seek to hire independent workers on a shorter-term commitment?
Hiring people from the ‘gig community’ does not come without issues. Keeping this sustainable for both parties for the long term will be a challenge. Complaints and outcries from the freelance journalist community in past years have been aplenty. Majority of these are due to the owing of payments to them – work produced are used for months before any money received in their bank accounts, if any are to eventually be received at all. For the media, ever so often, an opportunity to a pursue a story come up at the eleventh hour. Without someone on payroll to respond to these promptly, opportunities for great content may be passed up. These are just a couple of the many issues with the gig arrangement.
However, let’s consider the realities of the current market. Jobs are at a premium. The talent pool is many times larger than the vacancies to be filled. The freelance / contributor model may be the one of the ways for media companies to keep afloat, survive the business of media and weather the storm. Ad revenues are projected to pick up in 2021 but even then, this model can still help supplement the overheads.
In turn, journalists, reporters, content creators, possibly now have the opportunity to move into areas of journalism that they’ve always wanted to. In a gig journalism landscape, you can offer yourself to take up jobs that fully interest you, charge the ‘client’ what you believe you’re worth, and work for various companies at the same time. It will no longer be moonlighting as a freelancer can legally work for a media house to write a news story, and at the same time produce an in-house content for a corporate client. Graduates and new blood joining the journalism industry can also have a hand in trying out producing content for various forms of media while figuring out what’s best for them, and to build out that portfolio.
The role of a freelance journalist has never been more attractive. There has been so many who've been able to work freelance for many years and don't wish to ever switch to a full-time commitment to a single company. The main reason - work-life balance. Freelancers have been able to enjoy marriage, parenthood, travel (maybe not now), being a digital nomad with time on their side. It is not for everyone, but it is an option for a lot of people to try out right now.
In a time where many industries are hit hard by COVID-19, the media has been one of the the few areas where the general public has looked towards for information, knowledge and entertainment. The consumers are hungry for content and those with a passion for the media wouldn't want it to falter now. The gig community are made up of some of the most passionate and talented individuals in the media sector and it is time that they are properly utilised to keep the business of media going.
If you are freelance journalist, Telum Media wants to help. We do shout outs for freelancers in our media alerts where we 'tell' communications and media professionals of what you're after in our 'Focus on Freelancers' segment. Email us at [email protected] to be featured.