Making
Reasons for low earnings include “low levels of commissions,
ends meet
Freelance journalists are taking on additional types of work. Jo Carlowe looks at what they are doing and why
M
ore than one in three freelance journalists now have a second source of earnings, and often it has nothing to do with journalism. From dog-walking to jewellery-making, the level of diversification among freelance
journalists is staggering. With many writers reporting falling income, it’s a phenomenon that looks set to grow. The report Exploring Freelance Journalism, compiled for
the National Council for the Training of Journalists, reveals that 35 per cent of freelance journalists augment their earnings with non-journalistic work. Much of this (26 per cent) is media work, such as PR. In addition, 22 per cent of respondents ticked “educator”, five per cent said ‘consultant’ and four per cent worked in the voluntary sector; 17 per cent of participants stated “other”. “A growing number seem to be operating as self-employed alongside paid employment. The research suggests in the region of one in five holds down a job as well as being a freelance worker in their ‘creative businesses’,” says independent economic researcher, Mark Spilsbury, author of the report. There is no annual data to indicate whether this phenomenon is new or rising. However, economic pressures on freelance journalists have worsened over the past decade. Freelance journalists earn less than their employed
counterparts. Journalists’ median annual income in 2015 was £30,884, according to the Office for National Statistics. The NCTJ report shows the freelance equivalent is £19,499. Many freelances earn less – 14 per cent earned less than £5,000, eight per cent below £7,499, six per cent under £9,999, eight per cent less than £12,499, and six per cent under £14,999. Freelances are more likely than other self-employed people to claim benefits or tax credits, at 36 per cent against 30 per cent. Nearly 90 per cent of journalists who responded to the NUJ’s 2015 pay survey said their rates had not risen in the past year, and more than one in five had been asked to work for no pay.
12 | theJournalist “ “
Magazines aren’t chucking the big fees at us that they once did, and newspapers are often offering half of what they used to for case studies
low (and possibly falling) rates … and the availability of others willing to work for free,” according to the NCTJ report. “The climate has definitely changed,” says freelance journalist
Johanna Bell from Hersham, Surrey. “Magazines aren’t chucking the big fees at us that they once did, and newspapers are often offering half of what they used to for case studies. A lot of people are willing to write for very little and even for free. I’ve missed out on second rights deals when online news sites lift my stories. Finally, I’m spending more time chasing payments. Things are getting tighter from all angles.” Bell now combines journalism with running a spinning
class. “I could continue to make money solely as a freelance journalist, but it’s nice to have that little bit of regular income every month which I know will be paid when I invoice.” John Toner, the NUJ’s freelance organiser, warns of a rise in
the ‘good enough culture’. “Media organisations determined to cut costs will accept
amateur work that comes free, in the hope that it is good enough. Of course, it is seldom good enough and there is no substitute for professional work in journalism.” Freelance journalist Sarah Bee from London has started
working bar shifts. “There’s more dignity in having a sociable minimum wage
job than in desperately pleading for stagnant writing rates,” she says. “People accepting low rates or working for free undermine the efforts of all of us. It’s so stressful that I’m inclined to do things that have nothing to do with writing to get by.” However, the NCTJ report finds the majority of journalists (82 per cent) are not seeking to leave freelancing. “For many it’s a trade-off between earnings and lifestyle – despite lower earnings, relatively few appear to be seeking a return to employee status,” says Spilsbury. “It’s becoming more and more normal to have a second
job,” says journalist Harry Cunningham of Loughborough, who supplements his freelance income with private tutoring. “Tutoring and writing is a nice mix. The two complement each other.” Moreover, having an additional job allows some freelances
to continue to write instead of leaving the profession. Kathryn Spencer from Brighton has freelanced for the
nationals since leaving her staff job in 2009. She also sells vintage clothing and accessories. “It’s a buffer should I go through a fallow period journalistically. I have no problem making my living as a freelance journalist but you never know what’s around the corner. Budgets have been cut in most places and article pay rates have gone down drastically. Nowadays, journalists are wise to diversify if they can.” NUJ president Tim Dawson, who represents freelances on the union’s national executive council, acknowledges that changes over the past 15 years have forced some journalists to “look to quite diverse means to make ends meet”. However, he’s not convinced that juggling jobs is a new phenomenon. “I can think of people 20 years ago who were journalist and
yoga instructor. Freelance journalism has always been a very hard way to make a living. You just have to read George Orwell’s Keep the Aspidistra Flying to know that.” Nonetheless, he urges freelances to try to capitalise on the
changes within the industry. “It’s about finding ways to use the skills of a journalist to do useful, productive and in-demand work. More media is being created now than at any time in history, whether it’s websites, videos or photographs. There’s a whole galaxy of opportunity.”
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