Working conditions for South Africa’s freelance journalists are difficult and their compensation is appalling and inadequate, a research report has concluded.
The report was commissioned by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation with the SA National Editors Forum (Sanef) and written by media academics Sarah Chiumbu and Allen Munoriyarwa. It is titled “The state of freelance journalists in South Africa”.
The report outlined the challenges and opportunities of freelance journalism in the country, stating that freelance journalism has become increasingly prominent in the media industry, especially in South Africa. This trend has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which normalised remote work. However, long before the pandemic, freelance journalism was already being driven by a media crisis marked by declining revenue, reduced advertising income, and significant job losses. It noted that this crisis forced many skilled journalists and media professionals into freelancing.
The report stated that their working conditions were difficult, and compensation was appalling and inadequate. With many journalists entering the freelance space, the freelance market was also becoming highly competitive while freelance journalists juggled multiple jobs, doing self-promotion, administrative work, and budget planning on top of their primary work of being a journalist.
It also found that many freelancers feel that media houses do not adequately address their needs, such as timely payments, compensation for extra expenses, and inclusion in journalism events and newsroom meetings. This lack of professional attention has led to apathy among freelancers, negatively affecting overall professionalism.