The Networked Freelancer? Digital labour and freelance journalism in the age of social media

Despite much debate around disruptions in journalism and its future, scholarship is often less inclined to consider the role of freelance journalists on the future of the craft. The increasing trend towards atypical employment in labor markets is also reflected in journalism practice: the number of freelance journalists increased by 67% in the UK from 2000 to 2015. In several Central and Eastern European countries, freelancing is the major form of work in journalism. The advent of social media has given rise to new questions and considerations around journalistic practice. This paper considers the concept of ‘digital labor’ and how this may be applied to the contemporary freelance journalist. Digital labor is not solely considered in a techno deterministic fashion but also includes broader issues such as contractual conditions and work/life balance. To explore these issues, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 freelance journalists working in the Republic of Ireland; 10 established freelance journalists and ten new entrants. We found some salient issues around freelance journalism and digital labor and some notable differences in both attitudes and practices between established freelance journalists and new entrants to the field.