Freelance Journalists: Initiatives from the FNSI Self-Employment Commission

Freelance journalists

An open window onto the world of precarious work and freelance journalists. This is the mission of the Self-Employed Work Commission of the National Federation of the Press (FNSI). Newly established but full of initiatives, the FNSI’s Self-Employed Work Commission is determined to shed light on the problems facing freelance journalism, which suffers the consequences of presenting an unconventional modernity.

An investigative report on the conditions of freelancers at different publications, to be carried out by the end of the year. A questionnaire to be addressed to self-employed journalists, also through regional Associations and Editorial Committees, in order to eventually create a complete and constantly updated database. And, starting immediately, an update to the section on Self-Employed Work on the Fnsi website, offering access to information, regulations, documents, and dedicated news.

These are some of the projects launched by the Self-Employed Work Commission of the National Federation of the Press, chaired by National Deputy Secretary Daniela Stigliano and coordinated by Maurizio Bekar (representative for Friuli Venezia Giulia), which met in Rome on September 30 and October 1.look what i found. The Commission alternated plenary session debates with the development and study of specific topics within the five working groups into which it is structured: Communication, Negotiation, Monitoring, Relations with other Category Entities, and Support Tools.

The investigative report on freelancers’ conditions will be, in particular, the basis on which the Fnsi Secretariat will build the review already requested of Fieg regarding the application of the Self-Employed Work Agreement contained in the national contract, which is poorly respected by publishers. It will also strongly support the request, repeatedly made in various forums to the Italian Government and European authorities, for the establishment of a guaranteed minimum compensation to restore dignity to freelance journalistic work.

Among the objectives set by the representatives of freelancers for the coming months is also a closer relationship and dialogue with other professional bodies, from the Order to INPGI and Casagit, to explore forms of collaboration, investigate new pathways into the profession, and improve welfare provisions for self-employed workers. A significant commitment will be dedicated to drafting proposals for starting negotiations with representatives of Publishers and a season of advocacy with institutions, from the Government to the Regions and Provinces.

Together with the Fnsi Training Department, projects for courses and seminars will also be launched, including on multimedia, organized at the local level. Targeted agreements and services for freelancers will be studied and negotiated.

Finally, the Fnsi Self-Employed Work Commission has emphasized how necessary and indispensable it is to protect contributors to publications involved in corporate crises, who often pay the highest price during restructuring and furthermore lack social safety nets. In particular, in the event of closures of operations or individual offices, the Union must commit to activating all useful tools to guarantee and protect the rights and dignity of freelance colleagues as well.