Week 8: Getting Ahead: Working with/in new media

Jay Rosen predicted a power change in the world of media industries, with the impact of internet in high regard to journalism. “In 2006, Jay Rosen penned an astute observation about changing power relationships in the media industries in general and more specifically the world of journalism regarding the impact of the internet” (Deuze 2009, 315). From the rise of the citizen journalist the evolution of traditional media into new media has meant that the workforce has needed to adapt also. Deuze (2009, 326) argues that the result of this contractual change in employment no longer exists, or not the same level, for those who choose to freelance. Gill (2007, 25) also explored this issue and he argued that these unregulated industries reinforce inequalities and “do not serve equal opportunities practices well” when compared with other regulated industries such as medicine or law (Gill 2007, 25).

This power shift between news users and producers comes with a large set of implications. Firstly, what does it mean for the future of ‘working’ journalists, or those that have completed a University degree in this field? When companies can receive information and articles for free from the public, then there is a risk that the traditional structure of journalism will collapse. In regards to companies obtaining news articles for free, it must also be considered whether or not these companies are exploiting their audience. Is it fair for an individual’s work to be exhibited without payment or acknowledgement of some form?In many professions, such as journalism, there may be no choice but to freelance. However, this choice presents many legal challenges. As Gill (2007, 25) notes, what happens if potential employers discriminate against you? If no one is being employed in the ‘traditional sense’ anymore, then ‘traditional’ laws will not serve and protect these employees. Finally, without appropriate measures in place, the devaluation of news content is likely to occur.

Reference List

Deuze, M. (2009). The people formerly known as the Employers. Journalism, Vol. 10, issue 3, pp. 315-318. (accessed April 16, 2010).

Gill, R. (2007). Informality is the New Black. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43.(accessed April 16, 2010).