Freelance Conference 2019 - launch of the new study on Norwegian media freelancers

Time and venue: Wednesday, 25 September, Fritt Ord, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo.

Register here: registering@frittord.no.

The proportion of freelancers is on the rise in several countries, but there is little research-based knowledge about working conditions for journalists, photographers and critics who are without regular contracts of employment. A new Norwegian study conducted by media researchers Birgit Røe Mathisen at Nord University and Anders Graver Knudsen at OsloMet has surveyed Norwegian media freelancers’ job contentment and relations with their customers, as well as wage and fee trends. We invite the public to the launch of the report and the discussion about the challenges facing freelancers in Norway in 2019.

Ingerid Salvesen will be moderator for the day.

Programme:
8.30 a.m.: Doors open

9.00 a.m.: Welcoming remarks by Knut Olav Åmås, executive director of the Fritt Ord Foundation

9.05 a.m.: Presentation of the report by Anders Graver Knudsen and Birgit Røe Mathiesen

10.00 a.m.: First panel. The freelance market of the future
What ethical challenges do freelancers face, and how do they deal with them? Which structural changes in the media industry will affect freelancers’ routine work days in future? Are too many journalists disappearing to the communications sector and to the production of marketing content?

Hege Iren Franzen, chair of the Norwegian Union of Journalists
Siri Skaalmo, director of DNX, Dagens Næringsliv’s agency for content production
Pål Nedregotten, deputy chair of the Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association

11.00 a.m.: Second panel. Those bothersome rates; terms and conditions for freelancers who work for small editorial boards.
How do the tight financial circumstances of many small editorial boards affect freelancers’ living conditions? It can be difficult to ask for higher rates when the customer is both an employer and a colleague. Why is it so difficult to get paid better, and who is responsible for the level of remuneration?

Jon Rognlien, deputy chair of the Norwegian Critics’ Association
Bente Riise, secretary general of the Norwegian Association of the Periodical Press
Marie Skurdal, editor-in-chief of Klassekampen
Marit Kristine Flåtter, editor-in-chief of ArtScene Trondheim
Brian Cliff OIguin, deputy chair of the Freelance section of the Norwegian Union of Journalists

12.00 p.m.: Lunch

1.00 p.m.: End of the programme

The event is free of charge and open to the public. Link to Facebook event

The report High job contentment – poor conditions. The Freelance Survey 2019 will be published on the Fritt Ord Foundation’s website on 25 September, and a paper version will be available at the conference.