Did the journalist die out in 2009?

Most journalists have that experience of telling someone at a party that they're a journalist, only to be met with the hilarious riposte: "ooh, better be careful what we say, eh?" Ho flippin' ho.

Except I'm not sure how many journalists I actually know these days - at least in the sense I understood journalism back when I started out.

One of my former editors has given up B2B journalism in favour of publishing sponsored supplements for CIOs. Another former editor from Emap now commissions me for a website about the use of technology in the NHS - the website is sponsored by a vendor. Another former commissioning ed from a national now commissions me for articles in the national press - but they're supplements paid for by major IT vendors.

I write for a couple of magazines published by professional associations, one magazine published by a University, another published by a government department - but at the moment, I only have one regular client that involves actual, independent journalism (insofar as any business journalism is ever independent of course). 

The remainder of my work is split pretty evenly between writing white papers, websites, blogs and other commercial content and taking on PR clients - at the moment I do PR for a women's development social enterprise, for a pre-school activity provider and an acupuncture clinic. Through my PR work, I started a parenting blog and that's translated into a couple of writing gigs and some fiming work  - on websites owned by a travel company and a major consumer brand. I've also expanded my training to include blogs and social media as well as mainstream media.

Honestly, these days when someone asks me at a party what I do for a living I'm more inclined to say that I'm a "writer" than a journalist - it somehow feels more honest. Is it just me? Are there any bona fide freelance journalists still out there?

Comments

[Jess]

I completely agree, Sally, and I too am much more likely to describe myself as a 'freelance writer' than a 'journalist' these days. After all, more of my monthly income right now comes from writing articles for sponsored reports and corporate copywriting assignments than it does from editorial work - the split is about 60:40 for commissions received so far for November, and it's a month where I've got a lot more editorial work on than has been the case for most of 2009. I don't feel bad about that, but I'd pick editorial over corporate every time if I had the choice, because there's simply more scope in independence. Hoping there'll be more editorial about next year - but who knows?

[Laura Marcus]

I still call myself a journalist as that remains the way I earn my living. I'd take corporate work if it came my way but it doesn't. I'd be happy to write for any outlet that pays, provided it didn't cross any ethical lines for me.

But I'm very concerned that so many former journalists now do mainly corporate, sponsored work. I understand why they take this work and as I've said, I would too if it were ever offered.

But who will hold the corporations and sponsors to account if not journalists? Writing isn't journalism; entirely agree with you Sally.

[Sally]

@Jess - I think it's a long time since journalism took up any more than about 25% of my working month. Certainly not during 2009. Like you, I'd love to do that more, but as a freelancer, you take what's out there and - to be fair - lots of the commercial writing I do is pretty interesting. But I hope 2010 is a bit easier.

@Laura - You have my utmost respect if you're making a living enteirely from journalism in 2009. I agree journalism is a different thing entirely to writing, but there doesn't seem (at the moment) to be the will or the money to support it.

[Liz]

I'm a freelance journalist - but as my (electronic) bank manager will verify, making a living from this particular game in 2009 is far from easy. I owe everything to my contacts.

[Sally]

Liz - thanks for commenting. Just out of interest (because I'm in a similar boat, I guess) do you class what you do with Kidstart as journalism or writing?

[Liz]

KidStart is blogging, so I guess that's writing, although I do source stories, interview relevant experts, comment on newsworthy events... so in that sense it's journalism.

But I make my living from my freelance journalism.

[Laura Marcus]

Thanks Sally! I'm blessed with low outgoings as I bought my house when they were still affordable by freelancers. And I have no kids or dependents. So I can survive, just, on fairly meagre earnings from journalism.

I also do a bit of broadcasting which doesn't pay much per pop but does add up if you do a fair bit of it. I regard this as journalism - is it? It's probably more like punditry but as I get the gigs on the back of being a relationship expert/agony aunt, ie journalism, I think it's fair to call it that?

You're probably MUCH better off than me though if that's any consolation, and I really hope it is!

[Anne]

Nope, I'm doing a mixture. I've been writing for two film magazines, the Channel 4 Film website and the Guardian (the film blog and got a piece in Education tomorrow), but I've also been working for a palliative care charity, a digital copywriting agency, a youth charity and a customer magazine. Though it's worth mentioning that the clients on the corporate side hired me for my journalistic skills - writing, chasing up news leads, etc. Ha, who am I trying to kid. You know what though, I've just had a very good couple of months work-wise, so I'm not complaining.

[James Warnette]

Thanks for writing this, Sally. It's a really interesting post. I've got a few questions that I'd love to get your views on though :)

I think its really sad to see so many publications hitting the wall, talented journalists out of work, or even worse, selling their soul writing corporate docs and having to toe a pre-arranged line.

The Internet has brought so much to so many industries, except that is when it comes to the publishing sector.

By removing the costs and barriers associated with publishing, blogs and such like have drained publishing of its value, making the written word worthless.

It's a really bad joke that amatuer and often illiterate content has seemingly seen off such a gallant occupation.

Do you think that if publications charge for original content and laws are enforced that restrict the use of said content (killing of the cut & paste writing often found in blogs), that the publishing industry will rise again?

Ta, J

[nappyvalleygirl]

I still call myself a freelance journalist, but over half my income in the past year came from PR/copywriting. I'm still kind of clinging to the title, though, probably because it makes me feel somewhat more interesting than I actually am.....and I still feel as if all the copywriting/editing is a stopgap until the journalism thing picks up (who am I kidding?) x

[PJ White]

Telling people at a party that you are a writer doesn't seem a great plan. They'll think you're claiming to be Pushkin or Danielle Steel or somebody (depending on what kind of parties you go to).

You need to qualify it in some way. Commercial copywriter might do it. Or just say you work with computers. That should shut people up and let you talk about something more interesting than work. You're at a party, remember?

[Liz]

Just to add that what really gets my goat is all these adverts - mostly on gorkana - for 'freelance' writers. You read the ad and guess what - the position is 'unpaid'. If it's 'unpaid' it's not a 'freelance' role, is it? It's WORKING FOR NOTHING. This kind of practice has been on the increase in the last 18 months or so and it's something I for one would really like to see stamped out.

[PJ White]

Just seen today's batch of "journalism jobs found" by Press Gazette.

http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/5769

There's eight jobs. One is a production editor for a media, events, exhibitions and publishing company and looks broadly journalistic.

The other seven are different forms of PR, or book editing.

I figure from that you can call yourself what you want. If the trade mag isn't distinguishing between PR and journalism, I can't think who else is bothering.

[Robyn Slingsby]

I totally agree! I'm a qualified journalist and very proud of that title although it doesn't really reflect what I do now. Since the introduction of social media, blogs, video editing, tweeting, eComms and the like, the job title of journalist doesn't quite cut it. When you use the j word people imagine you dashing around, chasing stories with a tape recorder in your pocket and writing dirt about people. But there's so much more to journalism than that.

[lesley]

I'm glad you posted this. I've been feeling like an imposter on journalism related forums and web sites, because between writing my book, blogging, and doing corporate work, I simply haven't had enough time to devote to doing real journalism.

It's not that I don't want to - I do still send out some pitches, but so few places are commissioning in my niche, and the rates of pay for many of the publications is so low, that I've ended up having to look for other writing related work. Of course that means less time to pitch for the good gigs, so it's a self fulfilling cycle.

I'm 'glad' to see that I'm not the only person in that position, and like Nappyvalleygirl, I hope that things will pick up soon.

[Sally]

@James - My view is that the old model of journalism and paid-for content is gone. I genuinely think we'll see a rise of paid-for journalism from corporations.

The NY Times wrote about this recently when a sports team hired their own reporter (I blogged about it here: http://gettingink.typepad.com/getting_ink/2009/10/would-you-hire-a-reporter.html)

For me, it makes perfect sense. With the rise of the Internet, you might argue there's less need for brands to bother with media organisations as intermediaries - just produce your own well-written, SEO ready copy and put it out to the network.

Independence? Pah, twas always largely an illusion. I do loads of work for tech brands that's virtually indistinguishable from what I used to do for Reed, VNU et al back in the days when they had budget. Just a different name on the cheque. And you're being sensitive to the vendor's positioning but in the old days you're just as likely to have been sensitive to the advertisers' position. Is there really a difference?

@PJ White - you're right, "writer" is pretentious. Fortunately, I don't have an issue with people thinking I'm an artistic genius working on the next great novel. As to the free jobs, it's a depressing trend isn't it? Do you think it's inexorable?

@lesley - I feel much the same. I stopped hanging out on journalism forums because I've done so little journalism this year. And I do sometimes miss it, although the new stuff is just as good in a different way.

[Neil]

Sally, couldn't agree more. I left a national newspaper to go freelance as a business writer back in '96, partly because I'd been offered some nice corporate work to provide a base income.

Back then, the Independent were paying me 30p a word and giving me loads of grief and stress, while my corporate clients were paying £1 a word and treating me like a professional person who knew his craft and was to be treated with care and respect.

I don't believe all that "selling your soul" crap. Some corporate work is dull and pointless, but then so are a lot of run of the mill journo assignments. A lot of the corporate work has been fun, creatively challenging and intellectually rewarding. My writing helped one charity to raise £250m, which ain't bad!

If you feel guilty, just think of all those "credible" actors who fund indie projects with their coffee ads, those "edgy" comedians who work the after-dinner corporate market, and those "soulful" pop bands that do private gigs for the rich.