Tenth "Day of the Free" 2009
The "Day of Freelancers" will be held for the tenth time on September 12, 2009 at the Karl der Grosse Center in Zurich. The conference, which is organized every year by the "Freelance Commission" of the media trade union Comedia, is aimed at freelance journalists, photographers and other freelance media professionals.
The "Day of Freelancers" will be held for the tenth time on September 12, 2009 at the Karl der Grosse Center in Zurich. The conference, which is organized every year by the "Freelance Commission" of the media trade union Comedia, is aimed at freelance journalists, photographers and other freelance media professionals. The anniversary event will be a "meeting point for all those who are on the street today," Comedia said in a press release. The title of this year's event is "Journalism in crisis - an opportunity for freelancers?". Since May of this year, over 300 editorial positions have already been cut or corresponding cuts announced.
Among those affected are 69 previously permanent journalists from the free newspaper ".ch", 88 from the "Tages-Anzeiger", 19 from the "Bund" and 22 from the "NZZ". The "NLZ" is losing 15 editors, the "BAZ" 20, Vogt/Schild has laid off 15 people and the AZAG ("Aargauer Zeitung"/"Mittelland Zeitung)" is laying off 65 editors. Many of those made redundant are now trying their luck as freelancers. The freelance commission emphasizes that tips and tools can be given to existing freelancers and those who have become freelancers as a result of the cutbacks in the print media. In particular, it sees the quality of journalism under threat, but also the watchdog function of the media and, not least, the free formation of opinion in our democracy.
Among those affected are 69 previously permanent journalists from the free newspaper ".ch", 88 from the "Tages-Anzeiger", 19 from the "Bund" and 22 from the "NZZ". The "NLZ" is losing 15 editors, the "BAZ" 20, Vogt/Schild has laid off 15 people and the AZAG ("Aargauer Zeitung"/"Mittelland Zeitung)" is laying off 65 editors. Many of those made redundant are now trying their luck as freelancers. The freelance commission emphasizes that tips and tools can be given to existing freelancers and those who have become freelancers as a result of the cutbacks in the print media. In particular, it sees the quality of journalism under threat, but also the watchdog function of the media and, not least, the free formation of opinion in our democracy.
