ABSTRACT

In this paper, we focus on the consequences of cost-cutting strategies for the division of labor in newsrooms both in terms of differences between generalist profiles and beat reporters, and in terms of differences between permanent staff and freelancers. A large-scale representative survey of Belgian journalists in 2013 and 2018 shows that the number of beat reporters has remained stable although these journalists are expected to cover a higher number of beats. We also noticed a sharp increase of self-employed journalists. The prestigious political beat seems to benefit from a protected position in the newsroom and is mostly staffed by payroll journalists. Other beats are under pressure, most importantly the regional beat (that has decreased over the course of 5 years) and the lifestyle beat. The latter group of journalists are predominantly freelancers and report low levels of perceived autonomy from commercial and non-commercial pressure. The findings raise concerns about negative side-effects of cost-cutting strategies including a tendency towards more homogeneous news production and increasing influence of PR on journalism.

摘要

在本文中，我们重点讨论了新闻编辑室分工的成本削减策略在通才简介和优秀记者之间的差异以及正式员工和自由职业者之间的差异方面的影响。2013 年和 2018 年对比利时记者的大规模代表性调查显示，尽管预计这些记者的报道次数会更多，但被拍记者的数量一直保持稳定。我们还注意到自雇记者的急剧增加。享有盛誉的政治节拍似乎受益于新闻编辑室的受保护职位，并且主要由工资记者组成。其他节拍也面临压力，最重要的是区域节拍（在 5 年内有所减少）和生活方式节拍。后一类记者主要是自由职业者，他们报告说，他们对商业和非商业压力的感知程度较低。调查结果引起了人们对削减成本策略的负面影响的担忧，包括趋向于更同质的新闻制作和公关对新闻业的影响越来越大。