This topic is particularly relevant as it echoes that of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which celebrates its centenary this year by considering “The future of work”.
But is the future bright in digital media? According to the latest news, doubts are beginning to surface. Financial difficulties including falling advertising revenue and staff cuts are no longer restricted to the “old” print media. Since the beginning of the year, the global group BuzzFeed has already fired over 200 journalists; HuffPost sacked 10% of its editorial board (about 20 media professionals) while counter-culture magazine Vice dismissed 250 staff!
Increasingly today, unions are fighting to establish themselves in online editorial boards and workplaces - they have a crucial role to play in order to safeguard the future of journalism.
Anthony Bellanger
IFJ General secretary.