Thoughts from a freelancer

But is the expansion good news for the freelance? In the shorterm, I would say no. With the modest fees meted out on a "piecework" basis, the freelance cameraperson or video journalist relies on the sell and sell again principle. Only a few years ago, a "longcut" for Newsnight or Channel Four News could be extended further for the German market and then cut back to cater for the American taste for soundbites and instant visual gratification. But more and more broadcasters are linking up with the major satellite consortia who in turn want to buy the entire programme - i.e. the "total package buy out." It is becoming increasingly rare for a freelancer to be able to fix separate deals with separate national broadcasters

Added to that, we have seen huge changes in financing news since the days when news editors employed by the American networks would yell down the satphone to their team of news producers and reporters in the field, "I don't want you telling me you've lost a story because you weren't prepared to spend the money" (This is true p I heard it once a's a "poor relation" ITN reporter on location in Alaska, surrounded by a fleet of US network-hired helicopters and speedboats.) As we all know, those days are over. The American networks are no longer big spenders. The BBC has cut its cash budget for news gathering by 10% and even more draconian cuts are to come. The first casualty has been the commissioning of freelances. The salaried staff are warned that they must work harder if they are to justify being kept on the payroll

So are we witnessing the end of the era of the brave and innovative freelance, like Rory Peck? I would say to newsroom managers that this would be a policy with shorterm benefits, if any at all. We are going to see more stations and satellite services open in the next few decades and, starting from scratch, they will be more inclined to employ freelances than staff on salaries and with the burden of future pensions. It is likely to become a much more freelance led market. Better ditch for once and for all the inherent suspicion and sense of superiority found among so many of the established broadcasters towards the freelance. "Freelance is Rubbish" is a mantra I have heard in too many newsrooms. Better work with the freelancers than against them.

And it is not simply because, to the accountants, freelancers are cheap and cheerful. Freelancers have the hard earned reputation of being prepared to take more risks and come up with the more daring story ideas. The "unattached" nature of the freelance can have huge benefits to commissioning editors wary of offending Governments or resident correspondents. On several occasions, I have been sent off with the words, "If you get into trouble, for God's sake don't say you've been commissioned by us!"

The adage in the TV News business that you are "only as good as your last story" has an especially pertinent ring for the freelance. His or her next commission is dependent on the outcome of the current assignment. There is no "rest period" or excuses like "having a difficult time at home" to give the freelancers the reprieve claimed by their salaried colleagues. The programmes that commission should be far more inclined to give credit where credit is due. Too often we hear how the camerawork, the research and sometimes even the reporting has been done by a freelance crew or perhaps alone by a video journalist only to be re-voiced and fronted by the station's favourite star. This is not a winge but a plea not to kill off the freelancers during this time of turmoil in the industry, to pay them fairly and to give credit where credit is due. And then there are issues like insurance cover, speedy evacuation and compensation if things go wrong. All these should be considered seriously by those who dip into the freelance market. But that, I believe, is what the Rory Peck Trust is about and why so many of us believe it should get support from everyone in the industry.