Freelance Realities:
Internet rights are not for free

Many of you will recognise these symbols of e-mail netiquette:

:-( sad face
:-) smiley face
;-) wink and smile

The first is often the response by many of our freelance cameramen and women when it comes to recognition by broadcasters of rights to their material on the web. The Rory Peck Trust cannot guarantee smiley faces all round, but we are on our way to achieving at least a wink and a smile. Earlier this year, after our BAFTA evening, we set up an internet rights group to bring together broadcasters, freelancers and rights negotiators. By October, we will have a discussion paper setting out options. Yvonne White, a rights clearance negotiator and business affairs manager, has led the project.

The broadcasters are positioning themselves for the growth in internet services. On their news web sites, they are using material that in the past would only be seen on television. Freelance camera operators have complained to the Trust that they are not being paid any more for this greater exploitation of their work. Broadcasters say that the internet side of their businesses is not big enough yet to merit special payments, webcasting is not yet a very big part of the their business. Their internet services do not make money. But they build the brand, harness new technology and reach new markets.

The Trust has stepped in - a development which has been closely followed in Press Gazette and Broadcast because of its wider implications. Our initial approach is that the freelancers have a very legitimate concern which the whole industry should take seriously and begin addressing. Internet rights are not free. Camera operators are rights holders, and need to have their rights position properly acknowledged.

As freelancers supply the majority of international news footage we see on television, the freelance contribution can be expected to grow with the internet.

The Rory Peck Trust does not have magical powers - but as a forum for debate, it will focus on critical issues for the industry, and make some timely recommendations. The starting point will be an explicit recognition of the freelancer's position, a view on the long-term position, and practical suggestions for the short-term. We would very much welcome your comments as we draw up the discussion paper.

Lucian Hudson, Chairman, The Rory Peck Trust. Write to Lucian at The Trust, or e-mail lucian.hudson@bbc.co.uk

Issue 3
September 1999

• Letter from Paddington
• This is what we're about
• Freelance Realities: Internet Rights are not for free
• Freelance Realities: How the Red Cross can help you
• Albania Diary: by Chantal Abouchar
• The 1999 Rory Peck Awards
• Global Billboard

• Issue 13
• Issue 12
• Issue 11
• Issue 10
• Issue 9
• Issue 8
• Issue 7
• Issue 6
• Issue 5
• Issue 4
• Issue 3
• Issue 2
• Issue 1

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