Mission Statement

We decided to form a collective because many things, including journalism, are more fun when done together. However, the decision to work collectively also has economic and political reasons. We see that freelance journalists do valuable work and are underpaid for it. Even established quality media outlets pay a per-line rate that no one can live on. As freelance journalists, we bring years of experience, professional expertise, and journalistic skills, and some of us have spent years at university – in most other jobs, these are good prerequisites for a decent income.

Unfortunately, many media outlets, or rather their owners and politicians, believe that independent journalism is a hobby fueled by idealism and that a few hundred euros should suffice for several weeks of research. Our landlords, in particular, see things differently. We believe that good journalism requires good and, above all, fair working conditions.

 

In Austria, freelance journalists are also considered "new self-employed." They are not adequately represented by either a trade union or the Chamber of Commerce. Collective agreements and minimum fees have, at best, symbolic value for us.

We believe freelance journalists deserve more! Instead of working against each other, constantly competing with each other, and engaging in fee limbo, we have decided to join forces.

As a collective, we work together, share resources, conduct joint research, celebrate successful projects, and support each other when things don't go so well. Instead of undercutting each other, we help each other negotiate fees and fight for better working conditions!

In this spirit, we would also like to encourage other freelance journalists to follow our example: Form alliances!