Palestinian Freelance Journalists - self-censorship, customers and role in society

摘要

Title: Palestinian freelance journalists - self-censorship, customers and role in societyNumber of pages: 67Authors: Linnea Fridh and Jens WingrenMentor: Gabriella SandstigCourse: Bachelor thesis, Journalism studiesPeriod: Spring 2015University: Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) University of GothenburgPurpose/ Aim: The aim of the study is to map and analyse the working conditions, possibilities andlimitations of Palestinian freelance journalists..Main results: By analysing the answers of our respondents we have concluded that the main possibilitywith the working conditions of Palestinian freelance journalists is their flexibility. As long as they arefinancially safe (for example from working another job) they can be more straightforward anduncompromising in their journalism. Freelance journalists are however limited by the financial scarcity of the Palestinian media that don’t pay them enough and offer lacking support. Feeling excluded from theunion is also something that specifically affects the freelance journalists and might make them feel morevulnerable. There is therefore a slight paradox inherent in the situation of the Palestinian freelancer: theyhave the opportunity to do good and critical journalism, but only if they can support themselves financially in some other way.Another finding of this study is that freelance journalists may alter their implications of professional ideals such as objectivity and neutrality when they work with foreign news desks. Working with this kind of customers also provides a way of expressing oneself with less fear of repercussions from differing factors in Palestinian society that might want to silence dissent.