Abstract:

This study, based on semi-structured conversations, concerns freelance journalists that are often neglected or marginalized in journalism research. This study, in Turkey, is a step towards filling the gap in the field of research on freelance journalists who depart from the traditional employer-oriented journalism profession to work on their own account. In the study, the researcher has both taken advantage of the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS) database and established personal contacts with his friend’s environment to reach the journalists to attend the talks. Three main research topics have been taken into account with ten freelance journalists: (1) the professional identity of freelance journalists in Turkey, (2) the advantages and disadvantages of working as freelance journalists in Turkey, (3) the fundamental issues in the field of freelance journalism in Turkey. For the protection of freelance journalist’s professional rights, the elimination of the risk of being deprived of employment and income security and the improvement of working conditions, the government must first initiate and help freelance journalist.

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