Title: Palestinian freelance journalists - self-censorship, customers and role in society
Number of pages: 67
Authors: Linnea Fridh and Jens Wingren
Mentor: Gabriella Sandstig
Course: Bachelor thesis, Journalism studies
Period: Spring 2015
University: Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) University of Gothenburg
Purpose/ Aim: The aim of the study is to map and analyse the working conditions, possibilities and
limitations of Palestinian freelance journalists..
Main results: By analysing the answers of our respondents we have concluded that the main possibility
with the working conditions of Palestinian freelance journalists is their flexibility. As long as they are
financially safe (for example from working another job) they can be more straightforward and
uncompromising 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 the
union is also something that specifically affects the freelance journalists and might make them feel more
vulnerable. There is therefore a slight paradox inherent in the situation of the Palestinian freelancer: they
have 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
