Shrinking editorial staff and reorganizations, but at the same time more training for journalists. Journalism students only notice after completing their studies, when they start applying for jobs, how small their chances of finding a suitable job are. It is not a recent development. Due to declining circulation of newspapers and magazines, but also due to the crises that are hitting the advertising market hard, the situation seems to be worsening rather than improving. Is there still a future in journalism? Yes, is my answer to this question, but only for a small group.
Newspapers
Many editorial positions have disappeared in recent years and this will only increase further. Some people think that in thirty years the newspaper will no longer exist, or that at least the number of titles will be limited to perhaps three players.
That’s because revenues are declining.
Both the number of subscriptions and the circulation for single sales are decreasing. Young people read less and less of a paid newspaper, because they collect their news in other ways. For example, by reading free newspapers or via the internet or mobile phone. Income from advertisements is also decreasing because fewer people will see the advertisement, but mainly because of the economic crises that the whole world has been suffering from for a few years. This crisis causes people to look more critically at their expenditure, not only consumers but also advertisers.
De Volkskrant itself has indicated that ten years ago the newspaper generated 60 percent of its income from advertisements, now that figure is 30 percent. That was reason for de Volkskrant to start a webshop.
But less income can also mean cutbacks to remain profitable. This can lead to mergers, takeovers or reorganizations. In all cases, this often means cutting jobs, including in the editorial office.
Magazines
The same story, the lack of income, of course also applies to magazines. Several titles did not make it. This applies to new titles, such as Gala, but also older ones such as Yes and Fancy.
Free newspapers and websites
The aforementioned free newspapers are also having a hard time. It is not without reason that three newspapers are still alive out of the four that appeared at one time. That’s because free newspapers, like free news websites, only get their income from advertisements. But by keeping editorial teams small, it can still result in a profitable title. This especially applies to the media that are widely read, because they are the most interesting for advertisers.
ANP
Because a smaller editorial team has to fill a newspaper or website, news agencies are often called in for help. There are two Dutch news agencies: ANP and Novum, where many journalists work. They supply items that can be taken over directly, for a fee. But the latter can also be a way for an editor to save money. So the future of a journalist is not guaranteed in this branch either.
Radio and television
In this article I focus on written media, because that is what I have the most knowledge of. But advertisers are also the most important source of income for news on radio and television. However, the effects of the crisis have the least impact on the television advertising market. It is expensive to broadcast advertising, but because moving images are important, companies are willing to continue to pay for it. The only alternative is to place banners on the internet or purchase advertising space to play online videos.
Vacancies
There are few vacancies for journalists. Jobs are often filled by an intern or freelancer. After all, they have worked for the medium before. If a vacancy is posted, hundreds of journalists may respond. Also the journalists who have worked for a magazine or newspaper for years. Then try to stand out when you are still at the beginning of your career.
Freelance
Freelance work can be a solution to earn a good income as a journalist without a permanent job. The problem is getting in somewhere. The larger your network, the easier it is to get assignments. But realize that only some freelancers can make a living from journalistic assignments alone. Journalism work is often combined with other writing jobs, such as writing commercial texts.
Journalism
The impending retirement of baby boomers may work to the advantage of the younger generation. But since more and more rather than fewer journalists are being trained, that is questionable. Ten years ago there were four journalism courses. In addition to all other studies with which you can also work as a journalist. The major newspapers sometimes prefer to hire academics with an economist or legal education rather than someone with a college degree in journalism.
Course
In the past ten years, more ways have been added to pursue a journalism education. For example, the MIM, Institute for Media and Information Management, which offers five courses, at least two of which are specifically aimed at journalism. Master’s degree courses in journalism have also been added, meaning that someone with another education at bachelor’s level can also add a journalism degree to their CV in sometimes a year.
In short: more qualified people, fewer jobs.
Journalist
I don’t believe that newspapers and magazines will disappear, but the number will decrease. I therefore think that it is becoming increasingly difficult to generate an income from journalistic work for approximately 45 years.
I studied journalism. It wasn’t until after graduation that I found out how difficult it is to find a job. I am one of the few in my class who has a journalistic position. Many classmates have ended up in communications.
I love my profession and I would not have chosen another study if I knew what I know now. But if I had a child who had to make his choice of study, I would advise choosing a study other than journalism.