According to a recent survey published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, UK journalists are getting older, younger journalists are far more likely to be female and older journalists (over 50) are mainly men.
This survey covered 1,130 UK journalists and was carried out between September and November 2023 – eight years after the last comparative study.
In 2015, the survey showed that 54% self-identified with the political left, a figure which has since risen to 77%. The profession has become “less attractive to Generation Z and millennials” (currently those aged between approximately 18 and 44). As well, the average age of a UK journalist is 45 which is three years older than the median for the working age population, but “in line with other academic professions”.
The report said: “This is in contrast to the global average – where journalists’ median age is below 40, and often lower than the median age of the working population – but is in line with the US and the rest of Europe, where a lack of growth in the industry might explain the prevalence of older journalists.”
Gender and ethnic diversity
It also flagged that women over 50 were “markedly underrepresented” in the profession. Overall, 50% of journalist respondents were women, but this fell to 36% among the over-50s. In addition, two-thirds of newer journalists with up to five years of work experience were women, but men made up 66% of journalists with more than 30 years of experience.
Ethnic minority journalists were most likely to be aged 30 to 39 (some 32% of their total fall in that age category, compared to 22% of white journalists). When it came to those aged over 50, 40% of white journalists fall into this category versus 21% of ethnic minority people.
Overall, white journalists make up 90% of the industry and are over-represented compared to the UK population (82% according to the 2021/22 Census). Some 3% of journalists were from an Asian or Asian British background, compared to 9% of the population and 1% of journalists were from Black, Black British, Caribbean or African backgrounds, compared to 4% of the population.
Rise of freelancing, decline of contracts
In 2015, 74% of journalists reported being on permanent contracts. This has since dropped to 65% reflecting what the report describes as a “broader shift in the media industry towards more flexible, yet often precarious, employment arrangements”. Male journalists were more likely to be on permanent contracts.
Meanwhile, the proportion of freelance journalists has risen from 17% to 28%. However, the survey may actually underreport part-time, and therefore freelance and temporary contract workers, due to limitations in its methodology.
The report noted that use of freelancers allows media organisations to scale their operations quickly and cost-effectively, but it places significant burdens on journalists in terms of benefits such as pensions.
“Economic pressures and organisational dynamics have undoubtedly contributed towards this shift, but other influences, such as personal choices or broader societal changes, may also be contributing to this trend”, the report added.
Growth of union membership
There has also been a welcome growth in union membership by journalists between 2015 and 2023. This rise in freelance working has led to increases in union membership. Just over half (52%) of journalists in 2023 said they belonged to a union, rising from 44% in 2015.
Peta Steel, former NUJ organiser in the freelance sector, explained: “It’s been evident for some time that it’s cheaper for media managements to employ freelancers instead of using full time staff either on contract, shift work or for individual pieces”. This eliminates “costs for offices, pensions or holidays”.
He further states that “the pandemic, growth of technology, increase in social media, changes which include outlets going online, as well as the closure of local papers, magazines and agencies have solidified the practice.
“With fewer places to sell material to, older journalists with more experience are best equipped to survive”. This is because “they have learnt how to adapt to the different types of work, what to demand to keep their operations going, and how to cover their outgoings and lifestyles”.
Indeed, “many of the older freelancers may also have originally been on staff before becoming freelancers”. The result of this is that they “are also more likely to have had contact with the union and realise what extra back up they can get.”
A version of this article was first published in Media North: Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (North). For more from Media North, and to subscribe to their newsletter, visit their website.
