Evaluation The 2023 Media Landscape Many also suggested that they felt Report found 84% of journalists do that with their skills they would be of pay at least an hour or two of unpaid better paid in other industries, or that work each week. their pay does not re昀氀ect the number of extra hours they are expected to Respondents to the latest survey work. Many also said that they did not were asked to evaluate how fairly they think their pay accurately re昀氀ected were paid in their work. Almost half the skills and responsibilities their (47%) believed they were somewhat role required. underpaid. Thirty percent said they were paid fairly, while 19% said they Several said they are not paid enough were grossly underpaid. Less than 2% or barely paid enough to cover rent of respondents said they thought they and other basic living expenses. were overpaid. Gender did not appear to have a Sixty-six percent of respondents felt signi昀椀cant impact on respondents’ they were underpaid in 2023. evaluation of their pay, despite signi昀椀cant gender pay differences Many respondents, particularly (see page 29). freelance journalists, pointed out that their rates or wage had not changed Money was the most common much in several years or even ‘greatest challenge’ experienced by decades, despite in昀氀ation. journalists in 2023 (see page 36). Freelance rates have not increased in the decades of work I have done, in fact I am earning less. I work long hours, need to have For the amount of stress, diligence, constant/昀氀exible availability and yet, work hours, time spent honing I struggle to pay rent… If I didn’t love my craft for editorial and legal the work I do 昀椀ercely, it would not be judgement, ability to 昀椀le and respond worth the wages. quickly in an on-air environment without supervision, the fact I have a university degree and almost 10 years in journalism I believe I should be earning more money. Medianet 2024 Australian Media Landscape Report 28