This is how long journalists can wait to get paid

Thank you for your kind words (on top of the shock) regarding the last blog post.

Perhaps I should share some upbeat news after that depressing outlook but instead I've decided to write about another downside to being a freelance journalist: payment on publication.

While most titles abide by the usual payment within 30 days of invoicing rule, some only pay up after your piece has gone to press (and then to add insult to injury, 30 days after). Yes, you may have filed that article on how workers are fighting back against low pay in February 2024 but it might not be until December 2024 when the article sees the light of day that you’re actually paid. I KID YOU NOT.

I won’t name names but you might be surprised by some of the publications that get away with this. I believe the NUJ has put pressure on publications to scrap this while other freelancers have battled against this insidious policy. Maybe I’ll apply the same principles the next time I have to pay a tradesperson. “Well, I know it’s the spring but I’m not going to put those fairy lights you've just fixed up till Christmas so I’ll pay you on December 12.” Sure. Can imagine getting away with that.

You might wonder why I’m still here. Why I’m still bashing out words for tiny amounts. Why I’m still in an industry that has increasing disregard for its workers. Well, I can’t see myself leaving. I could probably earn twice as much in another career but I absolutely adore being a journalist. What an absolute privilege it is to contact almost anyone and have them take time out of their day to talk to you, to share their story or their expertise (bar an A-list celebrity or a company you're investigating, I should add). No, I think I’ll continue. I may be pivoting and shifting things around a little to make sure I can continue to write the kind of stories I want, and while some former colleagues have made exits (and I don’t blame them, I really don’t), for me, I can’t imagine doing anything else.