FNSI, journalists’ strike: ‘The future of journalism depends on a new contract’

Milan, 15 April (LaPresse) – “Italian journalists are going on strike” tomorrow “for the third time”. This was stated by the National Federation of the Italian Press in a press release. ‘We do not do this lightly, but we believe it is necessary to inform readers, society and politicians of what is happening in our sector, which is as fundamental to democracy as it is fragile,’ the federation continues. “The contract signed with Fieg publishers to regulate the work of salaried journalists expired 10 years ago, years in which publishers have benefited from public aid, whilst our salaries have been eroded by inflation. There are no rules governing the use of artificial intelligence or fair financial recognition for the authors of content supplied to Over-the-Top platforms,‘ explains the FNSI, adding that ’the situation is even worse for the thousands of freelance and VAT-registered colleagues who have been waiting for years for fair remuneration to be determined and who, for this reason, have incomes below the poverty line”. ‘Publishers have secured labour cost cuts by resorting to contractual dumping practices through the excessive use of precarious work. Through our work and our daily sacrifices, we are the majority shareholders of many publishing companies,’ the union emphasises. For the National Federation of the Italian Press, “the dignity and future of the media depend on the renewal of the collective agreement, the recovery of these include contract renewals, wage recovery and the defence of rights – which are not privileges, but the means by which we can resist threats, both inside and outside the newsrooms. The dignity of our work has a significant impact on the quality of the information that reaches you, the public. “This is why we also believe that the sector must be funded more and better, that funding must not lead to the destruction and homogenisation of information, but must generate revenue for publications. We journalists are ready to discuss this and engage in dialogue. But what about the publishers?”, concludes the FNSI.