The Role of Organisational Factors and Working Conditions for the Autonomy of Journalists in an Unstable Economy

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article examines which organisational factors and working conditions are more or less significant for developing journalistic professional autonomy under unfavourable economic conditions. The empirical study employs the case of Lithuania, as the autonomy of journalists working in this country is relatively well guaranteed at the system level of the media. However, the economic context in Lithuania has been unfavourable for media organisations in recent years. The analysis is based on data from a representative survey of Lithuanian journalists, in which 302 journalists from all media sectors were interviewed. The study found that a higher position in the editorial, a higher income, longer working hours per week and membership in professional organisations are associated with greater professional freedom. Owners, managers, editors, editorial policy, and, in some cases, advertising decisions and profit expectations are the organisational factors that significantly limit the autonomy of Lithuanian journalists. If we divide the media by sector, into public and private-commercial or national, regional and local, we see apparent differences where the mentioned factors have no influence or are very pronounced. We found no differences in the perception of autonomy between freelance and contract journalists in Lithuania.