Servicing the media: freelancing, teleworking and ‘enterprising’ careers

This article examines the working lives of people offering services to the media on a freelance basis. Almost all work from home using information and communication technologies but isolation in the home is not the norm as most maintain extensive personal networks in the industry. Nevertheless, popular imagery of the ‘electronic cottage’ and the ‘virtual organisation only superficially capture their experiences. Insecurity and weakness in the market are suggested by histories of redundancy and dependence on single client organisations including former employers.