Media Industry Trends
An analysis of the changing patterns of the media industry
Over the years, the workforce has evolved tremendously, leading to the emergence of a variety of employment classifications. This ranges from a permanent employment status, yearly contract, to a freelance position which has been on the rise especially in the media industry. In the fast-paced media industry, the expectations required of a media specialist have evolved rapidly in order to cater to the changing needs of the consumers technological advancements. Mark Deuze, a media studies researcher had analysed that the Internet had fuelled the transformation of this trade into one where insecurity is normal. Current trend shows employees more inclined towards hiring short-term contractors instead of an in-house communications specialist. This could be due to reasons such as the cutting down of company’s resources, or the availability of crowdsourcing platforms, where services are offered at a cheaper price. This new workstyle offers plentiful of opportunities for one to excel and upgrade themselves. Because of the numerous short-term assignment given to these independent workers, the experience they gained in each project helps to diversify their proficiency in a shorter period as compared to a worker who devote all their time into a single project. This draws the workforce population into the freelancing industry despites its precarious nature.
In addition, the flexible schedule that the job offers also allows these independent workers who are unable to commit to an office routine to build their career while earning an income. This meets the needs of those in the society who are pressed for time, or may have personal commitments restricting them from getting a stable job. This workstyle however, may not be ideal for all due to its competitive nature. It requires one to constantly build on their network to grow their business, reputation and portfolio. In addition, there is also a need to familiarize with legal laws to protect themselves from being exploited by clients, a common issue raised among freelancers. The prevalence of this workstyle ultimately urged the Singapore government to implement actions in safeguarding the welfare of these self-employed workers. With the availability of technology and the rising popularity of freelance as an employment status, more people are sharing the troubles they encountered online forming communities. These groups share their expertise on how to counter these problems, by offering resources such as a tutorial guide to a software, methods to approaching a client, and contract drafting. Regardless of the time period, media practitioners should be well versed in the requirements of the job they desire in order to survive in the industry.
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