Informality of Media Freelancers in Indonesia: Motives and Prospects

Abstract

This article presents our analysis of the nature of informality of media freelancers and its implications to creative workers. Employing a series of 15 interviews, we offer an interpretive understanding through the subjective experience of the Indonesian media freelancers. Accordingly, we analyse the participants’ responses in four dimensions of informality: personal, professional, technological and social. This analysis brings up a discussion about the flexibility, challenges and opportunities of working as a media freelancer. Specifically, three themes emerged from our discussion: motivations of doing freelance, managing ‘uncertainty’ through creativity and self-management, and the importance of social–technological infrastructure. Considering the demographic bonus in Indonesia, we suggest a future research agenda towards the potentials of informality of media freelancers. This future direction would shed light on whether the informality, on the one hand, can lead to the casualization of work, or, on the other hand, can lead to the idea of flexibility and self-management of media freelancers.

Media Freelancers and Platforms: How Beginner and Experienced Media Freelancers Perceive Online Platforms

“…They have also provided greater access to job opportunities, contributing to social mobility by allowing freelancers to secure work independently of their location, background, or industry connections. Moreover, online platforms have legitimised freelance work, shifting the perception of freelancers from those who perform casual tasks to professionals who are engaged in meaningful employment (Luik & Aritonang, 2021). A platform, serving as an intermediary between the seller/worker and buyer/client in creative work, significantly influences their views on the platform as a viable source of work, and ultimately, this shapes the degree to which photographers choose to participate or resist (McDonald, Williams, & Mayes, 2021).…”

“…Lastly, the social dimension explores the connection between the informal nature of media freelancers and social aspects, such as disclosure to the public as a freelancer, constructing a public image, and the availability of other infrastructure for freelancers' interactions. We have also contributed to the discussion on informality by presenting three points of discussion: motivations for engaging in freelance work, managing uncertainty through creativity and self-management, and the social-technological infrastructure (Luik & Aritonang, 2022).…”