Subs at Telegraph Media Group have been “invited” to cover football matches for free on their days off, according to the Sports Journalists’ Association.
The group has been highlighting “horror stories” about freelance sport reporters and photographers having their rates cut.
It follows Press Gazette highlighting a cut in freelance fees across News International.
The SJA says that at the Telegraph: “We hear that subs on the sports desk have been ‘invited’ to work on their days off to cover football matches. This ‘opportunity’ is portrayed as a ‘good career move’. No fee is payable to the staff members beyond basic expenses.”
As someone who has covered the odd football match – such a move seems to shockingly devalue a job, which while being great fun, is also bloody hard work.
I found the toughest part of covering football matches the fact that in real life you have no commentator or action replay to guide you along so have to concentrate incredibly hard to make sure you know what’s going on!
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