by Paolo Samarelli
For some time now the vast majority of the infographics (information with words and images) published in Italian newspapers is anonymous, without the signature of the author or the authors. Often it is visual information related to significant events, made understandable at a glance; often it has a bulk in the newspaper page or during a video even higher than the length of the article to which they refer.
Strenuous paths
Media industry crisis and latest events
The signature strike
Art directors
Neglected signatures and precariousness
Ostia assault
I don’t think that the endemic precariousness in the world of journalism can be annihilated, as I do not think that the situation of visual journalists in the editorial office can change in the short term. These are two thorns that converge in the same problem. Nobody in the administrative and journalist board of directors in media companies has a real interest in resolving these anomalies. The editorial assembly, as stated, is a direct expression of the company and follows a precise mandate. I’m not able to imagine a director willing to investigate about contracts and journalistic positions inside his news agency. It would be considered unsuitable, and I do not see heroes with such autonomy here around. My hope is that it will come back a strong advertising flow that can support newspapers, and that the Italia market will rebalance its advertising that is currently compromised toward TV (about 60%). A growth of regular positions would be needed, and in addition to the commitment from the Journalist labor union, there would also be opportune that some courthouse would rule for advantaging workers who were penalized or discriminated, in order to create favorable precedents. These records aren’t missing at all, but in the current work jurisprudence they occur rarely, and recent laws like the Jobs act do not seem to go in the same direction.