The media group Bonnier news owns a large number of newspapers, industry magazines and magazines, even outside Sweden's borders and has many freelances attached to it. The criticism of the freelance agreement that the Group produced at the beginning of the year was mainly that the freelance completely loses its copyright to its material, which could be published on Bonnier news all platforms until the 70-year copyright ends. Bonnier news listened to the criticism and promised to improve conditions.

Will be able to publish as long as they want

But in the new agreement that has been drafted a new clause has been added. It points out that the copyright can again accrue to the author after two years, but this only applies if Bonnier news gives his approval. If the media group wishes to retain the material, they will be able to continue publishing it for as long as they want, throughout the media group's business area, without the additional person receiving any additional compensation.

- Economically, it will certainly affect freelances, if nothing else in the long run, because if you have produced materials that are unique and that you can actually live on after this two-year period, then of course Bonnier news will ensure that they continue to hold the rights, says Paulina Holmgren, chair of the Swedish Photographers' Association.

"We buy large quantities of materials"

In an email to the Culture News, Bonnier news comments on the new clause:

“We buy large quantities of materials and the material we want to reserve the right to be exclusive for longer than two years is only a fraction (...) In a few cases the material will be of a kind that we want to be alone in that offer our readers. In these individual cases, we want to reserve the right to be exclusive with just that material (...) We have a close dialogue with our freelancers and we have listened to the criticisms made and adapted the agreement in line with the wishes made. "

"We want Bonnier news to take its responsibility"

But according to Paulina Holmgren, Bonnier news has not been in contact with any trade union when the new agreement has been drawn up. Together with the Journalists' Association, the Swedish cartoonist and the image suppliers' association, the Swedish Photographers' Association joins and urges its members not to sign the agreement.

- What we want now is that Bonnier news takes its responsibility and talks with us professional organizations, negotiates with us and develops a sensible agreement that will work in the market, so that there will be a future for freelancers, she says.