Over Half of Italy’s Journalists Freelance as AI Use Becomes Near‑Universal, Agcom Report Finds

According to a new report released by Italy’s communications regulator Agcom, more than 50% of journalists in the country work as freelancers and almost all of them rely on artificial intelligence tools in their daily tasks.

The study highlights a growing trend toward precarious employment in the media sector, describing it as a “trap of precariousness” that affects many writers, reporters and correspondents. It also points to the increasing influence of algorithms on news production, noting that journalists must adapt to AI-driven workflows to stay competitive.

Agcom’s findings are based on a survey of Italian newsrooms and independent contributors. The data show that freelance journalists now constitute the majority of the workforce, a shift from traditional staff positions that dominated the industry for decades. The report does not provide exact numbers beyond the “more than half” threshold, but it underscores the scale of the change.

In addition to employment patterns, the regulator examined how AI is being used across the sector. The phrase “almost all” indicates that the adoption rate of AI tools—such as automated writing assistants, content‑generation software and data‑analysis platforms—is close to universal among Italian journalists, whether they are employed by major dailies, regional outlets or work independently.

Implications for the Media Landscape

The Agcom analysis warns that reliance on algorithms may reshape editorial practices, potentially affecting the diversity and independence of news coverage. It calls for clearer guidelines and support mechanisms to ensure that freelance journalists can navigate both the economic uncertainties of gig work and the technical challenges posed by AI.

Next Steps

Agcom plans to monitor the impact of these trends and may propose regulatory measures to protect freelance journalists and promote transparent use of AI in newsrooms. Stakeholders are expected to discuss the findings in upcoming industry forums.