Journalists lose challenge to law affecting freelancers

A federal appeals court upheld a California law challenged by freelance journalists that limits employers in classifying workers as contractors. The court ruled that the law regulates economic activity without restricting free speech and press. (San Francisco Chronicle, October 6, 2021, by Bob Egelko)

Freelance journalists and photographers were upset when the law took effect for 2020 claiming it would curtail opportunity as employers would not want to shoulder the costs of employing them. The journalists said the law discriminates on the basis of “function or purpose” of speech, allowing some types of freelancers such as marketers and artists but not allowing reporters and photographers. (Courthouse News Service, October 6, 2021, by Dustin Manduffie)

For related FAC coverage, click here and here.