Junge Journalistinnen & Journalisten Schweiz (JJS) is a non-profit organization that supports early-career journalists and students alike through networking events and workshops.
The organization – based in Zürich and an observing member of the European Youth Press – offers membership to individuals under 30-years-old from across Switzerland. Currently, there are 400 members.
JJS was established in 1998 under the name “Schweizer Vereinigung der Jugendpresse” and underwent several name changes. In 2019, the organization settled on what they’re known as today: Junge Journalistinnen & Journalisten Schweiz.
What JJS offers
JJS provides a space for journalists to learn different skills and bring up any doubts they have about the profession. It’s important for early-career journalists to know what a fair salary is, or where to look for an internship or how to start as a freelancer, board member Mateo Landolt told Orange Magazine.
JJS provides a space for journalists to learn different skills and bring up any doubts they have about the profession. It’s important for early-career journalists to know what a fair salary is, or where to look for an internship or how to start as a freelancer, board member Mateo Landolt told Orange Magazine.
JJS has ten board members who hold different leadership positions and organize events for their members – these events are funded through membership fees and government subsidies. Board members are volunteers who are elected annually by members of JJS. The elected board is responsible for appointing a secretary. The board’s next annual general meeting will take place on March 2, 2024.
How JJS connects and supports young journalists
The board ranges from professional journalists to freelancers to students pursuing degrees in media, political science or gender studies.
JJS hosts an interactive series where experienced journalists and media researchers are invited to talk about their work. Journalists walk members through their journalistic process for a specific assignment, like an investigative piece, and open the floor up for discussion and questions.
Co-president Gina Bachmann started out as a member who attended these events.
“I shortly noticed it gave me a lot of hope to interact with other young journalists because obviously, journalism is a tough business,” she said. “It gave me hope that we can also change the culture in journalism. As a young woman, you are always a minority in most teams. I was doubting if I would ever find my place, but then I saw that a lot of young people are trying to do the same thing and I felt more inspired to do it for myself.”
JJS also organizes trips to newsrooms and television stations across Switzerland and Europe. Visits include a trip to Schaffhauser AZ – a more than 100-year-old newspaper in Schaffhausen – or attend Swiss Radio Day in August, where members can participate in discussions and workshops centered around the radio industry.
Members also get the chance to travel to the European Parliament in Brussels to hear from journalists who cover the European Union and its politics.
With that said
Members can also attend informal networking events and chat over a beer.
All events can be found on their website.
Landolt said the organization looks to give young journalists a voice while helping them navigate through the profession.
“The conditions for young journalists are very difficult these times. If you want to change that, it makes sense to not do that alone,” said Bachman.
