Freelance journalists - please help!

I am working on an assignment for my fourth year of studies, and I need information on freelance journalism please. I am specifically looking for information on whether times were better or tougher during the recession. Also, which media type (print, broadcast, online) was more willing to take on freelancers during this time, and which one was extra difficult in taking on freelancers? What were the main reasons for using/not using freelancers?

Any help with anything mentioned above is greatly appreciated. Thanks!