They consider themselves to be the “
big ones forgotten
” of the aid plans dedicated to the cultural sector.
Independent press officers specializing in music and culture demand "
effective recognition of [their] profession
".
Affected by the health crisis, those who describe themselves as "
the spokespersons of the sector
" united by creating their union, APRES (Press Attachés, Mutual Aid Network and Union).
This structure was created in the context of the health crisis, which dealt "
a terrible and unprecedented blow to the entire music industry
".
The challenge for these press
officers
is to "
continue to exercise [their] rare and precious profession
", while the reconfinement has put the cultural sector on hold.
These professionals believe that the health crisis has had and will have "
dramatic consequences on the entire sector
", and could well make them "
disappear
".
Among the sectors most affected, they cite "
the performing arts
" and "
the recording industry
", while "
the music industry is already weakened
".
Read also: Covid-19: the cultural blues
Most self-employed, paid in fees, press attachés do not have the status of intermittent and are not eligible for partial unemployment.
Through APRES, these professionals are therefore calling for “
concrete support from institutions
” and “
fair consideration of [their] contribution to artistic creation
”.
Several claims
In a column published on their website, the members of APRES detail their demands.
Among them, "
the extension of the Solidarity Fund to [their] specific activity (...) with retroactivity to the months of July, August, September and October 2020, and its extension until the end of the health crisis
" .
Read also: Towards a National Music Center
They also call for "
the creation of assistance specific to [their] profession
".
Another demand, "
the recognition of the profession (...) by the National Music Center
".
Finally, APRES demands "
the right to tax credit for [their] clients (phonographic and performance producers, labels, publishers, etc.)
".
"
In this health crisis which worries and weakens the social body, our role is necessary as well as that of each actor in the [cultural] sector
", write the members of the union.
Their initiative follows that of the cinema press officers, who in March created the Clap association (free circle of cinema press officers).
The structure now has about sixty members, the majority of the players in the field.