Charity Journalism.
From the butcher, to the baker to the candlestick maker, and even to the baristas at Starbucks, every worker—whether fulfilling a job or a career—knows that every drop of sweat has its price. If you work, you want payment for that work. That’s just common sense.
But none of us came into the journalism field for the money. No writer becomes a writer—whether in fiction, journalism, or poetry—expecting lifestyles of the rich and famous. But you know, minimum wage would suffice.
As college students, we’re expected to always work for free for the sake of “getting clips.” But you know, that student put in just as much work as the professional reporter. Internships are getting their stipend budget cut so college students who are already springing for gas are now forced to not even enjoy the few paltry pennies that might’ve been tossed their way. At least spring for lunch, cheapskates.
I’ve already got enough clips. I want to see some cashflow.
And working online doesn’t see the dolla dollas swimming my way either. Many sites either pay nothing (hello, Beachwood) or pay very little. If this web media is supposed to be the future of journalism, then what does that say about what the field is becoming? Is reporting going to be on a volunteer-basis? Are we all doomed to take part in charity journalism?
That’s definitely not okay with me, and if I find that the job market is expecting me to work with no pay, I’m snapping my reporter’s pen in half and joining the army of Starbucks baristas. They get BENEFITS.
3 years ago