Today I was interviewed by Gemma Pritchard, the editor of the Inquirer — City University’s independent student paper.
She was preparing a piece of coursework about students being exploited in the journalism workplace. She’s been in touch with various people — including the NUJ — to discuss the issue.
We came to the conclusion that the problem is becoming very serious — and it’ll only get worse.
So I’m now in the process of putting together a site that will allow student journalists to submit their stories about work experience. I will collate the information on a page, just like on AngryJournalist.
The difference, though, will be that students will be able to tell the site where they were working. This will be kept secret — experiences will not publically linked to the places of work, and viewers of the site will not be able to see which publications/media organisations have been named and shamed.
In a few months time, I will publish my findings. Will we see some companies appearing many times? Will certain complaints be exposed as happening to many students? I’m interested to see which patterns emerge.
In the interest of fair play, students will also be able to submit good experiences. The top three publications will be announced as well.
Why am I doing this?
I’ve seen both sides of the coin. I’ve worked for places that have exploited my eagerness to get work and to get noticed. But I’ve also worked for people who have benefitted my career greatly — and in turn I’ve done some good work for them for free.
Both sets should be made public. Students have a right to be able to tell all when it comes to work experience. Let’s be clear — this has gone way beyond making cups of tea — none of us complain about that — it’s about doing work that is, by UK law, illegal.
Problem is, until now, there has been no way of finding out where the problem really lies. A recent NUJ survey found frightening results, but without specifics, how can anything be done? It’s impossible.
Students are too scared to voice their opinions. Upsetting people can cost you your career — no matter how valid your complaint. This has to change.
Watch this space. If you’d like to help, email me.
6 Comments on “Justice for exploited journalism students”
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This blog is written by Dave Lee. I am a technology journalist for the
links for December 2nd through December 4th | Jared Silfies says:
[...] Justice for exploited journalism students | Dave Lee / jBlog - There is a need for journalism students to know how to work for free with the best publications so they can get the most out of their work. [...]
Posted on December 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am.
Notes from a Teacher - Thursday squibs says:
[...] Justice for exploited journalism students. Dave Lee, co-editor of the BBC Internet Blog, is starting a site where British j-students can share there good and bad internship stories in an effort to find out who the best and worse “employers” are. It will be interesting to watch. [...]
Posted on December 5th, 2008 at 3:56 am.
Tomorrow’s News, Tomorrow’s Journalists » Blog Archive » Justice for exploited journalism students says:
[...] exploited journalism students December 5th, 2008 Posted by davelee in Any other business This post originally appeared on Dave Lee’s blog on December 4 [...]
Posted on December 5th, 2008 at 2:25 pm.
Through the worries of exploitation, positivity shines | Dave Lee / jBlog says:
[...] Thursday I wrote a post about exploited journalism students. There are loads of them. I vowed to make a website so [...]
Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 10:02 am.
Six of the best... student portfolio sites | Journalism and Public Relations at the University of Sunderland says:
[...] Dave Lee (now BBC Internet editor, having just graduated) Dave ran his blog all the way through his three year journalism degree, on the subject of… journalism. Question for you: do you have enough to say to run a regularly updated blog on the defined subject of your choice? [...]
Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 10:32 am.
Why getting good work experience isn’t the same as working for free « Katie McGonagle says:
[...] only the way most people get their first taste of journalism, but it was Dave Lee’s blogpost on exposing the exploitation of journalism students that really got me thinking about starting my own [...]
Posted on March 4th, 2009 at 1:49 pm.