The original article discusses how journalism school students are taking on beats for free that professional reporters once filled.
The article makes the point that newspapers cannot afford to fill these beats and people really do not have interest in a lot of them.
There is nothing unethical about a student journalist covering a beat for free. A student journalist who has an unpaid internship with a newspaper may write articles for free.
It is widely known that the newspaper industry and print industries are hurting. If students can write articles for free and help a newspaper and in turn get clips for their resume, then they should.
As a journalism student, I would not see anything unethical about writing for a print or online media for free. It is gaining experience, which in the journalism industry is invaluable.
The Web site Oakland North is completely dedicated to publishing news about an otherwise ignore neighborhood in California. If newspapers cannot afford to cover them, and would not if they could afford to then students should be allowed to take the reigns.
As an editor or reporter, I could see why this would be troubling.
As a reporter, I would see student journalists as scabs.
Big newspapers do not need to use seasoned veterans, who ask for adequate wages, to write stories if they can get the stories written for little or nothing. However, professional reporters have earned their wages through years of experience.
Reporters are watching themselves be replaced by younger reporters with little to no experience in an industry that has always been based on experience and building a reputation.
As an editor, I would see student journalists as making my job harder.
Editing is difficult enough when working with experienced journalists.
A student journalist may have little to no experience in news writing. The editors will have to work harder without expecting a pay increase for their work.
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