Marsden: Are Bloggers the New Serfs?
Rachel Marsden writes in The Spectator:
The fact that, right now, you’re reading something I wrote is a strong sign that the publication in question has its act together. That is, it has enough of an audience due to its unique, thoughtful and entertaining content to be able to properly compensate those who create it. As obvious as that sounds, it’s becoming increasingly rare, which is why so much of today’s media is crap.
As a media professional, I refuse to give it away, whether it’s an article or a broadcast analysis. But you’d be surprised how many outlets — particularly in the ‘digital age’ — expect creators to put out for free. And worse, how many media professionals are keen to be exploited in exchange for their friends being able to point to them in the newspaper or on the TV. A real media professional gets over the whole public aspect of the work rather quickly. Our job just happens to be executed in front of an audience, but the idea of doing it strictly for that reason — or worse, foregoing a pay cheque because people can see us while we work — wears thin quickly. At least it does for those of us without personality disorders, mental illness, or trust funds, and who consider productivity-for-attention an illegitimate exchange in a world where rent isn’t free.
If I asked my dentist to fix my teeth for free in exchange for having the procedure broadcast on TV or the internet, chances are he’d tell me to shove off. If he did agree, I’d probably think twice about his professionalism. If a plastic surgeon agreed, I’d probably have to brace myself and expect to emerge looking like Donald Duck.
The same holds true for media professionals willing to work for free — even when they’re asked increasingly often to do so. The ones who know their worth is zero will work for nothing. The internet has only been around for a couple of decades now, and traditional media has had more than ample time to figure out how to adapt to a new business model. But why bother paying people when the traditional-to-digital transition has professionals so accustomed to not being paid? ...
