Should journalists work for free?

Should journalists work without being paid? It's an issue that's been touched on many times before, but that's still relevant today when many interns and aspiring journalists are willing to offer free labor (or feel like they must) just to get a foot in the door.

The BBC College of Production recently organized a Twitter chat around the topic, with BBC Academy's Simon Wright taking questions about the pros and cons of working to get a leg up in an increasingly competitive industry.

"Having a place where you can build experience and be supported is really important. Otherwise it will be a waste of your good will and enthusiasm, and your employer’s time," Wright tweeted. "Above all it’s a learning activity – you shouldn't be there to fill a ‘real’ job role on the cheap."

Wright's cautionary advice rings true when many interns and volunteers have to choose for themselves where to draw the line between gaining a valuable experience and allowing news outlets to take advantage of them.

Sources: Journalism.co.uk, Twitter, BBC

Stanislava Antova and Lea Kaplja