I’m not one who uses the Daily Show or Stephen Colbert to keep me up-to-date on the news, but it was on the Colbert Report that shows the damage that free reporting – aka “CNN’s iReport” is doing to the jobs of editors and photojournalists in the field – 50 of them are being laid off. When a CNN viewer photographs/videotapes an event and uploads it to the news organization – they are working for free, letting CNN profit off their work and putting Americans out of a job. That momentary elation of “look Ma, my photo/video is on the the news!” has evolved into employees losing their jobs. Free reporting is obviously not a good idea.
If I’m ever in a position to photograph a newsworthy event, I will be paid for my services. I don’t work for free.
Click on Colbert Report – CNN iReporter to take you to the video.
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This is so refreshing to hear more photographers saying this. I don’t work for free, graphic artists who use photos don’t work for free, advertising companies that hire graphic artists to use photos don’t work for free. Why should photographers (amateur or professional) work for free?
I’m so sick of stupid people with cameras getting an ego boost by working for “photo credit” or for nothing at all just so they can say, hey! Look! My photo! These idiots are of the same diminished mental capacity as the people who stand out in the cold during Good Morning America broadcasts so they can be caught on camera during the show.
Idiots!
Never, never, never, never, ever work for free. No one else does.
If you’re on facebook, logo onto my facebook page (the link is on my blog page). I added a link today to a Harlan Ellison (writer) youtube video getting angry for the reason you just stated.