Some group known as the Newspaper Guild is calling for a boycott of the Huffington post.
“Working for free does not benefit workers and undermines quality journalism,” the Guild said in a statement. “Just as we would ask writers to stand fast and not cross a physical picket line, we ask that they honor this electronic picket line.”
Its weird to be on the same side of Adriana Huffington. I assume that people blog to get heard. While some might make a little on it, Bloggers do it because it gives them a voice, any payments they get is just a side issue. The Newspaper Guild finds it unethical to not pay folks one has offered a voice. I don’t see where anyone was was forced to write. The issue seems to be that they don’t like the idea of anyone writing for nothing.
As Cherie Turner, one of the former writers, explained, “Certainly, we all have written for free for the great exposure the Huffington Post can give us, but what’s the cost? Those of us on strike feel it undermines the value of our profession and is unethical, especially in light of great profits by those at the top. We are only asking for a fair share of what we are helping to create. We are also speaking out against real journalism being run side-by-side with advertorial. “
We feel it is unethical to expect trained and qualified professionals to contribute quality content for nothing. It is unethical to cannibalize the investment of other organizations that bear the cost of compensation and other overhead without payment for the usage of their content. It is extremely unethical to not merely blur but eradicate the distinction between the independent and informed voice of news and opinion and the voice of a shill.
Sounds like pure jealousy, Adraina Huffington never claimed to be running a not profit.
