Ethics Critique: EC

This article obviously hits a nerve with me as well as many other journalism students, I'm sure. I can see both view points to this issue. On one hand, I think it is great for students to have the opportunity to write for major publications to get practical experience and name recognition. On the other hand, I don't think these students should write for publications as "free laborers." Most universities have their own newspapers where students can gain practical experience for credit hours. Atleast there, we are gaining a grade and hours toward our degrees. I also don't think it seems fair for journalists with more experience to lose jobs to recent graduates simply for the sake of money. If an individual is more qualified for a position, he or she shouldn't get the "boot" because an editor doesn't want to pay the more qualified person more money. If I were an editor, I would want the journalist who is going to bring me the most compelling stories for my readers, no matter how much I had to pay them. Now, I understand there is a budget for publications and such, but I wouldn't take the easy way out and hire a 21-year-old who can't write a decent lead. Also, if I am in a student's position, which I am, I wouldn't want to produce great stories for a publication where I'm not receiving any benefits, but the editor is. I would be honored to write for the New York Times if I were an NYU student, but knowing I only get to write for such an accomplished paper because there were 200 layoffs would be degrading. It's hard not pay attention to news coverage about the decrease of journalism careers, but I think journalists have a passion for what they do, so we're not as indulged in the bad publicity surrounding potential careers. A famous deontologist, Kant, said, "people should always be treated with respect and as ends unto themselves, never as means to an end." I feel as if student journalists are means to an end in the economic/journalism world.