Wanted: Journalist Willing to Work Without Expecting Payment

If for some the title of this post may sound too ironic or even unreal, I’m ready to show, thanks to a series of ads extracted from the web, how unfortunately these messages are true. Sadly true.

JOURNALISTS FOR FREE

Looking for online journalists. This is a constant theme in job ads targeting journalists. In some cases, they (we) are offered a reward that consists of the chance to see shows for free (for example, industry magazines). In the best cases, journalists will be recognized for the two-year period that is valid for registration to the Register of Journalists. However, what is not said is that a “conditio sine qua non” for applying for entry to the Register of Journalists, publicist list, is that the publisher must have paid for your work. If you are not paid (as most of the selected ads say), you are not eligible for this. Furthermore, in many ads they are looking for journalists where the reward is, in fact, registration to the Register of Journalists. But if you are already a journalist (a title reserved only for those registered with the Professional Order) why is the “reward” offered the registration to the Register you’re supposed to already be listed in?

Looking for web editors for a single-topic football websiteLooking for web editors for a single-topic website dedicated to the world of football in general.
Selected people will be responsible for the daily posting of news related to the world of football.
The site already has a small user base, but the main goal is to enter Google News and greatly increase this base.
Pay is subject to the site’s inclusion in the GN database: entering Google’s news aggregator will also lead to the site being registered as a newspaper in court. Contributors may thus become freelance journalists, following the entire process.

2) Journalist/article writer/blogger
Bologna
Looking for writers
The voice of information is a new web journalism portal characterized by its apolitical, irreverent, and independent nature. The editorial team approaches this project with enthusiasm, hoping to build something innovative and give voice to online contributors.
We cannot offer payment.
Looking for collaborators for the following sections: news, politics, foreign affairs, with these qualifications:
– excellent knowledge of Italian
– excellent expository skills
– use of Word and internet
Collaboration will take place mostly from home, except occasional editorial meetings.

3) Aspiring Journalists
Offering an opportunity to young journalists or university students who want to begin the profession, to write for a real editorial staff and a real online weekly. FOR FREE

4) Percentage of advertising contracts
Centro Studi XX SEEKS EDITOR
Looking for freelance journalists for a new online editorial project. Preferable experience in the economic/financial sector. Collaboration is initially unpaid, with possible future compensation tied to the project’s development. Please specify mobile number, work experience, and email address.

5) Web Content Editors
Looking for freelance journalists (preferably registered with ODG) to collaborate on a new online editorial project.
Preferable experience managing CMS in sports (football) is required. Collaboration is initially unpaid, with future possibilities of payment tied to the project’s growth.

6) Editor-in-Chief
Cultural Association seeks young freelance journalist registered in the Journalists Register, to take on, unpaid, the role of editor-in-chief for a free press newspaper, supported by a qualified and ambitious team.

7) Aspiring journalists for new theatre magazine
Nationwide search for aspiring journalists who want to start collaborating with a new online publication focused on contemporary theater (including dance-theater).
The site launch is expected mid March/April.
Editors will be selected in all provinces and the work will mainly be online. No travel is required.
Assignments will include writing reviews/profiles of shows or occasionally conducting interviews. No payment, but the chance to frequently attend shows for free.
Please send your CV and a brief motivation letter. No expiration date for this ad.

8) Journalists for TV Broadcaster
TV Broadcaster seeks journalists and/or journalism enthusiasts (graduates in communication sciences) who want to join the Newsroom.
Opportunity offered to be part of a dynamic, young project with good prospects and to be in contact with professionals from whom you can learn the secrets of this work.
Looking for people with excellent communication skills, good appearance, and who want to challenge themselves with an important experience.
The collaboration is initially unpaid, but after a 24-month period, you may qualify for registration with the Journalists Register under the publicist list.
Interested men and women are invited to send a CV including express authorization for the processing of personal data (D.Leg.196/2003)…

9) Journalist
Sports weekly in the Rome area seeks collaborators to expand its newsroom. Availability required for a couple of evenings a week, to be chosen between Monday and Friday. Properly registered publication, unpaid collaboration valid for registration to the Register of Journalists. Possible to create actual TV reports, properly broadcast online. Submit your application and CV to xxxx

10) Journalist
Sent by XXXX – Independent Daily in Rome
6-month unpaid internship, work from home, for an online journal officially registered. Certificate of internship provided with opportunities for inclusion in training programs.
Send your CV.

11) Young freelance journalist for ambitious editorial project
Palermo
About us
Our newly established company is based on a solid entrepreneurial and journalistic background. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with an expert team—we are designing an ambitious online editorial project in the Tourism and Travel sector.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking a young writer to produce high-quality editorial content related to tourism and travel, who can meet set deadlines and deliverables. Independent, efficient, and able to develop content independently as well.
Responsibilities
Create detailed articles about your area, including updated information on hotels, restaurants, itineraries, activities, etc., using various sources. All following the journalistic style and approach of the project.
Write first-person articles including personal information and opinions about the topics (e.g., history, shopping, culture, etc.). Strong organizational skills to manage content and informational materials is very important. Great emphasis will be given to the ability to adapt one’s writing style to different editorial requirements.
Accuracy and keen attention to detail so that each page is delivered 100% precise.
Essential skills:
Experience in writing articles—preferably across different info channels (Web, Newspapers, Guides, Books)
Ability to write clear and concise reviews
Specific knowledge of your region/province/city and surrounding areas
Knowledge of online publishing
Willingness to travel if asked
Personal qualities:
Motivated
Flexible and adaptable
Able to work independently
Passionate about tourism and travel
Detail-oriented
Enthusiastic
This position is unpaid, but successful candidates will be able to participate in a new, interesting project, see their content published, and gain excellent experience in the online publishing industry.

12) Aspiring journalists
For a new editorial project launched in August, we are looking for collaborators: young aspiring journalists who want to write about sports, events, entertainment, culture, and trends. You’ll have a chance to gain experience by attending press conferences, premieres, and major events, but currently, there is no compensation. Requirements: motivation, consistency, writing ability, and passion for the topics. To apply, please send your CV and a short 2000-character sample article on one of these topics to the following address: …

Journalists paid IN ADVERTISING

After free journalists, here come journalists paid in advertising. In two words: journalist-entrepreneurs. Basically, if the newspaper sells, a percentage of advertising revenue (it’s unclear how much the profits are) is allocated to the authors of the content, who, in fact, are those keeping the newspaper alive. Journalists like sales agents?

1) Looking for journalists for soccer website
The editorial team of XXX is selecting editors, contributors, or journalists, even with first-time experience, to expand our staff. By working with our site you’ll have the opportunity to nurture your passion for soccer and at the same time gain experience in sports journalism.
REQUIREMENTS:
We’re looking for motivated, dynamic, cultured candidates with strong writing skills.
Excellent abilities in using computers and online language.
Willing to work from home (tele-commuting).
Teamwork skills.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We’re seeking contributors for:
Naples (editor familiar with the team)
2 Editors ONLY if experts on Serie Bwin
1 Editor ONLY if expert on Lega Pro
1 Editor ONLY if expert on the Brazilian Championship
1 editor ONLY if expert on La Liga (Spanish league)
PAYMENT:
Payment is only through sponsor commission.
It’s NOT POSSIBLE at this time to obtain the press card as a publicist.

2) Editor-in-chief
We are looking for an experienced journalist for serious, long-term collaboration.
We are NOT looking for people interested in the 200 euros per month we offer initially for the first 6 months.
We are looking for people motivated to grow a magazine and give quality and prestige to their own career.
The monthly offer will increase in later months.
We need an experienced journalist to select articles and willing to register our magazine at court, becoming director and journalist of the magazine. There will be another journalist available for teamwork and the editor-in-chief should work closely with our staff to improve the magazine.
We expect a serious request for information, not a dull and pointless one, showing you are interested in more than just money.
This job requires passion to stimulate creativity and get results, otherwise, you can’t reach an agreement with us.
Do not apply if you’re just looking for a salary to improve your life, because life won’t improve if there’s no quality and passion in what you do.

3) JOURNALIST/COMMENTATOR
Looking for commentators and journalists for an online news project
Required qualities:
High school diploma
Good command of rhetoric and excellent general knowledge
Excellent knowledge of the internet, office, skype
High motivation
Pay: adsense*
*by placing an ad in your article using your own adsense code.

Journalists PAID 50 cents per article

Another common ad is the one offering journalists 50 cents per article. It doesn’t specify if the 50 cents is gross or net and whether payment is per article or only after reaching the first €10. Jokes aside, we should ask these pseudo-publishers if they know what goes into creating an article (originality, time, costs, etc.), or whether the 50 cents is just a wild guess. The dignity of a journalist at the price of 50 cents could be the title of a book… for sale.

1) Sport: looking for writers and web editors
Small blog looking for reliable, willing collaborators
We are looking for 5 editors to join the “sports” section
Skills required of the editor:
– Excellent knowledge of the WordPress platform
– Excellent knowledge of the area, such as football, Formula 1, motorbikes, and anything in the world of sports
– Availability
What the editor will do:
– Minimum requirement: 2 articles per day
– A sector manager will select topics
– Articles must be 300 words, include photos, tags and, if necessary, video
There will be a weekly schedule to follow in addition to the articles you can write at your own discretion.
The blog is not yet a registered newspaper, so don’t ask if you can get documentation for a press card: for now it’s not possible.
The pay is 0.50 cents per article. We know it’s little, but we’re saying so up front, so only contact us if you’re interested.
There is a trial period during which your work and suitability as a web editor will be assessed.

The ads shown are just examples. The web is full of similar or even worse ads; from north to south, Italy is truly united in this.If you’ve found similar ads online that deserve to be pointed out, please add them in the comments area.