The testimony of Charles: "I am journalist writing for free, but at least the withholding taxes have paid me the" Stories of the Stage In Di Chiara Del Priore - April 27, 2010 My name is Charles, I am 23 years old and the Faculty of Communication Sciences, University "La Sapienza". Combine study with work in a copy shop, where I deal with the layout of a newspaper, I write some articles. For both tasks are regularly paid. I have a fixed term contract of € 300 per month, which allows me to pay for my studies. At the end of 2008, after the classic process of two years and about 90 articles published, I became a journalist at the Order of Lazio. I got the coveted "card" working for a newspaper company, a newspaper that is published by a company and focuses primarily on corporate issues, which I prefer not to mention the name. The preparation was composed of about 10 people, mostly employees. Mine was actually a remote collaboration: writing articles from home and never came in direct contact with the editor. Becoming a journalist was to me the easiest and less expensive to learn a craft that fascinated me ever since high school. Having the card, then I do not prevented it from other work. In some ways, my story is not much different from that of many aspiring journalists: songs written and not paid, in defiance of the law, which refers to "activities on a regular paid work. Salary course certificates, statements false, the editor in the certificate required by the Order for enrollment. A complete documentation, the withholding tax on money that theoretically would have received. Unfortunately a very common practice, which affects the dignity of those who approach the world. However, I consider myself somewhat lucky. Despite everything, I had more privileges than many colleagues, a refund expenses for my travel and for some purchases, such as clothing in case of participation in special events, and regular payment of contributions. I can assure you that is no small thing: Several friends and acquaintances have taken the journalistic activity completely at their own expense. That translates not only to be paid, but also make contributions of their own pockets, card or nothing. I must admit, moreover, to have had the opportunity to gain experience in a challenging reality that has helped me to learn the tricks of the trade and grow professionally. My story leaves some hope for more than many other events, but not enough. The main problem is that the publisher more honest he is forced to deal with continuous cuts. And inevitably at the expense of material costs and time employees to form and pay an aspiring journalist. All within a "sick", which should be demolished and rebuilt. From new bases: first established as the main criterion for the card to hold a degree or diploma in journalism school, so as to bring qualified people in the newsroom and not "writers yet to form, at no cost. It is essential to protect the dignity of those who make part of this world, both as an apprentice to a professional. And then you should restore the minimum tariff of journalists, abolished in 2008, and to monitor compliance: this would allow the writer to have a just reward for their work. * Charles Charles is an invented name, to protect the identity of the person who gave the Republic of Interns his testimony Text assembled by Chiara Del Priore
