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    Categories: Opinion

Is there such a practice as free lunch?

Have you read about the wikipedia? If you did, you must have appreciated with interest the information posted on its website, especially its wikinews section. But have you ever wondered how its contributors and writers were paid for their hardwork?
 
You may not have the slightest idea, but they are not, of course. And the wikipedia management is feasting on articles contributed by citizen journalists without batting an eyelash on how to share portion of its revenues to the people who make its website running. If you made an attempt to contribute to this website, especially at wikinews, it would be likely that you’ll be frustrated because the administrators feel like they are demigods of the editorial newsroom of wikinews. With many people dipping their hands on a certain article, is something that can be misconstrued as a mutilation of one’s creative efforts, without respect. It would be good if said practice redound to the benefit of any contributor, but no way. Others viewed this as a "free lunch" in exchange for seeing one’s effort on the Internet.
 
Perhaps, a lot of citizen journalists have expressed the same frustration over the way wikinews people treat conributors, many of whom have been practicing journalists for decades. The only difference is that they have been picked to administer the site ahead of anybody who may have expressed interest to land the same post. It is also ironical to note that administrators at wikinews are so meticulous on news coverages that they wanted them personally covered by citizen reporters. For free?
 
With the advent of the Internet, it is not only wikinews that should be scrutinized but others, too, who take advantage of earning something from the works of others. Before the eyes of God, it is an indulgence to share your blessings to those who are in need.
Al Jeratso: Al Jeratso is a freelance journalist, writer, poet and blogger. Many of his articles, touching on a wide variety of issues, appeared in major leading dailies and magazines both in Manila and abroad, including the United States and England. He held various editorial positions with several media organizations, the last of which was as senior news editor of a newswires organization in Manila.
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