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Bogus work experience breaks the law

Media companies are breaking the law by using bogus work experience placements to cover full-time jobs, according to the National Union of Journalists.

An NUJ survey has exposed widespread exploitation of people trying to break into the industry.

The union said it believes many examples highlighted by qualified journalists show infringements of the law on the minimum wage.

It is writing to companies warning them it will name organisations refusing to take action.

The NUJ said it is supportive of genuine work experience placements for students: but the survey suggests many companies are expecting newly qualified journalists to fill full-time jobs for little or no money.

It found that more than 50 per cent completed work experience placements after achieving their qualification, with the majority receiving little if any payment.

Of those who had material published or broadcast, some 78 per cent received no payment for their work

One-in-four claimed to have completed a placement at an organisation that wouldn't be able to function normally without people on work experience.

NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: "This isn't work experience, it's exploitation. We're all in favour of students getting a feel for life in a newsroom, but in many cases companies are just looking for free labour.”

The survey is part of a major campaign by the union to tackle the unfair ways in which media businesses are using work experience placements to exploit newly qualified and student journalists.

For detail, see the website

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