Paying for education through sex work: Journalist seeks stories

Previous Thread Next Thread
J

journogirl

New member
Apr 21, 2010
4
1
0
Hello all,
I am a young journalist in Vancouver currently working for the Georgia Straight newspaper and I am hoping to write a story about women (or men) who have paid or are currently paying for their college education through sex work.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your experience in the sex industry as a student. If you are someone on this site who is currently a student working in the sex industry or you know of someone who would be willing to speak with about this, I would really love to get in touch with you.
I think this could be a very interesting and informative article about something that is often not discussed properly in mainstream media. I can of course be reached via this forum, or you can message me privately.
Looking forward to hearing form you.
Cheers,
Shadi
 
J

journogirl

New member
Apr 21, 2010
4
1
0
Sadly no one has come forth yet with their stories, which is a shame because I think it's exactly stories like this that could help take the stigma off of what sex work is and who is involved in it.
 
R

ReluctantPooner

Member
Aug 15, 2006
621
3
18
Couldn't some girls talk to the journalist using just their working names and do it over email? This way they could maintain their anonymity and the article could still be written and hopefully open up some peoples' minds.
 
P

Pillowtalk

Banned
Feb 11, 2010
1,037
3
0
journogirl said:
Sadly no one has come forth yet with their stories, which is a shame because I think it's exactly stories like this that could help take the stigma off of what sex work is and who is involved in it.
Click to expand...

I think maybe they are busy? It is only 3 hours since your initial post. You can read a whole bunch of stories, just by looking thru all the threads, btw.
 
J

journogirl

New member
Apr 21, 2010
4
1
0
Thanks for all the responses everyone, I really appreciate it.
@Exotic Non-Pro I understand your concern about not wanting to speak with someone who is a young journalist, although I would have to disagree that age is a factor in my ability to do my job well. I have been working as journalist in some capacity for nearly a decade, I'm just lucky enough now to be doing it full-time. As for wanting to exploit someone's story in order to make a quick buck, I not only think that is a rather quick judgment to make about someone but I assure you there are not many journalist who get into this field for the money. My comment about the lack of responses was based on my attempts for the past several weeks in trying to find someone to speak with. I was only told about this site this morning, but before that have posted in other community sites as well as spoken to people who might be able to help. My main intention for wanting to write this story is the same reason I choose to pursue any story, I think that it is one worth telling. I think that there are a lot of incredible women who do amazing things and the way they put themselves through school shouldn't become a factor to judge or stigmatize them.
@ReluctantPooner I actually don't ever do interviews via email, it's our policy to ensure we know who we are speaking with and that the information that we are putting out there is truthful. I understand that in a case of something like this it becomes a tricky issue but it's a steadfast rule that as the writer I can't speak with someone based on anonymity.
@Sasha Queen, I'm sorry but i just checked this now and saw your message, I have responded back.
Thanks again for the feedback.
 
P

Pillowtalk

Banned
Feb 11, 2010
1,037
3
0
You might consider posting full contact info, rather than wanting them to contact you via pm. For one thing, some may read the site but not want to join it, and others may not want a history recorded here of their interest.

Also, showing who you are lends more credibility, as I am sure that if you were interested in doing any other kind of story, you would not call up people anonymously. You would introduce yourself, name, past articles, etc. I don't think anyone wants to find out after they speak with a reporter that it is someone who has a tradition of attacking rather than reporting. (I am thinking of that guy from Vancouver Courier who has one agenda, despite any facts that come his way).
 
J

journogirl

New member
Apr 21, 2010
4
1
0
@pillowtalk, that's a great point! and I know exactly the person you are speaking of at the Courier and I couldn't agree more with you. I am now running past my deadline of being able to use someone in the story but certainly if I ever need to do something similar I will post my contact info. It's not my intent to hide who I am, I try and do my best in producing content that is not damning to anyone and I am certain not everyone agrees with what I write but I keep my personal opinions out of stories I write.
@Exotic Non-pro It's not that I wouldn't use an anonymous source, it just can't be that they are anonymous to me. Other journalist might have a different policy on this, but I would argue that it is those people who are trying to exploit a story when they do that. I think that it is an integral part of my job to ensure that I know and my editor knows that the person I am speaking with is in fact who they say they are. Writing the story is different, I completely understand that with a topic like this people don't want to use real names and I am just as concerned about their safety so I wouldn't ask them to do so if they weren't comfortable with it. Ultimately it comes down both parties respecting what the other does and ensuring that neither has to compromise their rules. I wish you luck and thank you for taking the time to engage in this dialogue with me. I feel like I learn more and more each time I am faced with challenges in my job and all everyone's responses has helped tremendously.
Cheers!
Shadi
 
  • Like
Reactions: Man Mountain
D

d_Duck55

New member
Aug 11, 2004
883
3
0
journogirl said:
I am a young journalist ...r and I am hoping to write a story
Click to expand...
I think you should pay to visit a few escorts, post some reviews, build some "cred" on the board, and then ask for help.

A noob with all these questions often gets ignored.

Oh, and post pics of your research :cool:
 
HankQuinlan

HankQuinlan

I dont re Member
Sep 7, 2002
1,744
6
0
victoria
Must agree -- it is a perfectly reasonable story and well-written. I searched out Shadi Ellens's other stories for the Straight, and they range over a number of topics (likely assigned by the editors), all well-written and to the point. She seems like the type of good journalist we need more of out there. And of course, approval from PERB will rank high on her resume :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Previous Thread Next Thread
Vancouver Escorts
Top Bottom