Seoul Selection is looking for professional journalists looking to do stories about the city of Seoul. From our Seoul Selection website:
Seoul Selection is looking for professional journalists interested in writing stories on the city of Seoul. Eligible for the Western press tour are print media journalists and travel columnists of established media companies in Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Selected journalists may stay up to 10 days in Seoul to cover a story about this city of 10 million, beginning mid-April. All the expenses — roundtrip airfare to lodging and ground transportation — will be covered by the host, Seoul Metropolitan Government. For the year 2008, Seoul Selection will be administering the press tour program for the above-mentioned regions on behalf of Seoul Metropolitan Government, which seeks to promote Seoul tourism in the Western press.
Journalists of established Western media are preferred for the program, which will be held three times a year. Freelance writers including travel bloggers and influential writers and editors from magazines are also encouraged to apply. All program costs will be covered during the tour, including interpreter expenses, meals and accommodations.
See the link for additional information, including the application form.
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28 Comments
All expenses paid, but again no compensation is noted. I’ve published articles in almost every English publication in Korea, but have never been compensated. In my opinion, the media is too cheap here to afford quality journalists.
Correction: the media “are” too cheap…
cry somewhere else about your money problems.
It is the city government offering to pay the expenses, not the media. You could stand to brush up on your reading comprehension skills. Perhaps your writing is similarly flawed and that is why you never get paid.
As to why there are no quality journalists here, it is because there are no quality publications.
he’s probably another American who got stiffed and now he’s here to go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Seriously you can’t get in the US or in Korea, just live with it.
*get paid*
Out of sympathy for Joe I’ll ignore him.
Aaron, I think it is you who needs to brush up on your “reading comprehension.” Notice the phrase “the media is too cheap here” is not singling out Seoul Selection. Generally it is the publication, not the government, that compensates. Although in Korea it is neither.
Also you may need to brush up on your logic.
As to why there are no quality journalists here, it is because there are no quality publications.
Correction: As to why there are no quality publications here, it is because there are no quality journalists.
Why would they offer compensation? Presumably, the journalist/writer would come here for the tour, which is expenses paid (a daily allowance/stipend is probably also included) and would return to their home country and get paid for the story by the “established Western media”(their employer).
Aha! Finally someone with brains. Yes, chiamattt, that’s true. (Notice I only said the media in Korea don’t compensate well).
But here’s another point.
Let me make another argument in your favor: Seoul Selection should not pay. In fact, for the sake of accuracy, they shouldn’t even cover travel and accommodation expenses. Journalists aren’t supposed to receive remuneration for sake of remaining objective to their cause.
Of course, Seoul Selection is seeking to promote tourism, not news. Perhaps then they should target writers for ad campaigns, and in that case they ought to compensate more appropriately.
I stand by my statement. You can’t even read and copy my name properly.
Boshintang, the media doesn’t compensate well anywhere unless you make a name for yourself or tow the party line.
Do you really think the travel section is written by people who take “journalism” seriously? Do you really think Seoul Selection or the Seoul Gov is going to accept an application from someone who wants to cover something embarrassing (homelessness or environmental problems)?
You’d be surprised how much is provided “free” to travel writers by cities all over the world.
The tour isn’t about actual journalism, it’s about getting international writers (who just happen to have the title of journalist or freelance writer) into Korea so that they can happily write up a puff piece that includes words such as “dynamic”, “ubiquitous”, and “sparkling”.
who gives a rats ass!
just kidding….but really they will not find professional jounalists to come over here for that type of work
#13, Hey, I’m willing to give it a shot:
“Insa-dong — the Left Bank of Seoul!”
Etc., etc. x 1,000 words.
Can I have my free plane ticket now, President Manson?
No no no… you forgot to add, “also well known by foreigners as ‘Mary’s Alley’.”
“No no no… you forgot to add, “also well known by foreigners as ‘Mary’s Alley’.””
Give the man two nights and three days at The Shilla Seoul!
#9
Let me make another argument in your favor: Seoul Selection should not pay. In fact, for the sake of accuracy, they shouldn’t even cover travel and accommodation expenses. Journalists aren’t supposed to receive remuneration for sake of remaining objective to their cause.
What did you smoke for breakfast this morning?
Let me make another argument in your favor: Seoul Selection should not pay. In fact, for the sake of accuracy, they shouldn’t even cover travel and accommodation expenses. Journalists aren’t supposed to receive remuneration for sake of remaining objective to their cause.
Eh? What did you smoke for breakfast this morning?
“Seoul Selection should not pay. In fact, for the sake of accuracy, they shouldn’t even cover travel and accommodation expenses. Journalists aren’t supposed to receive remuneration for sake of remaining objective to their cause.”
Hmm, just stepped off the plane, eh?
Here’s another one for more pomo-minded travelers:
“Apkujong — the Rodeo Drive of the Rodeo Drive of Korea!”
Considering that Insa-dong is on the right bank of Seoul, it’d be a tad misleading doncha think?
“Considering that Insa-dong is on the right bank of Seoul, it’d be a tad misleading doncha think?”
Isn’t that the whole point?
“Homo Hill — the Castro St. of Korea!”
#10
Ha! Anton, good catch! (by the way, what country is “Anton” from?)
#17
I smoked your mom.
#11
That’s true, writing doesn’t pay well until you make it to the top. But at least in the US it still pays somewhat. I can’t imagine how beginning writers would get by in Korea.
The tour isn’t about actual journalism Exactly. That’s why I said it was about promoting tourism and promoting “sparkling.”
I might add this press tour invitation isn’t exactly for expats in Korea, because they are in the country, but also gathering from commenters, they are too jaded to see Korea from a fresh perspective.
Boshintang–your comments are irrelevant to Robert’s posting. And Seoul Selection is organizing, not hosting the event. It’s a Seoul City-sponsored tour, and like all press trips, yes, they expect you to write nice things about them. And where you submit your article is entirely up to you.
Whether the Seoul City Gov’t actually compensates you for your literary prowess (or lack therof) is whole ‘nother project. They’re paying for your lodging and air transportation—not to mention meals and tours.
If you’re a media professional and don’t want to fly, stay, and eat in Korea for free, the answer’s simple. Don’t go. Really, you don’t have to.
And if you write an article post-press trip, you usually get compensated for it outside Korea. The whole point of going on a press tour is to come back and write about your destination in a publication with foreign readers with little knowledge of Korea, and not to have it published in a Korea-based publication.
As for the dearth of quality journalists in Korea, it takes one to know one.
Or…. you guys can write PR pieces such as this:
http://www.kois.go.kr/News/New.....0080205001
Haha! Great tourism promotional. “Come to Korea’s beaches, no need to bring sunscreen or… oil.”
I heard the oil residue will remain for around two decades.
Ethical journalists (yes, they are out there) do not accept “assignments” in which they are paid by the subject they are expected to cover.
What the Seoul government is looking for is PR and should say so.
No reputable publication would send a journalist here to accept an assignment knowing that travel and lodging costs would be paid for by the source. And, no publication *should* accept articles knowing that the objectivity has been so compromised.
It’s a little bit disheartening to see this, actually. Seoul is certainly worthy of international press attention, but blatant attempts to pay for coverage will tarnish its image among ethical journalists.