The other day, FTVLive told you that WPMI ( Mobile) Chief Meteorologist Alan Sealls stopped by a local church earlier this month to talk about the weather and it seems that churchgoers were asked to pay $5 to see Sealls and hear him speak.

We wrote, “I always thought that going out into the community, meeting the viewers and talking to groups was part of the job? I know that I spoke to a number of groups in my days in TV news and I was not paid a single dime and sometimes I even had to pay for the meal they served up before I spoke.”

But, a Journalist in the business sees a different side to this and she makes aa good point.

This was her email to FTVLive:

Hey Scott,

I’m a working journalist and a daily reader of your blog. I wanted to address a recent post about a journalist being compensated for an appearance.

As we both know the industry is changing significantly and compensation is usually less than ideal for many journalists these days.

In a time when we are barely being paid enough to not qualify for government assistance, are creating online fundraisers to relocate for opportunities (you’ve covered several of these style stories) and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, would it not be smart to make a business out of public speaking?

We are trained speakers who should be branding and charging for our time, likeness and skills. I’d much rather make extra money speaking and hosting events than bartending, substitute teaching, or working retail. Our employers should realize the former is a much better representation of their talent, stations, and companies. And, if they don’t like it PAY US FAIRLY!

These companies are making BILLIONS of dollars and are offering college-educated adults 20k salaries. It’s disgusting and offensive.

I’m personally exhausted after work and heading to my second job in retail is both killing me and slightly embarrassing when I’m recognized.

Why can’t I use my degree to make extra money doing something that benefits me financially and helps grow the station’s viewership?

-Signed a passionate, underpaid, student loan Indebted journalist!