In today’s world, a disturbing trend has emerged—our society devalues those who work tirelessly to provide us with the information we need to navigate our lives. Social media creators and independent journalists often find themselves caught in a brutal cycle of labor: pouring their hearts and souls into their work, only to be met with paltry compensation or, worse, no pay at all. If you think they should continue this destructive trend, you’ve got another thing coming.

Let’s get one thing straight: fair compensation is not just a nice gesture. It is a fundamental right. Social media influencers and independent news outlets provide us with a constant flow of content, news, and perspectives that we consume daily. They dissect complex issues, share vital information, and entertain us, yet many of them struggle to keep the lights on. These hardworking individuals dedicate their lives to creating valuable content, yet brands, employers, and organizations often exploit their creativity without compensating them adequately. This is akin to theft—plain and simple.

To the retail consumer: ask yourself, how many times have you scrolled through your social media feeds or clicked on a news article, drawn in by an engaging post or a groundbreaking report, all created by someone struggling to make ends meet? If this trend continues, these creators will soon vanish, leaving consumers starved for quality content and authentic voices. Would you accept being paid in ‘exposure’ at your job? No! You wouldn’t stand for it—and neither should they.

Now to the corporate employers: your lack of investment in independent voices is nothing short of disgraceful. You pocket profits while the creators you rely on for marketing and information go unpaid, struggling to maintain their livelihoods. Your ad revenue systems thrive on their hard work, yet you skimp on paying them—forcing them to chase sponsorships and donations. This approach not only exploits the creators but undermines the integrity of the messages they convey, tainting the very information you and your consumers rely on.

Imagine what it would be like if the creators simply stopped working. Imagine the silence filling our social feeds, the void in independent news coverage. You reap what you sow, and the continued mistreatment of these indispensable contributors will come back to bite you. The idealism surrounding exposure as payment must end; it’s a dangerous myth that allows those with money to steal the labor and creativity of others without consequence.

When we undervalue the hard work of social media influencers and independent journalists, we risk losing a diverse range of voices. The wrath of an audience is powerful. It is one that can drown out the noise of corporate greed, but it must start with you demanding change. Refuse to engage with brands and outlets that exploit creators. Call out corporations that solely profit from unpaid labor. We need a collective uprising, a movement that demands that every creator is compensated fairly for their work.

Companies, take heed: the clock is ticking. Fair compensation isn’t just morally right; it’s essential for your continued success. Without the passion and creativity of independent voices, you will find your brand’s narrative stagnant. To the creators: do not allow your labor to be stripped away any longer under the guise of ‘exposure.’ Stand together, demand what you deserve, and let us collectively remind the world that every piece of work carries intrinsic value.