A study conducted by Skillset – a UK media training body – concludes that 44 percent of workers in the creative media industry perform unpaid labor in order to secure positions in the field.

According to Skillset, entering the industry still remains largely  contingent on “who you know” culture, rather than open, merit-based opportunities. Incorporating feedback from a selection of media interns from organizations like the BBC and Global Radio, Skillset reacts against this paticular form of media elitism by compiling a set of “best practice” guidelines and case studies. Compensation of at least minimum wage is recommended for media interns, and duration of a given internship should not exceed six months, while work weeks should never exceed 40 hours.

Find Skillset’s Code of Conduct here.