I’m not going to save journalism
Even I’m not that arrogant.
What I will do, though, is make myself part of what keeps journalism thriving. Over the past year, I’ve been working slowly to become a better journalist by honing my writing and learning new things. I dabbled in audio and video for my college newspaper, but never seriously enough to consider making it a part of my professional life.
Admittedly, this post is in direct response to a comment left on Meranda Watling’s blog calling her a “clueless young journo.” We’re not the saviors, we’re part of them. Meranda Writes:
I am 22 and about as tech-savvy as an employer could possibly hope for their employee to be. And you know what? I LOVE my newspaper job. But I don’t love it because I am wedded to the idea of a printed product or because I long to wear fedoras or be Woodward and Bernstein or any of that. I don’t. I really really don’t. I rarely read the printed newspaper (my editor hates this), and I’d much rather be putting together an interactive graphic than sitting through a school board meeting.
But here’s the thing. Although it’s far more traditional a journalism job than I ever envisioned myself taking, I get to do most of the things I want to do. When I took this job I was upfront with everyone including myself that I wanted it to give me a solid base for whatever job I take next. I don’t expect or want to be a “newspaper reporter” forever. But I do believe no matter where I go, the skills I’m learning here are going to be invaluable.
Call this optimistic, call this myopic, but those who want to make this profession better will do so. Call us “intern backers,” call us “idiotic youngsters,” but don’t for one second call us ill-prepared to continue what we got into this business to do.
I work as a Web producer at a TV station. I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t try every day to make that Web site better in some way. I would be spitting in the face of those who taught me and gave me chances if I didn’t try to improve KSAT.com in some little way. Sure, the changes have been small and — for more web-savvy people — you could call them grains of sand, but it’s an improvement that’s shown in both our newsroom and how our readers/viewers respond to our product.
I’ve got one reporter who is always trying to think of how to do extra stuff on his stories to drive people online. I’ve got another who has asked me to help her adapt her Web writing. I’ve got a producer that’s a digital native who wants our site to do more all the time.
I’d be an idiot if I thought I knew it all, but I’d be an imbecile if I didn’t think I should try to learn it all.
What’s wrong with trying to save journalism anyway? Are we to let it go by the wayside? Let’s face it, we all still need to pay our bills, but I’ll be damned if I give up this dream without a fight.
2 comments
Actually, Joe, I will call your generation ill-prepared. And I’ll add that you’re not a part of the solution. You’re a part of the problem — a big part of it.
I can say this with certainty because I’ve read a lot of the dumb comments that have followed Jessica DaSilva’s clueless blog entry.
Obviously today’s young journos aren’t interested in getting facts. They are ignorant, and they intend to stay ignorant.
They can’t handle opposing viewpoints. They’ve grown up with a strong sense of entitlement, where they got a sugar cookie and a pat on the head for everything.
The world doesn’t need immature, clueless people who can’t get the facts and can’t at least hear what the other side has to say. We need more people like Wendell Barnhouse and fewer people like Jessica DaSilva and Meranda Watling.
I guess when I was right out of college, I should have been telling my employer: “No, I don’t like going to school board meetings. And I don’t intend to read anyone else’s work in print; forget about trying to improve my writing.” But you know what? That wouldn’t have flown. And that’s the way it should be.
Apparently that’s not the way it is for today’s young journos, though, which is why they’ll likely be immature, clueless and unprepared for far too long. Good thing newspapers have lowered their standards, eh?
Wenalway, those are some pretty strong statements from someone that doesn’t back up their own beliefs with evidence of their background or some sort of factual reason to think there is fault to be blamed on any one person, whatever their age.
I’m a young journalist myself, indulged in all aspects of my newspaper (copy desk, layout, reporting, photography and the Web site.) The only way that newspapers get by is with interested men and women in this industry. There are plenty of smart, talented journalists that don’t hack it simply because they’re too lazy. To imply that young journalists (something I take offensively) are a part of the problem is a gross over-generalization and exemplary of the idiocy that I see too often in the general public. Sorry, but it doesn’t appear that you are a journalist or understanding of journalism’s changing face. The crap that you just spewed about not hearing the other’s view point has nothing to do with recreating the way media is consumed or monetizing on an industry that’s consumers expect to be free every click of the way. No, your problem is an ageism issue. I suggest you deal with it.
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