It’s been hard this week to be positive about journalism.
We lost about 900 journalism jobs.
There have been blog posts galore about what exactly has put the industry in this situation, and feelings have escalated.
On Twitter and on the blogosphere this week, I’ve seen numerous arguments about what’s wrong with journalism: Giving away content for free? People who think we should charge for content? The housing bubble? The economy? Illiteracy? Egotism? Bias?
I’ve been terrified by the loss of faith among journalists. To me, that’s more disheartening than the actual state of the profession.
This isn’t just about me paying the bills once I graduate.
Sure, if journalism isn’t around for me to work in, I’ll be upset. My dream might be crushed, but I’m only one person. I’ll move on.
But the world won’t. Government won’t. Democracy won’t.
I guess I feel that way because I’m one of those old-fashioned people who believe that journalism is about truth: speaking truth to power, finding the truth, publicizing the truth, somehow getting at the truth by exploring all viewpoints.
I don’t care what medium that’s in or how it’s presented stylistically as long as I’m allowed to do that. It could be in Haiku, for all I care.
I think, in the midst of all the blogging and ad-hawking and politicizing and doing more with less, we’ve lost sight of that.
We’ve lost sight of what wins Pulitzer prizes and brings down leaders and governments, what protects the innocent and damns the guilty.
Part of what excites journalists and the general public about journalism is the philosophy, the search for knowledge. That’s complicated, and it’s not something you can quantify.
But all we can see lately is the bottom line and the jobs bottoming out. We’re divided among ourselves, arguing over the inverted pyramid vs. Gonzo and HTML vs. newsprint. That’s all fine for discussion – and everyone knows I love a good discussion – but the rancor I’ve seen in recent weeks disturbs me.
I’ve been guilty of it as well (see previous blog post). We’ve all chosen sides. But I think it’s time to stop wasting time. It’s time to start taking a proactive approach to saving journalism.
Maybe this sounds cheesy or cliche. If it does, I’m sorry — because I can’t help but feel that we’re shooting our own wounded.
It’s time to utilize expertise, both old and new. It’s time to try everything that fits within our ethical standards. It’s time to convince our friends and family that they need the media. It’s time to stop fighting among ourselves and figure out a battle plan for the economic woes ahead.
I’m not saying we need to end discussion. I’m just saying that the discussions need to get us somewhere instead of stagnating.
To me, the thesis of journalism has always been that words are powerful.
It’s time to use that power to keep our profession alive – not to tear it down.
In a world where the guards need to be guarded, I have to believe there will always be an absolute need for some form of journalism.
It’s my calling. It’s what I want to dedicate my life to.
Who’s with me?
12 responses so far ↓
Jessica DaSilva // July 1, 2008 at 9:47 am |
That was kind of like Bill Pullman’s speech in “Independence Day.”
Papercuts Hurt // July 1, 2008 at 3:34 pm |
I completely understand where you are coming from, not because I’ve ever worked in journalism but because my father did for 22 years. For 22 years, he worked for the Orlando Sentinel and I was raised in a household that believed journalism was essential to democracy. Still, my father left the Sentinel a few years back, sensing trouble on the horizon.
In Orlando that trouble is front and center, now that the Tribune and the paper’s management have decided to play around with both format and staff. People who seemed like they would be at the Sentinel forever are being laid off or buying out; readers are dropping subscriptions like crazy. You can read more about the troubles with Orlando Sentinel at a blog I started about it here:
http://amazingshrinkingsentinel.blogspot.com/
My father says he wouldn’t tell anyone to pursue a career in journalism, right now. But if you’re seriously dedicated breaking news and investigating local stories, then you’re what the industry needs right now. All the old timers are getting flushed out, I can only hope that the people taking their places will be as dedicated to the craft.
Someone will always want to read a newspaper.
Charles Roop // July 1, 2008 at 10:55 pm |
Great post! The profession is in trouble and there needs to be a journalism revolution. Not only for our jobs, but for the greater good.
tandrew // July 2, 2008 at 9:45 am |
I really really loved this post Hilary. I feel like this should be delivered to every journalism class in the US.
bydanielvictor // July 2, 2008 at 3:59 pm |
I’m with you. I read a lot of journalism blogs, and it seems like a lot of them are more into dreaming and tsk-tsking as opposed to seeking out real solutions that can be immediately implemented in newsrooms. The culture of self-promotion in blogs and Twitter doesn’t help, either.
Might I suggest adding a Twitter widget to your sidebar, or at least a link to follow you? Now would normally be the time I would click it.
sketchofanartsavedwretch // July 2, 2008 at 5:57 pm |
Right behind ya, babe.
Anne-Marie // July 3, 2008 at 5:21 am |
“I guess I feel that way because I’m one of those old-fashioned people who believe that journalism is about truth: speaking truth to power, finding the truth, publicizing the truth, somehow getting at the truth by exploring all viewpoints.”
I wanted to stand up and clap when I read these words. You know, I can’t help wondering: If more journalists had this belief in journalism and retained this belief even when they became management, perhaps journalism wouldn’t be in such a poor state?
Trish // July 3, 2008 at 9:21 am |
you should “twitter” – I would follow you
Hilary Lehman // July 3, 2008 at 11:06 am |
To anyone who wants to follow me on Twitter, my user name is hilaryalehman.
I have submitted to peer pressure, and my twitterfeed is now on the sidebar.
Etoain Shrdlu // July 3, 2008 at 12:17 pm |
Showing blind dedication to the newspaper industry today is like being the battered wife who won’t leave her husband “because I know he loves me.” Life is too short to devote yourself to an industry that would fire you in a snap if it means saving a few peanuts a year. Newspapers don’t care about their employees (well, at least not as much as they care about unrealistic profit margins). We need to stop romanticizing journalism. I recently graduated with my J degree, but I’m getting out of journalism because I don’t want to work for a ship on a crash course with an iceberg with captains who have no idea how to steer. And keep in mind I’ve had some big-time internships. I could probably get a job at any newspaper (the ones that are hiring, if there’s such a thing), but I don’t want to deal with the frustration and lack of respect. It’s not worth it. I hope all J students consider starting their own news-gathering websites instead of going to work for a dinosaur.
Journalism Cuts « The Daily Life of Da Weatha Man - Journalist // July 3, 2008 at 3:48 pm |
[...] are there more factors? One blogger says “yes.” Hilary Lehman, a friend and journalism student at UF, referenced Mark Potts’s post and he has his reasons: [...]
Wenalway // July 4, 2008 at 2:15 am |
The really troubling event of the week was the tactless post of Jessica DaSilva, followed by the hyenic laughs of the Hats In Reverse bunch, which includes clueless people like Mindy McAdams, Howie Owens, Pat Thornton and Ryan Sholin. None of these people has improved journalism, but they take pleasure in layoffs.