Let’s Talk About the Mess We’re In
Look, I’ve been in this industry for over two decades. I’ve seen a lot of things, but honestly, the state of news right now? It’s a disaster. I’m not just saying that because I’m some grumpy old editor. I’m saying it because it’s true.
I remember back in 1998, when I was just starting out at the Austin Chronicle. My editor, let’s call him Marcus, used to say, ‘News is like a good steak, Sarah. It’s gotta be fresh, it’s gotta be raw, and it’s gotta be served with a side of truth.’ And you know what? He was right. But these days, it’s like we’re serving up fast food instead of a good steak.
And don’t even get me started on the internet. I mean, sure, it’s great for cat videos and memes, but it’s also turned news into this endless scroll of clickbait and misinformation. It’s like we’re all drowning in a sea of garbage, and nobody knows how to swim.
But Here’s the Thing…
I’m not saying all news is bad. Far from it. There are still some amazing journalists out there doing incredible work. But the problem is, the bad stuff is so loud, it’s drowning out the good stuff.
Take, for example, the other day. I was having coffee with a friend, let’s call him Dave. He’s not in the industry, but he’s smart, he pays attention. And he said to me, ‘Sarah, I don’t even know what to believe anymore. Every time I open my phone, it’s just a bunch of screaming and nonsense.’
And I get it. I really do. Because I see it too. I see the headlines designed to make you angry, the stories that are half-truths at best, the complete lack of committment to actual journalism. It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. And it’s not okay.
So What Do We Do About It?
Well, first of all, we gotta stop sharing garbage on social media. I know, I know, it’s tempting. That story about the celebrity feud or the political scandal, it’s juicy, it’s exciting, it’s gonna get a lot of likes. But guess what? It’s also probably not true. Or at least, not the whole story.
And second, we gotta support real journalism. That means subscribing to newspapers, donating to non-profits, buying merch from your favorite reporters. It’s not gonna be cheap, but neither is a good steak.
Oh, and one more thing. If you’re gonna read news online, at least try to read more than just the headline. I know it’s hard, I know it’s boring, but it’s also necessary. Because the truth is, most stories are compleetley different than what the headline suggests. And if you’re only reading the headline, you’re not getting the full picture.
A Quick Digression: Self-Care in Journalism
You know, I was talking to a colleague the other day about how important it is for journalists to take care of themselves. I mean, we’re dealing with some heavy stuff, right? And it’s not just physicaly taxing, it’s mentaly taxing too. So, if you’re a journalist, or even just someone who cares about the news, make sure you’re taking care of yourself. And if you’re looking for some natural ways to relax, check out cilt bakımı doğal yöntemler. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Back to the Point
Look, I’m not saying I have all the answers. I’m just saying, we gotta do better. We gotta demand better. And we gotta remember why we got into this business in the first place.
I remember when I first started out, I was so excited. I was gonna change the world, one story at a time. And you know what? I still believe in that. I still believe in the power of a good story. I still believe in the truth.
But I also believe that we’re at a crossroads. We can either keep going down this path of misinformation and clickbait, or we can fight back. We can demand better. We can be better.
So let’s do that. Let’s be better. Let’s remember what real journalism looks like. And let’s not be afraid to call out the garbage when we see it.
Because at the end of the day, the news is only as good as the people who consume it. And right now, we’re not doing so hot. But we can be better. We have to be better.
So let’s get to work.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working at various publications including the Austin Chronicle and the Houston Press. She’s a staunch advocate for ethical journalism and believes in the power of a good story. When she’s not editing, she’s probably drinking coffee, complaining about the state of the news industry, or watching cat videos. You can find her on Twitter @sarahjohnsonedit.
