My son wants to be a journalist. What do I tell him? I feel somewhat sick as if he told me he has enlisted and is going off to war. He is a journalist for his college newspaper. He started as a freshman writing pieces, covering whatever he was asked to, a football game, a protest, a concert. Then, while continuing to write stories, he became a photo editor, and this year he is the video editor for its online edition. I am of course most excited about this latest "career move" as I believe it may be his saving grace. But he still wants to work for a newspaper when he graduates. "Honey," I say, "you know the newspaper is dying, right?" He knows this intellectually, but I can see that he still can't believe it.
He wants to feel the newsprint, to be part of the unique energy of a newsroom. He is a romantic I suppose. Also an avid reader, he refuses a Kindle, even for when he is studying abroad -- preferring to haul a duffle of books to Buenos Aires.
As his mother, I worry. I suggest that he is well suited to video journalist, a story teller for the next platform -- the newsroom that is evolving. Or that he will be highly successful as a content creator -- creating news and feature stories for branded platforms -- be they corporate brands, NGOs, etc. He has worked for CBS College Sports TV, he has worked for the World Food Programme's Images group. He is not naïve. Yet he still thinks of applying for job at our city newspaper-the one newspaper that is remaining, hanging on by life support.
We live in a time where the journalist must reinvent him or herself, being flexible and yet also holding onto the integrity and urgent place in our society: the Fourth Estate.
With the evolution of user generated content that is not subject to journalistic ethics or even fact checking, driving news cycles, we need the Fourth Estate more than ever. But it must take on a different perch. Those that observe and chronicle and keep a journal on our times can do so from any place or platform. And if they are clever, wise, thoughtful, interesting, we will continue to turn to them for this.
News on the other hand has become muddled in currency. The Wall Street Journal which is famous for its top notch reporters and editors sets it daily editorial direction based on the top topics from its online edition. So we as readers vote with our click thru every day, and then get to read what is popular in the next day's edition.
TMZ, with clearly questionable journalistic ethical standards, has dominated news cycle after news cycle this month with its coverage of Tiger Woods.
There is such a need for journalists today, great writers who will do what it takes not just to find and tell a story, but to make sure it both correct and well told. They just need to find a new home, a new place from which to draw readers or viewers as the case seems to be through visual narratives.
We need to ensure that the fine journalists who have lost their jobs with newspapers, can find new work. And we need to continue to encourage the next generation to want to get out there and be journalists, photo journalists, editors. The newspaper may be dying, but the act of accurately chronicling our times, reporting, and observing is greatly needed for society to be informed and knowledgeable and progressive.