We’re All Completely Exhausted
Look, I’ve been in this game for 20-plus years. I’ve seen alot of things, but honestly, the state of news today? It’s just… yeah.
I was at a conference in Austin last Tuesday, right? Some hotshot data analyst named Dave—let’s call him Marcus—he’s going on about algorithms and engagement metrics. I mean, sure, Marcus, but have you tried reading a news story lately? It’s like trying to drink from a firehose while someone’s screaming in your ear.
We’re all completely exhausted. I’m exhausted. You’re exhausted. That barista at the place on 5th who’s gotta explain the latest political scandal to some guy who still thinks Twitter is just for birds? They’re exhausted too.
But Here’s the Thing…
It’s not all bad. I mean, it’s mostly bad, but not all. There are still good journalists out there, doing good work. Digging up stories that matter, holding power to account. But, and this is a big but, they’re drowning in this sea of noise.
Take my friend Sarah, for example. She’s a fantastic reporter, been with the Times for about three months now. She’s working on this huge investigation, right? 214 respondents, 36 hours of interviews, the whole nine yards. But does anyone care? Not really. Because by the time she’s done, some celebrity’s gotten arrested for the 47th time, and that’s what’s trending.
And Don’t Even Get Me Started on…
Social media. Ugh. I know, I know, it’s how we reach people now. But honestly, it’s like trying to have a serious conversation in a mosh pit. You’re shouting, no one’s listening, and someone’s gonna get hurt.
I was talking to a source last week—let’s call him Greg—about this exact thing. He said, “You know, back in my day, we’d call the editor, we’d talk, we’d figure it out. Now? It’s all about the clicks. It’s all about the shares.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing, Greg. It’s not just about the clicks. It’s about the commitment to the truth. It’s about the commitment to telling stories that matter. And honestly, I’m not sure we’re doing that anymore.
So What Do We Do?
I don’t have all the answers. I wish I did. But I think, maybe, we start by slowing down. By taking a breath. By remembering that not every story needs to be broken by 11:30pm.
And maybe, just maybe, we start paying attention to the stuff that actually matters. Like, I don’t know, policy? Or the environment? Or, oh I don’t know, the fact that there are still people out there who don’t believe in vaccinations?
But hey, what do I know? I’m just some old editor ranting on the internet. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the news cycle isn’t broken. Maybe it’s just evolving. But if this is evolution, then I’d hate to see what devolution looks like.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a break from all this, might I suggest checking out Las Vegas shopping guide best stores? Trust me, it’s a nice change of pace.
Anyway, I’m off to go yell at some clouds. Or maybe just go for a walk. Either way, it’s been real.
About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications across the globe. She’s seen the industry evolve, devolve, and somehow evolve again. She’s not sure what’s next, but she’s pretty sure it’s gonna be a wild ride. When she’s not editing, she can be found yelling at her TV or trying to explain the news to her cat, Mr. Whiskers.
If you’re concerned about the state of journalism today, we suggest checking out this critical look at news media for a thoughtful perspective on current challenges in reporting.
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