The News Industry's Identity Crisis: Why I'm Still Here After 20 Years

Confessions of a News Junkie

Look, I've been in this game for 21 years. That's right, I started when dial-up was still a thing. And let me tell you, the news industry has changed more than I ever thought possible.

I'm Sarah, by the way. You might know me from my days at The Daily Chronicle, or maybe you've seen my byline in Digimediapub. I'm not some corporate mouthpiece. I'm a journalist. A real one. And I've got some things to say about where we're at.

First off, let's talk about this whole 'fake news' debacle. It's completley ridiculous. I mean, I've been fact-checking since before it was cool. Remember when we actually had to call libraries to verify stuff? Good times.

Why I Still Believe

So there I was, last Tuesday, at a conference in Austin, listening to some hotshot tech bro tell me that AI is gonna replace journalists. I laughed in his face. Not politely, either. I full-on guffawed.

"You think an algorithm can write about the time Marcus—let's call him Marcus, okay?—lost his dog and how that story connected to the local shelter's funding crisis?" I asked him. He didn't have an answer. Which... yeah. Fair enough.

You see, news isn't just information. It's about people. It's about understanding the why behind the what. And honestly, I think we're losing sight of that.

The Digital Dilemma

Back in the day, we had deadlines. Real ones. Not these "publish whenever" nonsense we see today. I remember staying up until 2am with Dave—colleague named Dave, not the one from accounting—to finish a piece on the city's budget crisis. We cared about getting it right.

Now? It's all about clicks. And don't even get me started on the aquisition of news outlets by tech giants. It's like watching your favorite diner turn into a Starbucks. Sure, it's convenient, but where's the soul?

I get it, though. The industry's changing. I've had to adapt. Hell, I've even started a newsletter. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna compromise on quality. No way, no how.

Making It Work

So what's the secret to surviving in this crazy world? Passion. Yeah, it's a cliché, but it's true. You gotta love this stuff. And you gotta be smart about it.

Take commercial real estate, for example. It's not exactly sexy, but it's important. And if you're gonna cover it, you better know your stuff. That's why I always recommend checking out a commercial property investment guide or two. You never know what you'll learn.

Oh, and diversify. Write a blog, start a podcast, heck, even try your hand at TikTok. Just don't sell out. Please, for the love of all that's holy, don't sell out.

A Quick Tangent: The Weather

You know what really grinds my gears? When local news spends 20 minutes on the weather. Like, I get it, we need to know if it's gonna rain. But must we hear about the "feels like" temperature seven different ways? It's weather, not brain surgery.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, staying relevant.

Look, I'm not gonna lie. It's tough out there. But it's also exciting. There's so much to cover, so many stories to tell. And someone's gotta do it. Might as well be us.

So here's to the next 21 years. May they be filled with fewer spelling errors and more great stories. And maybe, just maybe, a little less chaos.

About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in the news industry. She's worked for major publications and currently contributes to Digimediapub. When she's not chasing stories, she's probably arguing about grammar or trying to convince someone to watch a documentary with her.