Let’s Talk About News, Kid

Look, I’ve been around the block. Started this gig back in ’98, fresh out of uni, green than a lime. First job? The Dundee Courier. Yeah, it’s still around. Barely. Honestly, I’m not sure how. But that’s a story for another time.

I’ve seen alot change. The internet, social media, blogs, citizen journalists. It’s like the Wild West out there. And, frankly, I’m not sure if it’s all been good. But here we are.

Last Tuesday, I was at the Dundee News office, sipping terrible coffee from the machine that’s probably older than some of our interns. I mean, it’s bad. But it’s my bad. You know what I mean?

Anyway, I was thinking about how news has changed. And not always for the better. Let me tell you why.

When News Was News

Back in the day, news was simple. You had your reporters, your editors, your printers. You had deadlines. Real ones. Not like today where everyone’s chasing clicks and likes. It was about committment, about telling stories that mattered.

I remember this one time, back in 2003, I was covering a story about a small town called Aberfoyle. Population: 567. Big scandal. The local bakery was selling slightly stale bread. I kid you not. But to those people, it was huge. And it was my job to tell that story.

Now, would any national outlet touch that? Nope. But that’s the point. Local news matters. It’s the lifeblood of communities. And it’s dying. Slowly, painfully.

The Digital Dilemma

And don’t get me started on the digital age. It’s a double-edged sword, it is. On one hand, it’s never been easier to get information out there. On the other, it’s never been harder to make a living doing it.

I was talking to a colleague named Dave the other day. Dave’s a good guy. Been in the game longer than me. He said, “Marcus, we’re in trouble.” (Let’s call him Marcus. His real name’s not important.)

“Why’s that?” I asked.

“Because nobody’s paying for news anymore,” he said. “They want it for free. And advertisers? They’d rather throw their money at Facebook and Google. It’s a completley broken system.”

Which… yeah. Fair enough. I mean, look at the numbers. Local newspapers have lost more than half their print advertising revenue since 2005. Half! And it’s only getting worse.

But here’s the thing: people still need news. They need to know what’s happening in their communities. They need to know about the school board meetings, the potholes, the local sports results news today (sports results news today). They need to know about the bread in Aberfoyle.

The Human Factor

And that’s where the human factor comes in. Because news isn’t just about facts and figures. It’s about people. It’s about telling stories that connect with readers on a emotional level.

I remember this one story I wrote back in 2010. It was about a young girl, let’s call her Emma, who was diagnosed with leukemia. The community rallied around her. They raised money, they prayed, they sent her letters. It was beautiful. And it was news.

But would a national outlet have covered it? Probably not. It wasn’t big enough, wasn’t shocking enough. But to the people of Dundee, it mattered. And that’s what local news is all about.

But here’s the kicker: it’s getting harder and harder to tell those stories. Because newsrooms are shrinking. Reporters are overworked. And the pressure to chase clicks is amending the way we do journalism.

A Tangent: The Weather

Speaking of pressure, can we talk about the weather for a second? I mean, honestly, I’m so sick of weather stories. “Breaking: It’s raining in Dundee!” No kidding, Sherlock. But here’s the thing: people love them. They click on them. And that’s the problem.

I was at a conference in Austin a few years back, and this big-shot editor from a national paper was talking about how they’d started a weather blog. A weather blog! I mean, come on. It’s not rocket science. But it gets views. And that’s what matters, right?

Wrong. But that’s a rant for another time.

What Can We Do?

So, what’s the answer? I’m not sure. But I know it starts with supporting local news. Subscribing to your local paper. Telling your friends to do the same. Because if we don’t, who will?

And it’s not all doom and gloom. There are success stories out there. The Texas Tribune, for example. They’re a non-profit, digital-only news outlet. And they’re killing it. They’ve got 87 full-time employees, they’re profitable, and they’re telling important stories.

But they’re the exception, not the rule. And that’s a shame. Because the world needs more good journalism. Not less.

Anyway, I’m gonna wrap this up. It’s 11:30pm, and I’ve got an early meeting tomorrow. About the weather, probably.

But before I go, let me leave you with this: News matters. It always has, it always will. And it’s our job, as journalists, to make sure it’s done right. Even if it’s about slightly stale bread.

About the Author: I’m Sarah McKenzie, senior editor at Dundee News. I’ve been in this game for 20+ years, and I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m passionate about local news, and I believe it’s the lifeblood of our communities. When I’m not chasing stories, you can find me at the local pub, complaining about the weather.