What it's Really Like Working in Local Journalism
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
Uh, oh. The tea is boiling and it’s going to get spilled everywhere.
Disclaimer: I am not writing this post to spread negativity or bad-mouth my colleagues. I am not here to defame anyone, since I do not want to be held liable for spreading information that can be deemed false. I am here to tell my story and my professional experience working in the local news industry and how it needs to change.
My last business story on the Shenandoah Valley Art Center extension I wrote for the paper.
I got two words for you when I think of local journalism: HARD. WORK.
After graduating from Old Dominion University with an English degree in 2021, I began searching for two and a half months for a news reporting job or a job in communications. Let me tell you—I spent nights praying, crying and constantly hoping that I will get a dream job as a reporter. But, it was insanely hard. Either the journalism job chose a candidate better than me or they were hiring/promoting someone from within. It was a mix of reasons why nearly no one wanted to offer me a role and I almost wanted to give up on my dreams to help save journalism.
However, I eventually received an offer to be a business and education reporter from The News Virginian, a small newspaper based in Waynesboro, VA, which is about 25 minutes away from Charlottesville and an hour and a half from Richmond.
Working for the News Virginian was and still is one of the greatest achievements of my life. The feeling of holding the title of a professional reporter was amazing. Through my employer, I was a member of the Associated Press and Virginia Press Association—which meant I had connections nationally and my articles were able to be seen in many newspaper outlets, I had creative input to what kind of stories to put out every day or during the weekends, and I’ve made MANY journalist friends who were willing to help me and had shoulders to cry on when needed be. I held that title with so much pride. I felt like almost every day was a mission and was never considered “work.” I loved representing and sharing the stories of minority groups within the Valley, telling stories of the Valley’s prosperity through business openings and the growing house market, and sharing the most adorable featured stories of Waynesboro schools and the programs it provides for students.
Memories!
I made sure I gave every part of what I had to this job. I loved my position so much that I was willing to protect it and my work, regardless.
My editor and I would often butt heads with one another because I was overprotective of my work and I hated it when he made the edits—which he was supposed to make—don’t get me wrong. But, it was MY work, I didn’t want anyone’s writing style reflecting off MY work, regardless of how long the sentences were or how wrong my AP writing style was. When an article is mine, IT. IS. MINE.
So, I left.
I left because I saw the reality of how terrible the newspaper industry is. Yeah, I said it, the news industry is terrible. It’s a no-brainer. I’ve said this way too many times. People—including every journalist—know how awful the industry is. The pay was terrible, the hours were unstable and the work environment did not fit into my personality as almost everyone was MUCH older than I was. There was no moment for team building, the editorial team did not have any newsroom structure or any organization AT ALL. First, the corporation the paper works under required us to do mini-videos for each article we wrote (which is one of the most idiotic ideas because this wasn’t a TV news station, it was a newspaper.) Second, the corporation came with another round of layoffs and furlough—my editor was one of the furlough employees. Thankfully, he was only furloughed for a short time and was back on track with the team right after. Third, I dodged a big bullet when the corporation announced on Monday that six papers—including the News Virginian—will print three days a week, instead of daily. Sounds great, right? Hell, no. There have been reports of more and more layoffs due to cutting costs over a messy takeover bid by hedge fund Alden Capital Group and my former employer might be one of them very soon.
While I loved my time there at the paper, I have never felt so embarrassed to work under a news corporation that is failing miserably no matter what they do to make it right.
Here’s What Needs to Be Changed
Leadership.
About more than half of editors I’ve known and seen from other newspapers DO NOT have strong leadership skills because the corporations they work under DO NOT encourage it. While there are some amazing editors who believe in the mission of saving local journalism, others are overworked due to low staffing, often have to work late nights in order to make the print deadlines, lack knowledge of managing a team, and abuse their position of power. Doesn’t mean an employee is promoted from within the company, does NOT mean they shouldn’t undergo extensive leadership and management training. Being an editor is extremely hard. They are reporters, proofreaders, copyeditors, page designers, team managers and leaders all mashed up into one position. Get it together, corporate, and have editors be the leader for their team that they need to be.
Better Pay for Staff Writers
For the love of God, it is 2023. Learn how to protect your employees by offering them what they’re worth. It’s easy for people to say, ‘You’re in it for the money.’ Journalists are not here to be rich. News corporations need to realize that when they are paying for a reporter to come on board, it is not just about the experience level. It is about the value they place on their job, the time and research they’ve invested into a story, AND how they’re going to be able to live off that salary. How do journalism jobs require an applicant with a four-year college degree, as well as extensive journalism experience, BUT offer less than $30,000 annual pay? WHO CAN LIVE WITH THAT SALARY IN THIS DAY AND AGE?
Mentorship for Younger Journalists.
This goes back to number one. Seasoned journalists should not always have to provide mentorship opportunities outside their companies. The company should provide journalism mentorship and more engaging training resources for people who just started the job. In this way, cub reporters won’t feel overwhelmed or lost. The mentorship should provide connections, sources and be able to there to take over in times of need. If there is no mentorship, cub reporters would not have ANYONE to look up to.
Value Your Employees.
You’ll never know how little or big when an employer expresses their appreciation for you for your hard work. Whether if it’s snacks and coffee in the cafeteria or annual award conferences, reporters need to feel valued in their work. News has gotten such a bad stigma these days due to right-wing politicians and activists using fear-mongering tactics, misinformation being spread and the rise of citizen journalism. News corporations do not care about valuing their employees, that’s why there’s such a big turnover rate with younger and older reporters. News is hard work. You’ll never know how much a “good job on this story,” can impact a reporter.
Here’s How YOU Can Help Save Local Journalism
SUPPORT. INDEPENDENT. JOURNALISTS.
Independent journalism is a type of journalism that is not owned, operated or funded by any news agency. They are most often respected within the journalism community because these journalists used to work within an agency. Independent journalism also helps bring a diverse array of opinions and viewpoints, as well as bringing editorial freedom from any government or corporate entity. I am an independent journalist because I own a news and blog “agency.” While a handful of my stories may be opinionated, another mix will be full of research-based content pertaining to the niche I am writing about.
Keep Up with Your Local News
Local news is just as important as national news. I will forever support local news because of the impact it places on the community. I can’t tell you how many stories my former colleagues wrote that helped pushed for change within the locality. It is insanely important to be informed of what is going on around you. The news can be negative, but look around, the most positive stories are often found in local papers. If people can support local businesses, then you might as well support your local news. In fact, local news is the one sharing an intimate story about why this business owner decided to do a start-up (I.E. I DID THIS SO MANY TIMES!)
Join Us.
We welcome people who are willing to contribute impactful stories and share stories about underrepresented groups. Having a diverse community of journalists will bring many perspectives in the news, from content writing to hard news topics. We need people who want to make a change in this dying industry. So, join us.
This is the first and last time I will ever talk about my former job. I do not wish to be affiliated with this company any longer.
—Paula J.P.
Author’s Note: Article has been updated.
