As a retired/recovering journalist, there was a time (10+ years ago) that I supervised young reporters at a small daily newspaper. What struck me was the lack of competition among the reporters. It wasn't only that they lacked the "fire in the belly" to beat the atrocious local TV reporters, but they didn't even seem to care if their sto…
As a retired/recovering journalist, there was a time (10+ years ago) that I supervised young reporters at a small daily newspaper. What struck me was the lack of competition among the reporters. It wasn't only that they lacked the "fire in the belly" to beat the atrocious local TV reporters, but they didn't even seem to care if their stories were good enough/important enough for page 1. I never once heard a reporter complain that his story was more important than a co-worker's story, or better written, "So why isn't MY story on page 1?"
I found this puzzling since Back When I Was a Reporter, there was a competitive tension in the newsroom.
I attribute this cultural change to the Participation Trophy mentality, the abolition of school Honor Roll (that was once even published in local newspapers!). This new generation seemed to drift through life with no sense of urgency.
So, I offer this observation to add to the destruction of media today. The media are part of one big club, with everyone sitting at the Cool Kids' Table.
Your note took me back. I grew up in a relatively rural area of Western PA and the town's weekly newspaper would print the Honor Roll for both junior high schools and the senior high school. It was one of the bricks in a wall of Community.
Yes it was! My family owned a neighborhood retail store and knew all their customers. Dad always reported when customers told him that they'd seen my name on the Honor Roll printed in the local weekly newspaper.
It also printed the names & photos of graduating seniors when they chose what college to attend, as well as graduating seniors who enlisted in the military.
I tried to print the local schools' Honor Rolls when I became a newspaper editor. The school guidance departments said, "We don't do that any more. It makes the other students feel bad."
Great. Hurt feelings trump celebration of achievement.
Oh, how times have changed! My teachers were quite forward about telling one that he had not made the honor roll that term. They thought of it as motivation as I'm sure yours did.
I think the current crew grew up dreaming of becoming Woodward and Bernstein, entitled to attend Georgetown soirées and dress up in tuxes at the White House correspondents’ dinner. So they have just become self-satisfied stooges, as this piece attests. I am only relieved that Matt and his pals are courageous old time reporters.
I'm confident many of them have no knowledge of Woodward and/or Bernstein. Much less Daniel Ellsberg, who BTW has only months to live. Who will write his obituary? Certainly not these nincompoops.
As a retired/recovering journalist, there was a time (10+ years ago) that I supervised young reporters at a small daily newspaper. What struck me was the lack of competition among the reporters. It wasn't only that they lacked the "fire in the belly" to beat the atrocious local TV reporters, but they didn't even seem to care if their stories were good enough/important enough for page 1. I never once heard a reporter complain that his story was more important than a co-worker's story, or better written, "So why isn't MY story on page 1?"
I found this puzzling since Back When I Was a Reporter, there was a competitive tension in the newsroom.
I attribute this cultural change to the Participation Trophy mentality, the abolition of school Honor Roll (that was once even published in local newspapers!). This new generation seemed to drift through life with no sense of urgency.
So, I offer this observation to add to the destruction of media today. The media are part of one big club, with everyone sitting at the Cool Kids' Table.
It's pitiful.
Your note took me back. I grew up in a relatively rural area of Western PA and the town's weekly newspaper would print the Honor Roll for both junior high schools and the senior high school. It was one of the bricks in a wall of Community.
Yes it was! My family owned a neighborhood retail store and knew all their customers. Dad always reported when customers told him that they'd seen my name on the Honor Roll printed in the local weekly newspaper.
It also printed the names & photos of graduating seniors when they chose what college to attend, as well as graduating seniors who enlisted in the military.
I tried to print the local schools' Honor Rolls when I became a newspaper editor. The school guidance departments said, "We don't do that any more. It makes the other students feel bad."
Great. Hurt feelings trump celebration of achievement.
Oh, how times have changed! My teachers were quite forward about telling one that he had not made the honor roll that term. They thought of it as motivation as I'm sure yours did.
I think the current crew grew up dreaming of becoming Woodward and Bernstein, entitled to attend Georgetown soirées and dress up in tuxes at the White House correspondents’ dinner. So they have just become self-satisfied stooges, as this piece attests. I am only relieved that Matt and his pals are courageous old time reporters.
I'm confident many of them have no knowledge of Woodward and/or Bernstein. Much less Daniel Ellsberg, who BTW has only months to live. Who will write his obituary? Certainly not these nincompoops.
Or else they'll consult Wikipedia.