I’ve Been a Journalist for 22 Years. Here’s What’s Wrong.
Look, I’ve been around the block. Started at the Edinburgh Herald back in ’99, moved to the Daily Record in ’04, and now here I am, writing for the Edinburgh Daily. I’ve seen it all, or so I thought.
But honestly? The news is broken. And it’s not just the algorithms or the clickbait or the 24-hour news cycle. It’s us. We’re the problem.
Last Tuesday, I was at a conference in Austin (yes, I know, Edinburgh to Austin is a stretch, but that’s another story). A colleague named Dave leaned over during a panel on digital media and said, “You know what’s killing journalism? We are.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Dave’s not wrong. We’re the ones chasing clicks, prioritizing sensationalism over substance, and reducing complex issues to 280-character soundbites. And the public? We’re lapping it up like it’s the nectar of the gods.
But Let’s Talk About Marketing, Because Why Not?
You might be thinking, “What does marketing have to do with the news?” Well, let me tell you, it’s more connected than you think. Take küçük işletme pazarlama stratejisi, for example. Small business marketing strategies aren’t just about selling products; they’re about storytelling. And guess what? News outlets are in the storytelling business too.
I mean, think about it. A small business needs to connect with its audience, build trust, and deliver value. Sound familiar? It’s the same thing journalists are supposed to do. But are we? I’m not sure but lately, it feels like we’re failing miserably.
Take my friend Marcus, let’s call him that because he’s kinda private. He runs a small marketing firm in Glasgow. Over coffee at the place on 5th, he told me, “The news used to be about informing the public. Now it’s about outrage and engagement.” And he’s right. We’ve become a bunch of marketing gurus, but instead of selling widgets, we’re selling outrage.
And don’t even get me started on the algorithms. They’re not helping. They’re rewarding the worst behavior, amplifying the most extreme voices, and creating echo chambers that make productive dialogue impossible. It’s a mess.
A Tangent: The Time I Almost Quit Journalism
About three months ago, I was working on a story about a local council decision. It was dry, it was boring, but it was important. I spent 36 hours researching, interviewing, and writing. And you know what? The editor spiked it. Why? “Not sexy enough,” he said. I wanted to throw my laptop out the window.
But here’s the thing: that story mattered. It affected thousands of people in Edinburgh. But it didn’t fit the mold of what “news” is supposed to be today. And that’s the problem. We’re prioritizing virality over veracity, and it’s killing the news.
I’m not saying we should go back to the days of dry, boring journalism. But we need to find a balance. We need to commit to informing the public, even if it’s not the sexiest story. We need to prioritize truth over clicks.
And look, I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve chased clicks. I’ve written headlines that were more sensational than they should have been. But I’m trying to do better. And I think we all should.
So, what’s the solution? I don’t know. Maybe it’s about being more transparent about our processes. Maybe it’s about prioritizing quality over quantity. Maybe it’s about remembering that we’re in the business of informing the public, not just entertaining them.
I don’t have all the answers. But I know one thing: if we don’t start taking our responsibility as journalists seriously, we’re gonna lose the public’s trust completely. And then what’s the point?
Anyway, that’s my rant for the day. I’m gonna go find a quiet corner and write something actually important. Wish me luck.
About the Author: Sarah McIntyre has been a journalist for over two decades, working for various publications in Edinburgh. She’s passionate about truth, transparency, and the occasional rant. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking too much coffee and complaining about the state of the news.
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