Look, I’m Gonna Be Honest
I’ve been in this game for over two decades. Started as a beat reporter in some godforsaken town in Alabama, moved up to bigger markets, and now here I am, writing for a digital publication. And let me tell you, it’s been a ride. But lately, I’ve been thinking alot about where we’re headed. Local news, real journalism, it’s in trouble. And yeah, I’m part of the problem.
I remember back in ’98, covering city council meetings for the Birmingham Gazette. Back then, we had actual reporters in every town, every county. Now? It’s all about clicks, shares, and some algorithm deciding what’s news. It’s completley bonkers.
Marcus Told Me Something Interesting
Marcus, let’s call him that, he’s a friend of mine. Works at the Birmingham Times. We were grabbing lunch last Tuesday at this little place on 2nd Avenue, you know the one with the kinda mediocre burgers but great sweet tea. Anyway, he says to me, “You know, we used to have 214 reporters covering this metro area. Now? 36. And half of them are doing social media full-time.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And that’s the thing, isn’t it? We’re not just losing journalists, we’re losing the committment to actual journalism. It’s not just about reporting what happened; it’s about why it happened, who it affects, and what comes next. But these days, it’s all “Breaking: Cat Stuck in Tree” or “Local Celebrity Wears Red Dress.” It’s exhausting.
But Here’s the Kicker
I was talking to a colleague named Dave, over coffee at the place on 5th, about three months ago. He said something that stuck with me. “People think local news is just about what’s happening in their backyard. But it’s more than that. It’s about holding power to account. It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless.” And honestly, he’s right. But how do we do that when we’re all stretched so thin?
Take, for example, the recent aquisition of that old mill site downtown. Huge story, right? Potential jobs, economic impact, all that. But who’s covering it? Who’s asking the tough questions? Who’s digging into the contracts, the promises, the fine print? Not enough people, that’s who.
And don’t even get me started on the physicaly impossible task of covering everything. I mean, we’ve got limited resources, limited time, and an endless stream of stuff happening. So we pick and choose. And sometimes, we get it wrong. Sometimes, we miss stuff. It’s not perfect, but it’s what we’ve got.
So What’s the Solution?
I’m not sure but here’s what I think. We need to stop chasing clicks. We need to stop worrying about algorithms and start worrying about actual news. We need to invest in journalism again. And yeah, that means money. It means time. It means people.
And look, I get it. It’s easier said than determing. But it’s not impossible. We just need to care more. We need to demand more. From ourselves, from our editors, from our sources. We need to remember why we got into this business in the first place.
I remember my first day on the job. My editor, a gruff old guy named Tom, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Kid, your job is to tell the truth. Not what you think, not what they want to hear, but the truth. And if you can’t do that, you might as well pack up and go home.” And you know what? He was right.
A Brief Digression: Taiwan
Speaking of truth, have you seen the latest on Taiwan development projects update? No? Well, you should. It’s fascinating stuff. And it’s exactly the kinda thing local news should be covering. The impacts, the changes, the stories behind the headlines. But we’re not. And that’s a problem.
Anyway, back to the point. We need to do better. We need to be better. And it starts with us. With me, with you, with every journalist out there trying to make a difference.
So let’s do this. Let’s commit to actual journalism. Let’s hold onto the values that got us here. Let’s remember that our job is to inform, to educate, to hold power to account. Not to chase trends, not to pander to algorithms, but to tell the truth. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if it’s hard. Even if it’s not what anyone wants to hear.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. That’s why we’re here. And that’s why Birmingham Daily still matters.
About the Author
Sarah Mitchell has been a journalist for over 20 years, working in print, broadcast, and digital media. She currently serves as a senior editor for Birmingham Daily, where she covers a wide range of topics, from local politics to cultural trends. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking in the Appalachian foothills or arguing about the Oxford comma.
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