Doom and Gloom in the Newsroom

When I start writing these posts, I usually don’t have a clear-cut idea of what I want to say. More often than not, I begin writing because I want to explore an idea or because another writer’s words made me stop and think.

Today, I am writing simply because I stumbled upon Journalism Is Dead, “a collection of alarmist, bombastic and otherwise humorous quotes about why journalism as an industry is dead”.

(Pictured at left: We get the point, by vortistic)

I’m pretty sure that Mark S. Luckie, the guy behind this site and 10,000 Words, is trying to poke fun at the issue, but every time I refresh the page, my stomach sinks. “Just in case no-one told you, printed newspapers are dead.” “Newspapers are DEAD, done now stop being surprised about it.”

Yo, everyone needs to settle down. Settle down!

I wholeheartedly believe that the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and with integrity is one of the most valuable skills a person can possess. In order to maintain a peaceful and organized society, we must be able to communicate with one another.

Not everyone is a stellar communicator (not everyone has to be!), but certain people interpret, translate, compile, compose, and transmit messages on society’s behalf. Those people are JOURNALISTS in some way, shape, or form.

Whether these gifted communicators are writing for a NEWSPAPER or for a BLOG, these people are TELLING STORIES. The most coherent stories are the ones that readers will read. The stories written by the most trusted communicators will be the most valuable.

(Pictured at right: Some people are good at telling stories, by kodomut)

The story dictates the way it needs to be told. Today’s stories require a different mode of telling.

So seriously, calm down.