Journalism isn’t dying

Apparently, in two weeks I will be graduating college… for good this time. Apparently, there will be no more classes, no more homework assignments, and no more school-related complaints. Apparently, I’m entering the “real world” in just 14 short days. This phenomenon is something I haven’t quite been able to wrap my head around because I’ve been a student for the last 16 years – nearly all my life. 

Yet, as the daunting date of graduation comes closer, many people have graciously shared their opinions on what my post-graduation life should look like. During most of these lectures, there is a panicky and disapproving face that comes after I say I’m looking for news reporting jobs. Each time, the critical face then says … 

“Isn’t journalism a dying field?” 

The notion that journalism is dying comes from alarming signs such as strong cutbacks and layoffs in the field as well as the proliferation of social media influencers distributing news. 

In January 2024 alone, over 500 journalists were laid off, according to Politico. Many outlets called this a “Mainstream Media Bloodbath” because it included cuts from major news outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Business Insider and more well-known newspapers. The LA Times laid off a staggering 20% of its workers and Time let about 15% of its editorial staff go (Shafer). Around this time, many newspaper employees at Conde Nast, Forbes and the New York Daily News also embarked on protests to prevent the cutbacks, leaving many people to consider the possibility of “journalism extinction”. Furthermore, the news industry also let go of 3,087 digital, broadcast and print news jobs in 2023 (Shafer). This was the highest annual total number of layoffs since back in 2020 when the pandemic forced many cuts (Frazier). 

Many journalists have begun to fear that these cuts are foreshadowing a grim, and near fate. According to many well-known journalists, the problems started with the dawn of the digital age, particularly in the beginning of the 2000s. As audiences began transitioning to the internet, the news also had to make this transition. However, the shift to online had a stronger pull than I think most people predicted because now the online presence dominates television numbers dramatically. According to the Pew Research Center, most people get their news from their phones. About 86% of U.S. adults say they get their news from a smartphone, computer or tablet “often” or “sometimes”. This is higher than television, with 68% of people saying they get their news from TV “often” or “sometimes” (Shearer). 

This means that not only is the digital age creating cutbacks with newspapers, but it’s also creating layoffs in broadcast news industries as well. 

With all of these statistics as well as my current experience as a news station employee, there’s no arguing the fact that the digital age can swallow the way we share news right now. However, I am a firm believer that the news industry itself can never go away. 

Average people rely more on news than they think, and without it, a lack of knowing what is going on, would cause the world to suffer. There would be no exposure of wrong-doing, war, poverty, or corruption – and in turn, no motive to elicit change and ameliorate society. The health of society and democracy is intricately tied to the health of journalism (Martínez). 

Yet, the platform in which journalists share news is dwindling and news stations need to move quickly to stay on top of the changing times. Many stations, including the one I work at, have begun putting a stronger emphasis on developing its digital team and analyzing Google Trends and website analytics in recent years. 

The move toward digital represents a strategic and adaptable approach for news stations to continue telling stories that matter. I’m a firm believer that a news story has the power to make a strong impact in the community. One story can change the world. 

So yes, isn’t journalism a dying field? No. Journalism is a changing field. Yes, there are cutbacks and layoffs but to combat these, there is also a shift in focus, a determination for adaptability, and a tangible passion held here that is unlike any other field I know. The field of journalism could never go extinct, only the means in which stories are told. 

Citations 

Frazier, Kierra. “Over 500 journalists were laid off in January 2024 alone.” Politico, 1 February 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/01/journalism-layoffs-00138517. Accessed 28 April 2024.

Martínez, Antonio García. “Journalism Isn't Dying. It's Returning to Its Roots.” WIRED, 10 February 2019, https://www.wired.com/story/journalism-isnt-dying-its-returning-its-roots/. Accessed 28 April 2024.

Shafer, Jack. “The News Business Really Is Cratering - POLITICO.” Politico, 27 January 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/01/27/is-the-journalism-death-spasm-finally-here-00138187. Accessed 28 April 2024.

Shearer, Elisa. “86% of Americans get news online from smartphone, computer or tablet.” Pew Research Center, 12 January 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/01/12/more-than-eight-in-ten-americans-get-news-from-digital-devices/. Accessed 28 April 2024.