So, as Vincent and I were sitting in a local coffee shop this morning I overheard a woman's conversation about Good Morning America. She started to rant about the Royal Baby and how that isn't news. Then, she started to rant about a new segment they have called "What's Trending?"
Ring a bell? Hundreds, if not thousands, of you have the same feelings on a daily basis. It appears that TV News cares more about the Royal Baby than pressing issues in your community or our Country for that matter. Wait, is that true?
Here's the thing: Majority of reporters don't want to be reporting on the Royal Baby either. And I'm a reporter that loves happy news! But, the fact of the matter is.. it generates clicks and shares on the web and social media sites. That's why it's in your face.
(Yes, I consider myself a social media nerd. So, chances are I would love a segment on What's Trending. Wait.. I've been there. It was probably my favorite segment I've ever done. I felt in my element. But, I do realize this doesn't appeal to everyone.)
How many times was that story about city council retweeted? None. How many times did that story about the Flying Squirrel get shared? 2,000. Oh ok.. there's your answer folks.
Time and time again I hear my colleagues talk about how much TV News has changed. I hear my close friends in the business ask themselves all the time if this is the career they really want for the rest of their lives.
For the most part, I consider myself and these friends "news hounds." We love to dig up stories, we love to report on the problems in your city, county. First on the scene? Yep, we live for that. We live for Breaking News. We want every detail and we want it now.
We analyze every newscast in our area. We watch National news to see how we can improve. But, in the end local news just isn't the same and it's not on the national level either.
If you're like me, you had college professors that are considered "old school." You were virtually trained to report and anchor in a certain way. You know what news is. You live for that adrenaline rush every day. You never start a story off in past tense and you NEVER use the world allegedly. (Thank Goodness for these Professors. I wouldn't be as prepared for this TV world if it wasn't for them)
It's a different world and we knew what we were getting into. But, is it just me or do you as a reporter still question if you love what you do? Is it the hours? The job? The dedication? Why is there doubt among so many young professional reporters?
Are we just the generation of wanting something more? Wanting to move above and beyond every second of every day??
So many questions.. not enough answers. But, that's just the story of my life and my career. No one can ever answer enough questions.
The doubt isn't a generational thing. We all face the crossroads.
ReplyDeleteThe time is coming, probably about two years hence, when you'll ask yourself "when did I become among the oldest folks in the newsroom, rather than the youngest." Once you hit that 27-32 age range, coworkers bail. In droves. Maybe it's over money. Maybe it's disillusionment with the business and the people in it. Maybe it's deciding that the sacrifices of time, family, personal life, and in some cases, self-respect, simply aren't worth it.
A former colleague, Don Schroeder (a 'lifer', whose stints included 3 years as Sports Reporter for 'Today')opined "there are only two kinds of TV stations; bad ones, and REALLY bad ones. We're fortunate to work for only a bad tv station." Point being--the faces may change, but the challenges change only in degree.
News has gone fast-food. What tempers the exhilaration of getting it 'now' is knowing that many of the entrees lack taste and nutritional value. Multiple platforms mean exponentially more opportunities to get it wrong (see Connecticut school shootings and Boston Marathon Bombing for concrete examples). Most journalists are idealists; we simply mask those starry eyes in cynicism. It helps us get by, when our efforts fall short.
Local news has always 'been evolving.' WKYT's Bureau Reporters were still using CP-16 film cameras and typewriters during my first internship in 1982. Fully ENG and computerized by 1984, SAT truck by '88, non-linear by '99, fully digital by 2009.
Only this time, the 'next stage' isn't clear yet. The bosses are caught up in tools, toys, and catch phrases. 'Social media.' 'Multiple platforms.' Meh.
But once folks get over their fascination with toys and their edifice complexes, CONTENT IS KING. CONTENT, COMING FROM SOMEBODY THEY KNOW AND TRUST, RATHER THAN SOME ANONYMOUS TEXTER, BLOGGER, ETC.
But will you and I be patient enough, persistent enough, to still be here when it gets there?
Gordon Boyd
TvNewsVet@yahoo.com
When it comes to social media from news organizations, there is no tease, no push to see the "full story" at six. There is no need for me to watch the news because it's all provided on my facebook feed or app. Get me hooked, then I'll watch. Right now, all promotions outside of TV are geared toward my generation (25-35ish). Those promotions aren't promoting the news. Not even a little bit. The whole story is available before it's ever reported live. Why watch? I've already read about it.
ReplyDeleteBesides news, local or national, is repetitive. If something happens nationally, ie Boston bombing, you can set your clock by the "local reaction" stories. And you can bet the A block will revolve around it. It's boring and it's all the time. I'd rather hear human interest stories than the MOS from a Walmart parking lot.
Reporters aren't the only professionals who question. Everyone does. It's part of life, but life is short. If you hate your job, find another. Everyone should be able to pursue passion.
Hope you're well :)
Elizabeth Ardman