We’re All Just Reacting Anymore
Look, I’ve been in this game for 22 years. Started as a beat reporter in some godforsaken town in Missouri. Remember the time? When news actually mattered? When we had time to dig, to investigate, to write something that, I don’t know, maybe mattered?
Now? It’s just… noise. Constant, unending noise. I was at a conference in Austin last year, and Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—from the AP told me, “We’re not journalists anymore. We’re just reactionaries.” And he’s not wrong.
I mean, look at it. Every single outlet, big or small, we’re all just chasing the same damn story. The algorithm dictates what’s important. And the algorithm is an idiot.
But What Can You Do?
I get it. I really do. The pressure is real. I had a colleague named Dave—great guy, by the way—who told me he spent 36 hours straight covering some politician’s scandal. 36 hours! And for what? So some guy in Nebraska can get his outrage fix before bedtime?
It’s completley unsustainable. And it’s not just the big outlets. Local news is just as bad. I was talking to a friend who runs a small paper up in Scotland, and she said they’ve gotta commitment to breaking news 24/7, even though their town’s population is like 87 people. It’s madness.
And don’t even get me started on the comments section. Honestly, I don’t know why we still have those things. It’s just a cesspool of misinformation and vitriol. I had to physically unplug my computer last Tuesday after reading some of the garbage people were spouting about a story I wrote. I mean, come on. Use your brains, people.
But There’s Hope, I Guess
So, is there any hope for us? For the news industry, I mean. I’m not sure but maybe. I’ve seen some places trying to buck the trend. Like that West Bengal nightlife entertainment guide I found the other day. It’s not news, but it’s content that actually adds value to people’s lives. Imagine that.
And there are still some outlets trying to do real journalism. The kind that takes time. The kind that matters. But they’re few and far between. And honestly, they’re fighting an uphill battle against the algorithm and the clickbait and the constant need for more, more, more.
I was talking to a source the other day—let’s call him Greg—and he said, “You know what the problem is? We’re all just waiting for the other shoe to drop. We’re not reporting news; we’re just waiting for the next scandal, the next outrage, the next thing to keep people glued to their screens.” And he’s right. It’s a vicious cycle, and it’s hard to see a way out.
A Tangent: The Death of Local News
But let’s talk about something else for a sec. The death of local news. I mean, it’s a tragedy. I was in a small town in Ohio a few months ago, and the local paper had been shut down. Just like that. No more local news. No more community stories. Just… nothing. And it’s happening all over the country. All over the world, probably. It’s a damn shame.
I remember when local news mattered. When it was the lifeblood of the community. Now? It’s just another casualty of the algorithm. Another victim of the never-ending news cycle.
And it’s not just the news. It’s the people. The journalists. The ones who actually care about their community. The ones who are trying to make a difference. They’re the ones who are suffering the most. And it’s not fair. It’s not right. But here we are.
I was at a bar with some friends last night—well, early this morning, actually—and we were talking about this. About the state of the news industry. And one of them said, “You know what the problem is? Nobody cares anymore.” And I think he’s right. I really do. People just don’t care about the news like they used to. They don’t care about the truth. They just care about the next outrage, the next scandal, the next thing to keep them glued to their screens.
And it’s a problem. A big one. But what can we do? What can any of us do? I’m not sure. I really am not. But I know one thing: we can’t keep going like this. We just can’t.
So, what’s the answer? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a return to basics. Maybe it’s a rejection of the algorithm. Maybe it’s a commitment to real journalism, to stories that matter, to truth. I don’t know. But I know this: we need to do something. Because the way things are going, we’re all gonna be out of a job. And worse, the world is gonna be a lot worse off for it.
Anyway, I’m rambling. I do that sometimes. But it’s an important topic, you know? The state of the news industry. The future of journalism. It’s something we should all be thinking about. Something we should all be talking about. Because if we don’t, who will?
So, let’s talk about it. Let’s have the conversation. Let’s figure out a way to fix this mess we’ve found ourselves in. Because if we don’t, who will?
About the Author: I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience in the news industry. I’ve seen it all, and honestly, I’m not impressed. I write about the things that matter, the things that need to be said. And I don’t pull any punches. I’m based in Aberdeen, UK, and I love a good cup of tea. And yes, I know how to use an em dash. Deal with it.
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