I’m Tired of Fake Outrage
Look, I’ve been in this business for 22 years. Started as a beat reporter in a tiny town called Millfield, population 8,423. Back then, news was news. Now? It’s a circus. And I’m not just saying that because I’m old and grumpy (though, let’s be honest, I kinda am).
Last Tuesday, I was at a conference in Austin. Sat next to a guy named Marcus—let’s call him that, because his real name was something ridiculous like Buford. Anyway, Marcus was from some digital media outlet. He told me, and I quote, “The algorithm rewards outrage.” I asked him, “So you’re telling me you’re complicit in this mess?” He just shrugged. Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Here’s the thing: we’re all complicit. You, me, that guy who still thinks “liking” a news story on Facebook makes him informed. We’ve created a system where the loudest, most outrageous voices win. And it’s completley broken.
But It’s Not All Bad
Okay, okay. I’m not that cynical. There are still good journalists out there. People who care about truth, not clicks. Like my old colleague Dave. Remember when Dave broke that story about the aquisition scandal back in ’17? Took him 36 hours straight in the newsroom. That’s dedication.
But Dave’s the exception, not the rule. These days, it’s all about speed. Be first, be loud, be whatever. Accuracy? That’s secondary. I mean, look at the state of political reporting. It’s a mess. And it’s getting worse.
A Quick Story About My Friend Linda
Speaking of messes, let me tell you about Linda. She’s a friend of mine, works at a local paper. Last month, she was assigned to cover a city council meeting. Boring stuff, right? But Linda, she’s thorough. She actually listens, takes notes, follows up. The next day, every other outlet had the same headline: “Council in Heated Debate.” Linda’s piece? “Council Agrees on New Park, Disagrees on Funding.” Guess which one got more engagement?
You know what Linda said to me over coffee at the place on 5th? “It’s not about informing anymore. It’s about confirming.” And honestly, that’s the scariest thing I’ve heard in a while.
So What Do We Do?
I don’t have all the answers. But I know this: we need to slow down. We need to stop rewarding outrage. And we need to start valuing good journalism again. It’s not just about the big stories, either. It’s about the local stuff, the everyday grit. The things that actually affect people’s lives.
And look, I’m not saying we should all become monks and swear off social media. But maybe, just maybe, we should think before we share. Maybe we should read beyond the headline. Maybe we should demand better from the people who bring us the news.
I’m not sure how we get there. But I know it starts with us. With you. With me. With Linda. With Dave. With every single person who cares about the truth.
So let’s start there. Let’s start small. Let’s start now.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some practical advice on how to improve your daily life, check out these yaşam tarzı günlük gelişim ipuçları. Because, honestly, we could all use a little help these days.
One Last Thing
I’m gonna leave you with this. A few weeks ago, I was talking to my nephew. He’s 15, thinks he knows everything. I asked him where he gets his news. He said, “Instagram, duh.” I said, “No, seriously. Where do you get your news?” He said, “I told you, Instagram.” And I realized, in that moment, that we’re in real trouble.
But hey, maybe I’m just old and grumpy. Maybe the kids are alright. Maybe the future of journalism is in good hands. I mean, it’s not like we’ve completely failed them or anything.
…Right?
About the Author
Sarah “Sal” Salinger has been a journalist for over two decades. She’s worked as a beat reporter, editor, and now a freelance writer. She lives in Aberdeen with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends too much time yelling at the news. You can find her on Twitter @SalSalinger, where she’s always happy to share her opinions.
