PETERS: Journalism is not healthy. Neither are journalists

The elements exist for journalism as a pursuit to survive just fine. There are a lot of people who still want to tell good stories and a lot of people who want to read them, hear them, or watch them unfold. And there is an endless supply of fodder for good stories.

But still, journalism as an entity is ill.

We in the Western world value pursuits largely by their capacity to turn a profit. Journalism has become less and less profitable, and so the perception grows that it has diminishing value.

Global trends in media consumption are changing faster than most of us can grasp.

Not only is it ill, but journalism is also under attack.

Losers of elections, losers of culture wars, losers in life blame the messengers, the news media, for their defeats.

A study published earlier this year found trust in media declined in 16 of 27 countries. In 15 of those countries, fewer than 50 per cent of respondents indicated they trusted the media.

Most journalists get into the business because, as we discussed earlier, they want to tell stories. They’re taught to do that in a way that is truthful, fair and sensitive. And yet, they find their vocation under attack.

Meantime, studies around the industry’s response to COVID-19 have found significant levels of anxiety and trauma in the profession.

Add it all up and we have to conclude — journalism is not all right, but neither are journalists.

It’s incumbent on those of us who take leadership in newsrooms to ensure their journalists are able to lead balanced lives.

It’s the best way to boost the proverbial immune system of this unhealthy industry.

Journalism has a life worth fighting for.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: Journalism is not healthy. Neither are journalists

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