Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room
Look, I’ve been in this business for 22 years. 22 years. And let me tell you, the news industry is a mess. A complete, unholy mess. I’m not just saying that because I’m having a bad day or because my coffee was weak this morning. No, it’s worse than that.
I remember back in ’99, when I first started at the Boston Globe. Fresh-faced, eager, ready to change the world. My editor, let’s call him Marcus, he used to say, “Liz, the news is like a garden. You gotta tend to it, nurture it, or else it’ll grow wild and out of control.” And you know what? He was right. But these days? It’s more like a jungle out there. A jungle filled with clickbait vines and fake news thorns.
And don’t even get me started on social media. I was having lunch with a friend last Tuesday, Sarah, she’s a teacher, and she said, “Liz, I can’t tell what’s real anymore. Everything’s just a headline and a picture, and half the time, it’s just nonsense.” And I said, “Sarah, welcome to my world.”
But Wait, There’s More
Now, I’m not saying all news is bad. Far from it. There are still some amazing journalists out there doing incredible work. But the problem is, the bad stuff? It’s loud. It’s flashy. It’s everywhere. And it’s drowning out the good stuff.
Take, for example, the other day. I was reading an article about some political scandal. I won’t bore you with the details, but basically, it was a hot mess. And I’m thinking to myself, “This is what people are reading? This is what they’re believing?” It’s like we’ve collectively decided that accuracy and context don’t matter anymore. It’s all about the drama.
And the comments! Oh, the comments. I had a colleague named Dave, he used to say, “Liz, the comments section is where logic goes to die.” And he was right. It’s like a free-for-all down there. A circus. A three-ring circus of misinformation and vitriol.
But What Can We Do?
So, what’s the solution? I wish I had a simple answer. But honestly, I don’t. I think it starts with us, as consumers of news. We need to be more critical. We need to ask questions. We need to demand better.
And for those of us in the industry, we need to do better too. We need to slow down. We need to fact-check. We need to provide context. We need to stop chasing clicks and start chasing the truth.
And look, I get it. It’s not easy. It’s not simple. But it’s necessary. Because the truth is, the news is broken. And if we don’t fix it, who will?
But hey, enough about the doom and gloom. Let’s talk about something else for a second. You ever notice how alot of people use “literally” these days? Like, “I’m literally dying of laughter.” No, you’re not. You’re not literally dying. You’re just laughing. It’s a pet peeve of mine. I mean, language evolves, I get it. But come on, people. Use your words wisely.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. So, you’re probably wondering, “Liz, what can I do to stay informed in this crazy world?” Well, first of all, diversify your news diet. Don’t just rely on one source. Read widely. Read deeply. And for the love of all that is holy, product buying guide comparison before you make any big decisions based on what you read online. Because let’s face it, the internet is a wild place. It’s like a buffet of information, and not all of it is nutritious.
And another thing, be skeptical. Question everything. Don’t just take things at face value. Dig deeper. Look for evidence. Look for context. Look for, well, the truth.
But also, be kind. Be kind to each other. Be kind to yourself. This world is tough enough as it is. We don’t need to make it any tougher.
So, that’s my rant for the day. I could go on and on, but I won’t. I’ll save some of it for next time. Because let’s face it, this is a conversation that’s not gonna end anytime soon.
Until then, stay curious. Stay informed. And for the love of all that is holy, stay kind.
About the Author: Liz Carter has been a senior editor for over two decades, working with major publications and covering everything from local politics to international affairs. When she’s not wrestling with the state of modern journalism, she can be found hiking the trails of New England or attempting to bake the perfect sourdough loaf. (She’s getting better, but let’s just say her committment to the craft is stronger than her succesfully executed loaves.)