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Journalism's future in focus as Chicago Sun-Times shutters photographers Journalism's future in focus as Chicago Sun-Times shutters photographers
(4 months later)
Employed journalists everywhere winced on Thursday.Employed journalists everywhere winced on Thursday.
That's when we all learned the Chicago Sun-Times was sacking its entire photography staff – 28 shooters – and commissioning freelancers to do the job. The newspaper is also planning to put some iPhones, or a few DSLR cameras, in the hands of its reporters and test their multimedia know-how.That's when we all learned the Chicago Sun-Times was sacking its entire photography staff – 28 shooters – and commissioning freelancers to do the job. The newspaper is also planning to put some iPhones, or a few DSLR cameras, in the hands of its reporters and test their multimedia know-how.
Such cuts are hardly novel. The Sun-Times' publisher, Timothy Knight, pioneered the practise when he was the publisher of Newsday back in 2008 – when the magazine laid off its photo staff and gave photographers the "opportunity" to reapply for its new multimedia positions. But it is an industry-wide phenomenon: newspapers have eliminated about 30% of their full-time professional employees since 2000, according to a 2013 Pew Research Center report on the news media. Some have killed their print publications and moved exclusively online. Others have folded altogether.Such cuts are hardly novel. The Sun-Times' publisher, Timothy Knight, pioneered the practise when he was the publisher of Newsday back in 2008 – when the magazine laid off its photo staff and gave photographers the "opportunity" to reapply for its new multimedia positions. But it is an industry-wide phenomenon: newspapers have eliminated about 30% of their full-time professional employees since 2000, according to a 2013 Pew Research Center report on the news media. Some have killed their print publications and moved exclusively online. Others have folded altogether.
Over the past few years, terms such as "layoffs" and "buyouts" have become white noise in the newsroom. But when a news corporation eliminates an entire department, it's gravely concerning. It's not as if freelancers are benefiting either, since editorial budgets usually get cut before staff are laid off, and rates have been declining for years. The Sun-Times mass-sacking should make us think about more than individual journalism jobs; it ought to make us take a hard look at the future of the industry.Over the past few years, terms such as "layoffs" and "buyouts" have become white noise in the newsroom. But when a news corporation eliminates an entire department, it's gravely concerning. It's not as if freelancers are benefiting either, since editorial budgets usually get cut before staff are laid off, and rates have been declining for years. The Sun-Times mass-sacking should make us think about more than individual journalism jobs; it ought to make us take a hard look at the future of the industry.
With media outlets looking to source cut-price content more and more from outside the newsroom rather than within, they're likely to find a free-for-all of ravenous journalists competing for these temporary jobs. I'll likely be one of them. A week before the Sun-Times' hammer fell, I was a newly debt-ridden graduate of the Columbia University graduate school of journalism with no promise of a full-time job and, after last week, no delusions that years of hard work would even help me keep one.With media outlets looking to source cut-price content more and more from outside the newsroom rather than within, they're likely to find a free-for-all of ravenous journalists competing for these temporary jobs. I'll likely be one of them. A week before the Sun-Times' hammer fell, I was a newly debt-ridden graduate of the Columbia University graduate school of journalism with no promise of a full-time job and, after last week, no delusions that years of hard work would even help me keep one.
Are full-time journalists and photographers becoming obsolete? It now seems major daily newspapers are beginning to mimic the model of small-scale magazines: employ a handful of staff editors to manage the content and then rely on stringers to fill the pages. That's probably my future.Are full-time journalists and photographers becoming obsolete? It now seems major daily newspapers are beginning to mimic the model of small-scale magazines: employ a handful of staff editors to manage the content and then rely on stringers to fill the pages. That's probably my future.
Some major US daily newspapers now even recruit their own readers to write stories. The locals find the news, which is often in their own backyards, and report on the issues relevant in their communities. Citizen journalism may have gotten a bad rap in the past but it's starting to catch on. Just take a look at the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal, the Denver Post's YourHub or the Dallas Morning News' neighborsgo – which is where I kicked off my journalism career as a staff reporter. This type of news-gathering definitely has its place – as does iPhone photography – but it's not a substitute for the real deal. There's nothing wrong with change – until we let it cheapen the industry.Some major US daily newspapers now even recruit their own readers to write stories. The locals find the news, which is often in their own backyards, and report on the issues relevant in their communities. Citizen journalism may have gotten a bad rap in the past but it's starting to catch on. Just take a look at the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal, the Denver Post's YourHub or the Dallas Morning News' neighborsgo – which is where I kicked off my journalism career as a staff reporter. This type of news-gathering definitely has its place – as does iPhone photography – but it's not a substitute for the real deal. There's nothing wrong with change – until we let it cheapen the industry.
It's true, you don't need an Ivy League journalism degree and a 30-year promissory note to write stories, shoot photos or edit videos. Still, it helps to have the skills. And for those who have them, it helps to have a job. If the industry makes this shift, it could be the demise of the quality of the news coverage we have worked to provide. Nearly a third of US adults have stopped relying on a news outlet because it failed to provide content they expected, according to the Pew Research report. And of those who walked away, 60% cited the thoroughness of news reporting as a concern.It's true, you don't need an Ivy League journalism degree and a 30-year promissory note to write stories, shoot photos or edit videos. Still, it helps to have the skills. And for those who have them, it helps to have a job. If the industry makes this shift, it could be the demise of the quality of the news coverage we have worked to provide. Nearly a third of US adults have stopped relying on a news outlet because it failed to provide content they expected, according to the Pew Research report. And of those who walked away, 60% cited the thoroughness of news reporting as a concern.
Ironically, in an effort to save money, the Sun-Times may have just tanked its entire operation. Although many of today's reporters – especially those straight out of journalism school – were likely trained to be one-man-band kind of journalists, it doesn't mean their focus is photography. Sure, these reporters will be able to snap a school board meeting, but artfully capturing a feature photograph is a skill that the Sun-Times photographers surely spent years mastering. These photojournalists can't be replaced with an iPhone. Photography is a form of storytelling. Without engaging, skillfully composed images, good luck retaining, or even sparking, a reader's interest.Ironically, in an effort to save money, the Sun-Times may have just tanked its entire operation. Although many of today's reporters – especially those straight out of journalism school – were likely trained to be one-man-band kind of journalists, it doesn't mean their focus is photography. Sure, these reporters will be able to snap a school board meeting, but artfully capturing a feature photograph is a skill that the Sun-Times photographers surely spent years mastering. These photojournalists can't be replaced with an iPhone. Photography is a form of storytelling. Without engaging, skillfully composed images, good luck retaining, or even sparking, a reader's interest.
In some form or another, journalists – however you define us – will always be needed. Stories will always need to be told. Images will always need to be captured (including those tricky ones in low or odd lighting). My fear is that in restructuring of the industry, we risk losing it.In some form or another, journalists – however you define us – will always be needed. Stories will always need to be told. Images will always need to be captured (including those tricky ones in low or odd lighting). My fear is that in restructuring of the industry, we risk losing it.
If Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers such as the Sun-Times' John H White can't hold down a job in journalism, maybe it's a sign that the collapse we've all been fearing is finally upon us. Perhaps it's only a matter of time before the top print stories are littered with text message shorthand and emoticons, and front-page photos as well as broadcast stand-ups shockingly resemble smartphone selfies.If Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers such as the Sun-Times' John H White can't hold down a job in journalism, maybe it's a sign that the collapse we've all been fearing is finally upon us. Perhaps it's only a matter of time before the top print stories are littered with text message shorthand and emoticons, and front-page photos as well as broadcast stand-ups shockingly resemble smartphone selfies.
Redefining the industry should not be simply about cost-cutting. To keep journalism alive, it's vital that we place an economic value on those who help to keep it afloat.Redefining the industry should not be simply about cost-cutting. To keep journalism alive, it's vital that we place an economic value on those who help to keep it afloat.
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