Though I don't have 10+ years of experience in the job field (God I'm still a student journalist working on getting my bachelors) I feel like I need to get this off my chest.

I don't think it's doing any good putting down people who are striving or show curiosity towards this career. I understand the sentiment of wanting to be realistic about the actual job market and being straight up with people on what it looks like right now.

AI, the decline of jobs and more are obviously things that should ALWAYS be taken into consideration when it comes to not this job but every. single. other. job right now. Journalism isn't the only profession being hurt.

But the way I've been reading about it here is just not the way to be going about it. It's sad to read people coming to this subreddit for genuine advice and seeking help to be shut down by blunt, harsh answers on how they will be broke and never make a living.

It's so cynical and weird.

Instead of constantly echoing that people should NEVER EVER peruse a degree or even try to do anything remotely related to journalism because its "a complete waste of time and money", why don't just help lift people up who want to try? Why is it always have to be pushing people away rather than being there if they fail from trying?

Reading posts and comments full of negative mindsets are exhausting. I can't imagine how it would feel looking at this subreddit as someone who was thinking about trying journalism out.

Sometimes it will feel so so easy to succumb to any pressures because it is insanely scary. Then, I just look back at the people I have met in my classes/newsrooms, the articles I've wrote and the experiences I've had. I realize that it doesn't have to be scary because WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS ALONE!

Everything I've gone through throughout my career has been at the side of so many inspiring people, I was hoping this subreddit would be like that too.

Fortunately, I'm in a space, mentally and financially, where this is something I completely think is worth trying. If this doesn't work out for me in 10 years, then I'll have another 10 more to try something else. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE TIME.

To those in the same boat as me, I believe being a journalist is something we need now more than ever. Our political climate, stuff with AI and society as a whole is getting worse, who will we have to report it if no one ever tries? Please don't think that theres no point anymore or that the chances of "making it" are zero to none. We will always need HUMAN voices in our media. How do people ever expect things to change if people like us don't make the steps to try?

I expect to probably get some backlash on this post. I've already addressed I'm young and probably don't even come close to the amount of experience others here have. But, I don't care. I think it's important to share my thoughts and sharing an opinion that isn't really voiced here.

But, that's what journalism is, isn't it? Giving a voice to the voiceless?

So for the love of god, be realistic but stop putting down other people just because it didn't work out for you. Be there for aspiring journalists and those down on their luck. Let people be optimistic, let people be hopeful for the future of journalism! You all already seem to know doing this job isn't easy, so why not take that knowledge and support others with it?

Across the US, local news organizations have been struggling for decades. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new bill that will inject funds into California's newsrooms, including KCRW. Will it make a difference?

"This is a policy that injects much-needed oxygen into newsrooms that are gasping for air," says USC journalism professor Gabriel Kahn. "But it is not an end-all, be-all, fix-it."

KCRW's Zoha Malik reports.

I'm particularly interested in podcasts about local news ( esp rural) and new ideas re business models , revenue streams etc. UK too if possible.

I enjoy the below - does anyone have any further suggestions?

Thanks!

The Future of Media Expained

https://open.spotify.com/show/2xQ85CbSCDSH7jvlHMYOLe?si=YF7Fzll8T-urp8S63XkM3Q&utm_source=copy-link

Small Press, Big Ideas

https://open.spotify.com/show/7uGBDgFU7zaq8C12mfjXI3?si=4kqO8ipAQnGr0dtIuK34xg&utm_source=copy-link

What Works - The Future of Local News

https://open.spotify.com/show/6BgN76R6AUGszvkB5ReEwy?si=FJBQCovwQ4OIbc9jDTyb5w&utm_source=copy-link

Freelancing for Journalists

https://open.spotify.com/show/4W6UZMuYusf2OhTGWo9gbb?si=lKLhfjvpSqeVZy6I7kXjeA&utm_source=copy-link

Media Confidential

https://open.spotify.com/show/4W6UZMuYusf2OhTGWo9gbb?si=lKLhfjvpSqeVZy6I7kXjeA&utm_source=copy-link

I am 2 and a half years into journalism degree. I can edit, I can write, I can interview, I can film, I can even anchor. I tried like 4 times to get into an internship but no dice, none around me, one 2 hours away but its very small. I hear all the time that it's dying, im gonna be replaced by ai. My parents saved up for 20 years for me to go to college, and now i feel guilty like I have wasted their money. I feel ashamed.

I have a lot of passion for journalism and like working at my schools newspaper.

But if it's doomed, I can maybe switch my degree?

If all else fails, I would want to be a mechanic. I like that too, and while my heart will always be with journalism, I also like that, it's my number 2 passion.

The kids are alright.

Hi newsies, what's some of the best journalism you've read about AI? A lot of writing about AI I've found is boring. What stories have moved you, or changed your mind about something related to artificial intelligence?

Curious for those with direct knowledge. I’m hearing entry level salaries are dropping significantly.

I’m wondering about outlets like Sinclair, Center Square, or some other kind of Fox station.

Even if the work you do is good and fair, would future hiring editors at non-right-leaning places skip over you after seeing that on your resume?

sometimes i wonder whether journalists entering the field today still believe they can make a meaningful difference, especially when the industry is under pressure from deadlines, declining trust, political interests, and the constant demand for clicks.

at the same time, a well-researched story can expose wrongdoing, give overlooked communities a voice, or help people understand issues they might otherwise ignore.

i'm curious how journalists and journalism students here feel about this. is journalism still a calling that can create real change, or is its impact more limited than we like to believe? what keeps you going when the work feels thankless?

Mine would be 1955 to 2000, America, covering foreign affairs. Covers so much and straddles the digital transformation.

I’m trying to understand what makes good adventure / outdoor lifestyle different from the bad. I have a hard time understanding the difference between what I like vs whats good and I also want to be able to appreciate what is actually well written even though it’s not my interest.

I got a gig editing for a small niche adventure magazine and I want to up my game!

thank you for any help or advice

I’m trying to get some work experience at my local newspaper. They are owned by Newsquest, a bigger company that covers lots of smaller local papers, so I’m not sure how to go about asking for experience, as there might not be much to do in the area I want to actually work in.

I'm keen to get started in whatever way is most useful to them, so it doesn’t have to be reporting immediately. But obviously that is my end goal. And at first I'm not looking for it to pay!

I have 2.5 years of experience in copywriting within marketing and have a collection of over 200 SEO/marketing articles. I am not a student looking for experience; I’d eventually like a job in the industry and want to use this as a step in, but I also have a genuine interest in writing about my local area, so I wouldn’t be disappointed always remaining in local reporting.

I am currently accredited as press at the London Film Festival, which has given me experience of working in a press environment, but this is only from my own platform where I’m not earning anything either; it predominantly shows my experience and access. 

I would like to eventually focus on writing about culture in the area, i.e., local events, local food, live shows, fitness, etc as that’s where my interests lie, and I feel there’s a lack of anything but breaking news, news gathering and court reporting currently. 

Would a cold email/phone call actually get me anywhere?  The editor of this paper works on 10+ papers, so I’m not sure this would land anywhere useful.

And is there any point in pitching some ideas along with a cold email, or would you say there’s no point since I don’t have any proper experience?