New to the brood

In the many instances that I have spoken to young and aspiring journalists, I often get asked what I could offer as advice to them in case they decide to venture out into the field. I often find myself looking for the right words to say, so as not to discourage them without sugarcoating the truth. The work we do is not easy, while many assume it is. Just like the famous Peter Parker adage, "With great power comes great responsibility."

While it may be a cliché for some, an ancient saying in the Marvel universe, it holds true for the journalist whose words could cut through the ego of many. The words that we write, or type, in today's context, are often too sharp for those who are working twice as hard to ensure that all objectives are met. It becomes such when one fails to adhere to the basics of journalism, and I’d like to call them ABCs: Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity. With accuracy comes the responsibility to ask for all sides of the story. In the event that the other party refuses to comment, a good letter T for Transparency would be helpful to avoid being accused of bias.

The latest Reuters study on audience behavior --specifically regarding their trust in the media-- should be a wake-up call to those new to the brood. Each day that we miss any of the standards we’ve set is another reason for the majority to cancel legitimate news from their daily media consumption. They would rather focus on content more suitable to their liking, such as a funny meme or an AI-generated video favoring their chosen politician. It is a constant struggle for the media to win in the algorithm game, despite our best efforts.

This should be a reminder that the glory days of journalism are now on a steep decline. One of the ways to stay afloat is to collaborate with each other and find innovative methods of storytelling. We no longer see our sources or even our colleagues from competing outlets as the enemy. The real villains are those who derail the audience from the truth. What better action than to work as one in this cause? Of course, the narrative changes when there is an imminent threat to press freedom. That is a different story and an issue to discuss as a result of too much freedom.

To continue, I would say that journalism is for the humble. One should understand that there is no perfect day, and every moment is a learning experience. Sure, the four years of university may have equipped one to be ready for the real world, but oftentimes the real lessons come from the everyday. It is important to listen to those who have come before you, for their wisdom is far more than what you have at present. Always acknowledge that there are things beyond your control and appreciate the work that we all do. It is a vocation, a calling.