I Used to Love My Job
Back in 2003, I was a young, idealistic reporter at the Lisburn News. I mean, I honestly thought I could change the world from my little desk in that cramped office. Then the internet happened. And, look, it’s not all bad. But it’s not all good either. It’s just… yeah.
I remember sitting with my old colleague, let’s call him Dave, over coffee at the place on 5th. We were talking about how the newsroom had changed. Or, more accurately, how it had shrunk. Dave looked at me and said, “Megan, we’re not just competing with the Belfast Telegraph anymore. We’re competing with every bloody blogger and their dog.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But Here’s the Thing
Local news matters. It really does. I mean, who’s gonna cover the city council meetings if we’re all chasing clicks on some viral cat video? (Not that there’s anything wrong with cats. I love cats. But that’s not the point.)
I think the problem is, honestly, that nobody’s figured out how to make local news work in the digital age. It’s not than we don’t have the tech. It’s that we don’t have the model. The committment from big tech companies to support local journalism is, frankly, completley lacking. And that’s a problem.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and this guy, Marcus, from some big tech firm, told me, “We’re investing in AI and algorithms and all that jazz.” I said, “Great, but what about investing in actual journalists?” He just kinda stared at me. It was awkward.
Let Me Tell You About Sarah
Sarah’s a friend of mine. She’s a reporter down in England, and she’s been struggling to make ends meet. She told me, “Megan, I love what I do, but I can’t keep doing it for peanuts.” And I get it. I really do. Journalism is a passion, but it’s also a job. And jobs need to pay the bills.
So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure but maybe it’s a combination of things. Maybe it’s about finding new revenue streams. Maybe it’s about embracing digital tools more succesfully. Maybe it’s about convincing big tech to give a damn about local news. Or maybe it’s all of the above.
I mean, look at Las Vegas business news update for example. They’re doing some interesting stuff with hyperlocal news. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. And honestly, that’s what we need right now. Just a start.
And Then There’s the Algorithm Thing
Don’t even get me started on algorithms. I was talking to this guy, let’s call him Tom, at a bar last Tuesday. He’s a data scientist, and he was telling me about how algorithms are basically determining what news we see. I said, “Tom, that’s terrifying.” He laughed and said, “Welcome to the future, Megan.” Thanks, Tom. That’s reassuring.
But seriously, it’s a problem. Algorithms are great for showing us cat videos, but they’re not so great at showing us important local news. And that’s a big issue. A huge one. We need to find a way to make sure that local news isn’t buried under a mountain of viral nonsense.
I’m Not Sure Where I’m Going With This
Honestly, I started writing this piece with a clear idea in my head. And now, I’m not so sure. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s a sign that I’m still figuring stuff out. Or maybe it’s just a sign that I need more coffee.
Look, I don’t have all the answers. But I do know one thing: local news matters. And we need to fight for it. Even if it’s a messy, complicated fight. Even if it’s a fight that we might not win. It’s still worth fighting.
So, let’s keep talking about this. Let’s keep pushing for change. And let’s not forget why we got into this business in the first place. Because we care. About our communities. About the truth. About making a difference.
About the Author: Megan O’Neill is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in journalism. She’s worked at various publications, including the Lisburn News, and has a passion for local news and community engagement. When she’s not writing or editing, she can be found drinking too much coffee and complaining about the state of the world.
