Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room
Look, I’ve been in this game for 22 years. Started as a cub reporter in Belfast, moved to London, now I’m back in Lisburn. I’ve seen alot, and frankly, it’s not pretty.
Local news is dying. It’s not breaking news, it’s not even news anymore. It’s a slow, painful death, and we’re all complicit. Me, you, that guy who won’t pay for a digital subscription. We’re all to blame.
Last Tuesday, I was at a conference in Austin (yes, I know, not exactly local). Some big shot from a national paper was talking about ‘saving journalism’. I mean, honestly? Save it. You’re part of the problem.
But Wait, There’s More
I’m not saying this to be a downer. I’m saying this because someone has to. Because if we don’t talk about it, nothing will change. And look, I’ve seen this movie before. It doesn’t end well.
Take my friend Marcus. He’s a reporter over at the Lisburn Chronicle. Good guy, hard worker. But he’s spread thinner than butter on toast. He’s gotta cover city hall, the schools, the police beat. All by his lonesome. And he’s expected to do it with a smile, while the powers that be pat themselves on the back for ‘doing more with less’.
I asked him how he’s holding up. He just laughed and said, ‘I’m not. But what choice do I have?’ Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And Don’t Even Get Me Started on Social Media
Oh, you think Facebook is gonna save local news? Please. It’s a cesspool of misinformation and outrage. And don’t even get me started on the algorithms. They’re worse than a toddler with a sugar rush.
About three months ago, I was having coffee with a colleague named Dave. He’s a data guy, knows his stuff. He showed me some numbers. 214 local news outlets have shut down in the last five years. 36 hours. That’s how much time the average person spends on social media in a month. Coincidence? I think not.
But here’s the thing. Social media isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it can be used for good or evil. The problem is, we’re letting the wrong people wield it.
So What’s the Solution? I’m Glad You Asked
First, we gotta stop pretending that ads are gonna save us. They’re not. They never were. The internet killed that dream a long time ago. And honestly, I’m okay with that. Because ads are annoying. They’re intrusive. They’re the reason we all have ad blockers.
No, the solution is simpler than that. It’s also harder. It’s gonna take commitment. And money. And a whole lot of physicaly uncomfortable conversations.
We need to start paying for news again. Not just the big national stuff, but the local stuff too. The stuff that affects our lives every single day. The stuff that keeps our communities safe and informed. The stuff that, frankly, is worth more than the price of a cup of coffee.
And look, I get it. It’s not sexy. It’s not glamorous. But it’s necessary. It’s the only way we’re gonna save local news. And honestly, it’s the only way we’re gonna save ourselves.
Oh, and One More Thing
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But seriously, folks. We need to have this conversation. We need to talk about the state of local news. We need to talk about what we’re gonna do about it. Because if we don’t, we’re gonna lose something precious. And honestly, I don’t think we can afford that.
So let’s talk. Let’s get messy. Let’s figure this out. Together.
About the Author
Sarah McCarthy has been a journalist for 22 years, working in Belfast, London, and now Lisburn. She’s a staunch advocate for local news and has seen firsthand the challenges and triumphs of the industry. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking too much coffee and complaining about the state of the world.
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