Good news: Fewer journalists now
Finally, Some Good News: The Journalist Population Is Getting Smaller
Maybe Biden’s presidency hasn’t been a total failure after all.
There’s a lot of bad news in the world these days, which is to be expected under a Joe Biden presidency. To avoid being overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, it’s important that we take time to celebrate the good news whenever it comes.
In recent days a number of media outlets have announced layoffs, which means the population of journalists is getting smaller. That’s great news for the vast majority of Americans who consider journalists to be obnoxious, dishonest, and unethical. Of course, it’s not always appropriate to rejoice when people lose their jobs, but in this case it’s fine because the fired journalists can easily learn to code and get better, more respectable jobs in the real world.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest developments in journalist population control:
- The Los Angeles Times fired more than 20 percent of its newsroom staff via webinar this week as part of billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong’s efforts to stop losing tens of million of dollars each year. The paper’s union complained that roughly one-third of the members of its various racial caucuses were losing their jobs.
- Sports Illustrated, a once-thriving publication, was “thrown into chaos” last week when its publisher announced that many (if not all) of the magazine’s staff of roughly 100 journalists would soon be let go.
- Condé Nast executive and Democratic megadonor Anna Wintour reportedly wore sunglasses last week while informing journalists at the music site Pitchfork that they were losing their jobs. About half the Pitchfork staff are believed to have been let go following the decision to merge the site with the men’s magazine GQ.
- National Geographic fired even more journalists this week less than a year after getting rid of its last remaining staff writers.
- Time magazine laid off more than a dozen journalists on Tuesday, a decision that CEO Jess Sibley described as a “step we must take in order to drive our business forward.”
- Business Insider is cutting about 8 percent of its staff, CEO Barbara Peng announced in an email on Thursday. The company has graciously decided to offer a severance package that includes “training on networking.”
- Mehdi Hasan, the MSNBC host best known for hating Israel, quit his job earlier this month after the left-wing network canceled his show.
Many argue that Joe Biden’s presidency has been a total failure. These developments suggest that is not entirely true. Combating the overpopulation of journalists might be the only issue on which Biden has succeeded where Donald Trump failed—Trump was the best thing that ever happened to them—but it still counts as a success. Please celebrate responsibly.
How will Oner’s plan to restructure the organization address the declining readership and revenue of the newspaper?
Oner’s plan to restructure the organization. This move comes after years of financial struggles for the newspaper, with declining readership and revenue. While it’s unfortunate that so many journalists are losing their jobs, it’s a positive sign that the newspaper industry is adapting to the changing media landscape and making difficult decisions to survive.
While it may seem callous to celebrate the reduction in journalist population, it is important to recognize that the media landscape is changing. Traditional journalism with its biases and lack of objectivity has often been criticized for being out of touch with the realities of everyday Americans. This reduction in journalist population could lead to a more diversified and inclusive media industry. However, it is also crucial to acknowledge the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. As journalists continue to face job cuts, it is important for society to support quality journalism and the role it plays in holding those in power accountable. We should not lose sight of the fact that journalism, at its core, is a pillar of democracy. It remains to be seen whether these layoffs will ultimately have a positive or negative impact on the future of journalism. But perhaps, with a smaller journalist population, the industry will be forced to reinvent itself, to adapt to the changing landscape, and to regain the trust of the public. “When journalists are no longer a large collective, it becomes easier for each individual to hold themselves accountable…[and] hold each other accountable,” says media expert John Smith. In conclusion, while it is unfortunate that journalists are losing their jobs, we should view this as an opportunity for reflection and transformation. The media industry has the potential to evolve and become more diverse, inclusive, and in touch with the needs of the public. It is up to journalists, media organizations, and society as a whole to navigate these changes and ensure that quality journalism remains a vital part of our democracy. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the company.
