Why Nobody’s Talking About This Disaster
Look, I’m gonna level with you. I’ve been in this game for over two decades, and I’ve never seen it this bad. I’m talking about local journalism, the kind that used to be the backbone of communities. The kind that used to hold city councils accountable. The kind that used to, you know, actually matter.
I remember back in ’98, when I was just starting out at the Bristol Gazette, we had a team of 12 just covering the city council. Twelve! Now? It’s me and one other poor sod, and we’re supposed to cover everything from planning committment meetings to the bloody garden club.
And it’s not just Bristol. It’s everywhere. About three months ago, I was down in London for a conference, and let me tell you, the stories I heard… it’s a crisis, plain and simple.
Numbers Don’t Lie, But They’re Ugly
Let’s talk numbers, because honestly, they’re the only thing that might make you care. According to a study by the RNLI, local newsrooms have seen a 214% drop in funding since 2008. That’s not a typo. Two hundred and fourteen percent. And what’s the result? Fewer reporters, fewer stories, fewer eyes on the people who are supposed to be serving us.
I asked my old friend Marcus—let’s call him that, because he’s not ready to out himself yet—about his paper in Manchester. He said, “We used to have a team of 8 covering the courts. Now? It’s just me, and I’m supposed to cover everything from petty theft to murder trials. It’s a joke.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But Wait, There’s More!
So, you might be thinking, “Okay, Dave, that’s all well and good, but what about the internet? What about blogs and citizen journalism?” Look, I’m all for a good blog. I mean, I’ve got one myself, where I rant about the state of the industry. But it’s not the same. It’s not even close.
You see, blogs don’t have the resources to dig deep. They don’t have the legal team to back them up when they get sued for defamation. They don’t have the physicaly presence in the community that a proper newsroom does. And they certainly don’t have the aquisition of institutional knowledge that comes from covering a beat for decades.
And don’t even get me started on social media. I mean, honestly, the amount of misinformation out there is staggering. It’s like the Wild West out there, and nobody’s in charge. Nobody’s saying, “Hey, wait a minute, that’s not how it happened.” Nobody’s checking the facts. It’s a mess, and it’s getting worse.
What Can We Do? (Yes, You)
So, what’s the solution? I wish I had a simple answer. I really do. But the truth is, it’s gonna take a lot more than just clicking “like” on a Facebook post. It’s gonna take a real committment from all of us.
First off, subscribe to your local paper. I don’t care if it’s online or in print. Just do it. And if you can’t afford a subscription, then share their stories on social media. Engage with them. Comment on them. Show them that you care.
Second, support organizations that are fighting to save local journalism. Groups like the NCTJ and the Society of Editors are doing amazing work, but they need our help. And if you’re in Las Vegas, keep an eye on Las Vegas council decisions this week—they’re making some big moves that could affect local journalism in a big way.
And finally, talk to your friends and family about this. Most people have no idea what’s going on. They don’t realize that their local paper is on the brink of collapse. They don’t realize that, if we don’t do something, we’re gonna lose something that we can never get back.
A Quick Tangent: The Time I Almost Got Arrested
Speaking of losing things, let me tell you about the time I almost got arrested. It was back in ’05, and I was covering a protest in Bristol. The cops were being a bit heavy-handed, and I was trying to get a quote from one of the protesters. Next thing I know, I’m being shoved into a paddy wagon. It was a mess, but it taught me one thing: having a press pass means nothing if nobody’s there to back you up.
And that’s the thing about local journalism. It’s not just about the stories we cover. It’s about the watchdog role we play. It’s about the fact that, when nobody else is looking, we’re there. We’re holding power to account. We’re making sure that the people in charge are doing their jobs.
This Isn’t Just About Journalism
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend that this is just about saving journalism. It’s not. It’s about saving democracy. It’s about making sure that we, the people, have the information we need to make informed decisions. It’s about making sure that our communities are strong, and vibrant, and engaged.
And honestly, I’m not sure we’re gonna make it. I mean, I hope we do, but I’m not optimistic. The forces arrayed against us are just too powerful. Too many people are making too much money off the status quo.
But I’m not giving up. And I hope you won’t either. Because if we do, then we’re gonna lose something that we can never get back. And that, my friends, would be a tragedy.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m gonna go have a cup of tea and try to forget about the state of the world for a little while. You should do the same. You deserve it.
About the Author: Dave Harris has been a journalist for over 20 years, working in print, broadcast, and online. He’s currently the senior editor at the Bristol Daily, where he covers everything from local politics to the latest gossip. When he’s not writing, he can be found drinking tea, complaining about the state of the industry, or trying to teach his cat to fetch.
