Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room
Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I started as a wet-behind-the-ears intern at a small newspaper in Taichung back in 2000. Now, I’m a senior editor at one of the biggest English-language publications in Taiwan. And let me tell you, the state of news media here is… well, it’s kinda depressing.
I was having coffee with an old friend last Tuesday—let’s call him Marcus. We were at that little place on 5th, the one with the terrible Wi-Fi but great croissants. He’s a journalist too, been around just as long as me. We were talking about how the industry has changed. Or, more accurately, how it hasn’t changed enough.
Marcus said something that stuck with me: “We’re still reporting the news like it’s 2005.” And honestly? He’s not wrong. We’re still stuck in this old-school mindset, while the world is moving forward at a breakneck pace. It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, and frankly, it’s not doing anyone any favors.
Breaking News: We’re Breaking Down
Let’s talk about breaking news. You know, the stuff that pops up on your phone at 3 AM, making you jolt awake with a start? Yeah, that. We’re all about speed these days, right? But here’s the thing: speed doesn’t always equal quality. And in the race to be first, we’re often sacrificing accuracy. And that, my friends, is a big, fat problem.
I remember back in 2018, during the Hualien earthquake. I was working at a different publication then. We got the initial reports, and we were like, “Let’s get this out there!” But then, the details started changing. The numbers, the locations, the impact. It was a mess. And we were part of the problem. We were so focused on being first that we didn’t take the time to verify our sources. And that’s not journalism. That’s just… noise.
And don’t even get me started on social media. It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great way to connect with our audience. On the other hand, it’s a breeding ground for misinformation. And as journalists, we have a responsibility to combat that. But are we doing enough? I’m not sure but I think we could be doing better.
The Human Element: We’re Not Robots (Thank God)
Here’s the thing about journalism: it’s a human endeavor. It’s not about algorithms or SEO or clickbait headlines. It’s about people. It’s about telling stories that matter. And that’s something we seem to have forgotten in our quest for likes and shares.
I had a colleague named Dave—great guy, by the way—who used to say, “News is just stories about people, told by people, for people.” And that’s it, really. That’s what we should be focusing on. Not the numbers, not the analytics, but the stories. The human stories.
But here’s the kicker: we’re not telling those stories anymore. We’re too busy chasing trends and virality. And it’s making our newsrooms feel more like assembly lines than creative hubs. Which, honestly, is a damn shame.
Weekend Getaways and Journalism? Wait, What?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “What do weekend getaways have to do with journalism?” And honestly, nothing. But hear me out. We need to take a step back and remember that life goes on outside of the newsroom. We need to recharge, to disconnect, to find inspiration in the world around us. And sometimes, that means taking a break. So, if you’re feeling burnt out, consider checking out some weekend getaway ideas nearby. Trust me, it’ll do you good.
But back to the point. We need to find a balance. We need to remember why we got into this business in the first place. And we need to start telling stories that matter. Because at the end of the day, that’s what journalism is all about.
The Future: It’s Not All Doom and Gloom
Now, I’m not saying everything is bad. Far from it. There are some amazing journalists out there doing incredible work. But we need more of them. We need more people who are passionate about telling stories, who care about accuracy and integrity, who understand that journalism is a public service, not just a job.
And it starts with us. It starts with me, with Marcus, with Dave, with every journalist out there who cares about the truth. We need to demand better. We need to push back against the noise and the misinformation. We need to remember that our words have power. And we need to use that power responsibly.
So, let’s make a committment. Let’s promise to do better. To be better. Because the world needs good journalism. And it’s up to us to deliver.
Which, honestly, is a pretty big responsibilty. But hey, someone’s gotta do it.
About the Author: Sarah Chen has been a senior editor at various publications in Taiwan for over 20 years. She’s a strong believer in the power of journalism to inform and inspire. When she’s not editing, you can find her exploring Taiwan’s many hiking trails or trying out new recipes in her tiny Taipei apartment. She’s a firm believer in the Oxford comma and thinks pineapple belongs on pizza. You can find her on Twitter @sarahchenwrites.
