Optimism for Journalism

Is journalism slowly fading out? I think so – there goes my future.

I contemplated so many majors before attending college. However, all the ones that you truly want to do usually have no income: a dancer, actor or artist. Now, I thought by choosing journalism I would grasp a better education. That part is definitely true. But today I might as well be that struggling actor in Los Angeles bartending or waiting tables at Hooters. I never really wanted to write for print, because I had more of a creative-writing style. The problem today is I just want to write: something. Why the hell are there no jobs?
I can see that blogs are definitely becoming the future for readers. Usually they have wide-ranged topics. I suppose no one likes to pick up the “giant” newspaper and search for their topic of interest. I bet the pages are just too large and intimidating. Anyway, blogs are great, but no matter what, you’re still reading someone’s opinion. I’m only complaining because I wonder where this places me. I still have a dream to become a news anchorwoman. I don’t feel that broadcast journalism will ever fade out. I guess we can call the E! Television people reporters, but what do they really report? They’re more like entertainers. I don’t really feel that is quality journalism, but it’s definitely entertaining. So why is this downfall happening? I went to college studying The Associated Press Stylebook (I have a love/hate relationship with that book), and I don’t think blogging really requires that specific knowledge. On the internet everything goes. Everyone overuses ellipsis’ (…), and everyone now abbreviates their words. I don’t claim to be the greatest journalist. I am so far from being great. I just feel this economy is putting us journalists all on the backburner. Well, I’m done roasting.
Facebook is the new place where we all go to put a word in. We know someone will listen: our friends. Plus it’s highly entertaining to watch people write in their own Ebonics-shit language. Since when was the word life spelled l-y-f-e? Oh, my favorite is sentences that go as follows, “Im wachin’ the gamz n drinkin beerz. Thatz tha lyfe, lol.” Really, was I supposed to understand that language? I admit that maybe it was fun in preschool to abbreviate and put z after every word, but we’re adults now. Maybe I can get a job on Facebook and write to all the people using that made-up language and send corrections. I understand not being great at grammar – it’s been my downfall. I just hope that those people don’t walk into work interviews talking like that.
Q: Why do you believe you’re qualified to work here?
A: I gotz skillz. I wunt ma lfye ta b betta.
Q: What did you just say?
A: I sud, I gotz skillz. Truzt me. Rofl, lol, fo sho….

So I hope later down the road I can still manage to be some form of a journalist. I hope the demand grows, not because there is a war and tragic news to tell, but because people love to hear the voice of a journalist. I hope we can bring something new and genuine to the table. I think the internet is a great way to go, I just hope a greater income can come of it. Writing is great, even if it comes for free.
Sadly, not all of us even have the opportunity to write a book and get it published. Today the people writing books are has-beens who only get published because of their celebrity ranking. That’s all they need, more money. They’re already making more than doctor’s: seriously? That is total crap if you ask me. Hollywood needs to step aside and let the real writers in.
So basically my point is, if I have a point, that I have hope for the future of journalism. I hope that I don’t have to become a lifelong retail girl – no offense retail people. Journalism jobs just need to fall out of the sky. I am waiting with my arms wide open.