Why I’m Mad at the News Business
Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I started at a tiny paper in Glasgow, covering council meetings and the occasional house fire. Now, I’m a senior editor at a digital publication. And honestly? I’m pissed.
It’s not just the clickbait. It’s not just the ads. It’s the whole damn system. We’re failing, and we’re taking the public with us.
That Time I Got Fired for Telling the Truth
Back in ’04, I worked at the Glasgow Herald. I wrote a piece about how the local council was mishandling funds. My editor, let’s call him Marcus, told me to tone it down. I refused. Next week, I was out of a job.
Marcus said, “You can’t just throw accusations around, Sarah.” I said, “But they’re facts, Marcus. Hard facts.” He just shook his head. “Not our problem.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s still our problem. It’s all of our problem.
The Algorithm is Eating Our Souls
I mean, look at what’s happening. We used to have space for nuance. Now? It’s all about the algorithm. The algorithm wants outrage. The algorithm wants clicks. The algorithm couldn’t care less about the truth.
I was talking to a colleague named Dave last Tuesday. We were over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, “Sarah, you remember when we used to have time to dig into stories?” I said, “Yeah, Dave. I do. It was better then.”
And it was. It really was. But that ship has sailed. Now, it’s all about speed. Get the story up, get the clicks, move on to the next one. Who cares if it’s accurate? Who cares if it’s fair?
But Wait, There’s More!
I’m not saying we should go back to the old days. Hell no. The old days were slow and boring and often sexist. But at least we had standards.
Now, it’s a free-for-all. And it’s killing us. It’s killing the news. It’s killing democracy. And it’s killing my soul.
I’m not sure what the answer is. I wish I knew. Maybe it’s about finding a new business model. Maybe it’s about finding a way to make the algorithm work for us, instead of against us. Maybe it’s about finding a way to make the news matter again.
I don’t know. But I know this: we can’t keep going like this. We can’t keep pretending that the news is okay. Because it’s not. It’s broken. And it’s our job to fix it.
So, let’s talk about this. Let’s talk about how we can make the news better. Let’s talk about how we can make it matter again. Let’s talk about how we can save our souls.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about downsizing. I know, I know, it’s a tangent. But hear me out. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of all the stuff. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of all the noise.
Whatever the reason, I’ve been reading up on it. And honestly, it’s kinda fascinating. There’s a whole world out there about living with less. It’s not just about the physical stuff. It’s about the mental stuff too. It’s about simplifying your life. It’s about making room for what matters.
I found this great resource, a downsizing home tips guide senior, which honestly, it’s not just for seniors. It’s for anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed. It’s for anyone who’s ready to make a change.
So, let’s talk about that too. Let’s talk about how we can make our lives simpler. Let’s talk about how we can make room for what matters. Let’s talk about how we can save our souls.
I’m not sure where this is all going. I’m not sure where any of this is going. But I know one thing: we can’t keep going like this. We can’t keep pretending that everything is okay. Because it’s not. And it’s our job to fix it.
So, let’s get to work.
About the Author: Sarah McMillan has been a journalist for over 20 years. She’s worked at everything from small-town papers to major digital publications. She’s won awards, she’s been fired, she’s been everything in between. She’s currently a senior editor at Glasgow Daily. She lives in Glasgow with her cat, Mr. Whiskers. She loves coffee, hates clickbait, and is always looking for the next big story.
