The headline says it all. I don't think it should take me 500 words to explain why journalism is and always will be important. The fact that people think it's even a dying career and a terrible topic to study is inconceivable. It's sad to see less and less people picking up newspapers. It's sad to know that people don't think printed paper will even be around come ten years. Johannes Gutenberg was a name in all the history books for inventing the printing press. We also learned all about Alexander Bell, the first person to invent the telephone. We also learned about Thomas Edison, the man behind light bulbs. Why I squeeze these revolutionary figures into this paragraph is to use them as an example. We still use the light bulb, we still use the telephone (although its been widely transformed), so why have we forgotten the accomplishments and revolutionary discovery of Gutenberg? Journalism is still important.
I'll admit it. I read articles online all the time through social media. It's the 21st century and that's what it is all about. However, journalists at the New York Times slave away not to have their work forgotten, but to have it appreciated. Odyssey has an online portion and print version. Why does everything have to go virtual and behind a screen? Don't people miss the feeling of an actual paper between your fingers?
Journalism is important because for some writers it's an outlet. When they can't say what they feel out loud they can write it down. For me, there's always a sense of satisfaction and achievement knowing at least one person is reading my words. Whether its criticizing it or not, at least people are reading my thoughts and my own words. For many writers they find sanction in writing. They find a voice that is able to share. And trust me, it's pretty powerful.
Besides the fact that it's an outlet, it's also a resource. When people want information on current events in sports, Hollywood, politics, business or social life, journalism is the first to share. Most of the information people receive is linked to journalism and newspapers and media outlets. How can we possibly just disregard the fact that our knowledge comes from the people who write it. Journalists, like me, type behind their computer screens stories to be distributed to everyone to read.
If there's any time, now is the time to bring back print paper. To spread the love for journalism. The online newspapers and magazines are great. Millennials are supporting journalism online and of course, the internet is the first place everyone looks for current events but what I want is for everyone to drink their morning coffee with not a phone in their hand but a newspaper. I want people who want to study and make a living writing and being journalists to not feel scrutinized for it. To not feel like they're making a terrible life choice. It goes beyond the salary of the journalist but rather goes down to their work. It's what people love to do and read and we need to start appreciating it.
So instead of walking by a newspaper stand and being distracted by your news source on your phone, pick one up and be reminded of the feel of paper between your fingers.
