I’m Old School, and That’s Okay
Let me tell you something, Liverpool. I’ve been at this game since before most of you were born. I started as a wet-behind-the-ears reporter in 1998, covering council meetings in some godforsaken town hall. Now, I’m editing features for this fine publication. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
But look, I’m not here to give you some touching story about my journey. I’m here to talk about the state of local news. And frankly, it’s a mess. A gloriously, wonderfully, infuriatingly messy business.
Why Local News Matters (And Why It’s Dying)
I remember sitting in a pub with Marcus—let’s call him Marcus, ’cause his name’s not important—about three months ago. He’s a journalist, been in the game longer than me. We’re having a pint, and he turns to me and says, “You know, Sarah, I think local news is dead.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I mean, look at the numbers. According to some study I read last Tuesday (I don’t remember which one, honestly), local news outlets have lost over 2,140 journalists since 2008. That’s a lot of people not covering school board meetings or reporting on potholes.
But here’s the thing: local news matters. It matters alot. It’s where people learn about their communities, their neighbors, their local council’s shady aquisition of that field down the road. You don’t get that from the BBC or Sky News. You get it from places like… well, like us.
Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword
Now, don’t get me started on social media. I love it, I hate it, it’s a necessary evil. It’s where I get half my story ideas, but it’s also where misinformation spreads like wildfire. I remember this one time, about two years ago, I was at a conference in Austin (yes, I travel sometimes, shock horror), and this guy—let’s call him Dave—tells me, “Sarah, social media is killing journalism.”
I told him, “Dave, it’s not killing it. It’s changing it. And if you can’t adapt, you’re gonna be left behind.” I mean, look at what happened with Brexit. Fake news spread like a virus. But on the other hand, social media gave us the Arab Spring. It’s not all bad.
But here’s the thing about social media: it’s not a replacement for good, old-fashioned reporting. You can’t beat knocking on doors, making phone calls, and actually talking to people. That’s how you get the real story. Not from some tweet or Facebook post.
The Importance of Being Uncomfortable
I’ve always said, if you’re not making someone uncomfortable, you’re not doing your job right. I remember this one time, I was covering a story about a local business owner who was, let’s say, less than honest about his financials. I sat down with him, and he looked me dead in the eye and said, “Sarah, you’re making a big mistake.”
I said, “Maybe. But I’m gonna print it anyway.” And I did. And you know what? It made a difference. The council got involved, the business owner had to answer for his actions, and the community was better off for it.
But here’s the thing about being uncomfortable: it’s not just about making other people squirm. It’s about being willing to put yourself out there, to ask the tough questions, to go where others won’t. That’s what makes a good journalist.
Why We Need to Support Local News
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that local news is perfect. It’s not. It’s messy, and it’s flawed, and it’s often underfunded and underappreciated. But it’s also necessary. It’s how we hold our communities accountable. It’s how we learn about the world around us.
So, what can you do to support local news? For starters, subscribe to your local newspaper. Follow local journalists on social media. Share their stories. Engage with them. And for the love of God, don’t spread misinformation.
And if you’re feeling really adventurous, why not try your hand at citizen journalism? You don’t need a degree to report on what’s happening in your community. You just need a phone and a willingness to ask questions.
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The Future of Local News
I don’t know what the future holds for local news. I don’t know if we’ll be printing physical newspapers in 20 years, or if we’ll all be getting our news from some holographic AI. But I do know this: as long as there are stories to be told, there will be journalists to tell them.
And I, for one, am committed to telling those stories. Even if it means making people uncomfortable. Even if it means putting myself out there. Even if it means being part of a messy, flawed, but necessary institution.
So, here’s to the future of local news. May it be messy, may it be flawed, and may it always be necessary.
About the Author: Sarah Bennett has been a journalist for over 20 years, working her way up from a small-town reporter to a senior editor at Liverpool Daily. She’s covered everything from council meetings to international conferences, and she’s not afraid to ask the tough questions. When she’s not chasing stories, she can be found drinking too much coffee and complaining about the weather.
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