Journalism: A Career? Not Anymore.

Journalism was once a noble and rewarding career path. The pay was decent, and the profession demanded exceptional talent. To succeed, you needed strong writing skills, the ability to uncover hard-to-find information, and a solid understanding of government operations at all levels. Mastery of the criminal justice system and expertise in filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were essential tools of the trade.

Today, both broadcast and print media are on life support. High-paid reporters and producers have been pushed out, and pay raises are a thing of the past. In fact, some journalists in major markets now qualify for food stamps—a shocking reality for what was once considered a prestigious profession.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has dealt another blow to journalism. AI can take a mediocre draft, polish it in seconds, and churn out copy that reads like it was written by a seasoned professional. AI also simplifies research, providing step-by-step guidance on finding information. It can even draft and send FOIA requests to the correct recipient without you lifting a finger.

Deadlines? They’ve become irrelevant. AI can complete a story in minutes, leaving little room for the painstaking effort that once defined quality journalism. As a result, almost anyone with basic skills can produce work that could compete for a Pulitzer Prize.

The future of news is even more unsettling. AI-powered anchors and reporters are on the horizon, poised to replace their human counterparts. Video journalists and field reporters may still have a role, but they’ll likely follow AI-generated instructions on what questions to ask and which shots to capture.

Institutions like Northwestern and Columbia, long known for training top-tier journalists, will have to adapt. Their focus will shift to teaching students how to leverage AI for news gathering and publishing.

The industry has changed dramatically, and not necessarily for the better. Journalism as a career may soon be a relic of the past, replaced by an AI-driven model that values speed and efficiency over human insight and skill.

Comments

Anonymous said…

I’ve been working the last 12 years as a journalist. With a wife and child support I am living paycheck to paycheck. I am learning that my journalism degree has less value than a roll of toilet paper.

January 02, 2025 8:50 AM

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