I think journalism is in trouble. So much trouble that I’m leaving, rather than go down with what I see as a sinking ship. There is a way for the community to have a vibrant media however, and I’ll tell you what I see as the solution.
I hope that doesn’t come across as bitter, but the fact is I’ve stopped being a journalist because there’s no money in it.
Frankly, working as a reporter outside of a major urban centre is no way to make a living. You can’t raise a family on a reporter’s salary. Speaking from personal experience, I left the Express newspaper when it became clear I had reached the financial ceiling. If I wanted to grow, it would have to be elsewhere. I had hoped Inthekoots was the answer but – for the moment – it isn’t.
This problem extends to the major chains as well, I believe. I worked for a Black Press newspaper in the Central Interior. (Black Press is the same chain that runs most newspapers in the Kootenays, including the Nelson Star.) The only way I could get a raise was to move to a larger centre. The small town I started in (Fort St. James) could only support a certain salary so I moved to Prince George for more pay. I worked in that community for a little over a year, a record for that town. I remember arriving there and people asking how long I’ll stay.
I see something similar here in Nelson. Since the Nelson Star started in 2008 (shifting from the old Kootenay Western Star) they’ve gone through several reporters. Youthful enthusiasm is important in journalism, but I think the community loses out when reporters leave after a year or two.
Why settled journalists matter
Let me give an example that I think highlights the importance of having journalists with some roots in the community.
When the Occupy Nelson camp was coming down I attended with my camera. There were city workers and police all around as they dealt with the occupiers and their camp. I walked past one young man carrying a camera but didn’t give him a second glance. My focus was on the scene unfolding in front of me.
As I got closer, one of the police officers, a woman I’ve talked with many times over my five years here, approached me, asking me to step back. I respectfully declined and kept filming. She was concerned with ensuring the situation didn’t escalate and I was concerned with recording events, doing the essentials of journalism: recording what happens for those who can’t be there.
The police officer went to Police Chief Wayne Holland, who was also on scene, and I saw them discuss whether I should be moved back.
The decision was I was OK where I was and you can read the results of my story here and watch the video here. They knew who I was, knew my character and felt I wouldn’t be a hazard in that volatile, emotionally charged situation.
It was only after the camp came down that I realized the young man I passed earlier was a new reporter for the Nelson Star. He had undoubtedly been asked to stand back and had complied. The police didn’t know him and he didn’t know them, so that was probably a wise choice.
After the camp was trucked away the police officer came up to me and we laughed about our exchange earlier. We both agreed the situation was awkward but we both understood where the other was coming from. It was clear there was no disrespect intended from either the police officer or myself.
That relationship is one that can only grow from being in a community over a longer period. By the time these new reporters have cultivated those relationships, they’re looking to move on to a new job and a higher salary.
I had hoped I could provide that kind of service to Nelson, but it’s become obvious the salary isn’t to be found online, at least not yet. So it’s time for me to move on. I’ll stay involved with Inthekoots to a limited degree, but mostly as a voluntary effort.
It’s disappointing. I gave it all I had and I think I accomplished a fair bit. Here’s a list of some of the stories I broke before any other news outlet:
- Fire at the Kerr apartments
- The increase in costs in the city’s bus service and the resulting debate around transit cuts
- Pranksters dye Salmo River green
- Parking meter rates doubled
- Fire at the Redfish
I also introduced a new way of covering council, reporting live on their meetings, bringing a new insight to the way decisions are made in city hall. I attended every council meeting when they created the 2011 budget.
So what’s the solution?
I still believe in the vision and potential of Inthekoots to bring the community together.
What’s needed is greater involvement from the community members. Instead of waiting for a journalist to tell your story, tell it yourself. Inthekoots makes it possible for everyone to become their own reporter. Once you learn the basics of using the system, you’ll know how to broadcast your message to the Kootenay community and the world beyond.
The model is changing. Businesses are starting to learn they need to engage their audience beyond old fashioned ads in a newspaper. They have to tell their story and they have to engage with their customers in meaningful ways, something that’s only possible online. As their focus shifts to the electronic world, I believe the advertising revenue is going to dry up as well. Without the money, the budget for journalism will shrink even further and our community will be served less by our newspapers.
The answer is to use the internet, use Inthekoots, to tell your own stories.
Chris Shepherd
Chris Shepherd is still the managing editor for the Inthekoots Network.
