This was a great read, Olivia. Thanks for taking the time to write it for the ones that still enjoy a long and thoughtful read. I started creating content about F1 earlier this year and, as time passed, I realised the danger of pushing journalists away in favour of fun, branded content creators. That's when I decided I wanted to study sports journalism so I could at least create content as objectively, accurately and truthfully as possible. Content creators are here to stay, and I think it's not a bad thing when it's balanced and taken by what it is: pure entertainment. But if that means less time and access for journalists, then I hope more professionals like you speak up and find ways to fight for unbiased reporting.
I’m so glad you’re using sports journalism lessons in your content creation! I completely agree that content creators are here to stay and that collaboration is key.
I couldn't agree more with you, Olivia!! As a journalist too, I recently had to take the Digital Content Creators and Journalists: How to be a Trusted Voice Online by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas because I also reached this conclusion that while the media landscape changes over time, we can as well evolve to fit the times as well. Content creation is here already. We might as well just learn how to incorporate it into our daily work to ensure our own survival rather than leave it to the hands of mere entertainment.
Hopefully, many more can rally up in time to defend our reputation and craft.
The solution is simple: content creators create content, and journalists create journalism. Most people find more value in short clips that don't need their brains to work hard. Good journalism requires a more complex mental job from an individual. But the outcome is one: if a journalist can craft a good story with many layers and drama, he outpaces thousands of content creators. Their destiny is processed mental food. So, keep doing good journalism and ignore the minor leagues, even if they gain more dollars and attention now.
As an arts journalist so much of this resonates for me and I also see this confusion in my students when I walk through different kinds of sources and what they do.
As someone who didn't go to school for journalism and still doesn't have any formal training in it, but who has done the hard work of cold calling, fact checking, multiple rounds of edits, putting feet to the pavement and interviewing people, etc. the "I’m 30 years behind the times and typing in an old-school newsroom haze, one where I’m romantically taking a drag of a cigarette while cold-calling, preferring the people I cover an arm’s length away" line resonated with me. And, I prefer those kind of stories over quick flashy soundbites.
This piece cuts to the heart of modern journalism and is beautifully written.
This is a really important piece. I've been saying many of these things for a long time. What happens in a world where everyone no longer cares about pay for play or just getting what you want at the expense of others? It's a scary future.
I would say there is a massive opportunity right now for a Motor Racing journalist to do some journalism, the kind that requires independence, courage and deep insight, that will set you above everyone else in the sport and show everyone what a journalist can be.
That is what is happening with the leadership of the FIA, and why the FIA voted to make the president of the FIA the overseer of ethical complaints.
A good start would be to interview David Richards, The head of MSUK. He already made these statements ahead of the vote that I found on the BBC:
Richards, whose role at MotorsportUK gives him a voting power at the FIA, told BBC Sport he was "concerned that major organisations around the world would refuse to work with the FIA if it did not reflect the highest standards of corporate governance, as befits our sport".
He added to The Race website: "Hopefully people will realise that this is not the right direction to take, and that we need to make sure that the FIA upholds the very best of sporting governance in the world.
"I'm hopeful that that will be the case. I'm hopeful that it's just an oversight, and people have not fully understood the consequences of this, and we can correct it before it changes."
So his hopes have been dashed, and the FIA has indeed decided it will no longer lead by example and reflect the highest standards of corporate governance.
Where does this leave MSUK and all the rest of us who are supposed to follow the ethical guidelines of the fIA, who have voted against maintaining the most basic of ethical structures?
Nice work. You have focused on an issue that actually goes beyond “what is journalism” for Gen Z. Without being reductionist, you could say the generation suffers across the board from “What is…” problems. My high school teacher friends tell me their freshmen have never read a book - any book - in its entirety. And don’t subscribe to journalism - just content and memes. So “what is…” a lot of things has no reference point because it takes more than three sentences (that’s content) to explain. Keep up the good work and stay deep.
I remember being taught in journalism school to not consume the refreshments at any event I was covering because it could look loosely like bribery and influence my opinion. It sounded a little extreme to me at the time (especially as a ravenous college kid who was tempted by free fancy food), but the core concept of journalistic independence is still relevant, especially now when I see companies paying for "reporters" to attend press events or VIP influencer vacations. Thank you for this read!
Interesting post. I think that Gen Z likes influencers because they confirm to an echo chamber. If people spout their own un-fact-checked (not really a word, but you get my gist) opinion, without any nuance or checks and balances, they get attention. They contribute to the internet echo chambers. That way, we can easily confirm to an influencer's opinion and 'join the team' without having to deal with the awkward feeling of having to listen to the other side's opinion. It's just another symptom of moral relativism that's permeating the internet these days.
Thank you for posting this, it's really good that you are raising awareness about this phenomena. It gives hope! :)
This is unsurprising considering the majority of media outlets I’ve worked for also don’t seem to know either. The increasing pressure on journalists to cover clients “organically” when it’s anything but is concerning, along with the amount of “journalists” in the industry without any formal training. Formal training doesn’t necessarily make you a better writer, but it sure as hell gives you the necessary background in the legal, ethical and moral issues at the centre of the job.
This was a great read, Olivia. Thanks for taking the time to write it for the ones that still enjoy a long and thoughtful read. I started creating content about F1 earlier this year and, as time passed, I realised the danger of pushing journalists away in favour of fun, branded content creators. That's when I decided I wanted to study sports journalism so I could at least create content as objectively, accurately and truthfully as possible. Content creators are here to stay, and I think it's not a bad thing when it's balanced and taken by what it is: pure entertainment. But if that means less time and access for journalists, then I hope more professionals like you speak up and find ways to fight for unbiased reporting.
I’m so glad you’re using sports journalism lessons in your content creation! I completely agree that content creators are here to stay and that collaboration is key.
I couldn't agree more with you, Olivia!! As a journalist too, I recently had to take the Digital Content Creators and Journalists: How to be a Trusted Voice Online by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas because I also reached this conclusion that while the media landscape changes over time, we can as well evolve to fit the times as well. Content creation is here already. We might as well just learn how to incorporate it into our daily work to ensure our own survival rather than leave it to the hands of mere entertainment.
Hopefully, many more can rally up in time to defend our reputation and craft.
The solution is simple: content creators create content, and journalists create journalism. Most people find more value in short clips that don't need their brains to work hard. Good journalism requires a more complex mental job from an individual. But the outcome is one: if a journalist can craft a good story with many layers and drama, he outpaces thousands of content creators. Their destiny is processed mental food. So, keep doing good journalism and ignore the minor leagues, even if they gain more dollars and attention now.
Great read and so relatable as a fellow Gen Z journalist!
As an arts journalist so much of this resonates for me and I also see this confusion in my students when I walk through different kinds of sources and what they do.
As someone who didn't go to school for journalism and still doesn't have any formal training in it, but who has done the hard work of cold calling, fact checking, multiple rounds of edits, putting feet to the pavement and interviewing people, etc. the "I’m 30 years behind the times and typing in an old-school newsroom haze, one where I’m romantically taking a drag of a cigarette while cold-calling, preferring the people I cover an arm’s length away" line resonated with me. And, I prefer those kind of stories over quick flashy soundbites.
This piece cuts to the heart of modern journalism and is beautifully written.
This is a really important piece. I've been saying many of these things for a long time. What happens in a world where everyone no longer cares about pay for play or just getting what you want at the expense of others? It's a scary future.
great read!
I would say there is a massive opportunity right now for a Motor Racing journalist to do some journalism, the kind that requires independence, courage and deep insight, that will set you above everyone else in the sport and show everyone what a journalist can be.
That is what is happening with the leadership of the FIA, and why the FIA voted to make the president of the FIA the overseer of ethical complaints.
A good start would be to interview David Richards, The head of MSUK. He already made these statements ahead of the vote that I found on the BBC:
Richards, whose role at MotorsportUK gives him a voting power at the FIA, told BBC Sport he was "concerned that major organisations around the world would refuse to work with the FIA if it did not reflect the highest standards of corporate governance, as befits our sport".
He added to The Race website: "Hopefully people will realise that this is not the right direction to take, and that we need to make sure that the FIA upholds the very best of sporting governance in the world.
"I'm hopeful that that will be the case. I'm hopeful that it's just an oversight, and people have not fully understood the consequences of this, and we can correct it before it changes."
So his hopes have been dashed, and the FIA has indeed decided it will no longer lead by example and reflect the highest standards of corporate governance.
Where does this leave MSUK and all the rest of us who are supposed to follow the ethical guidelines of the fIA, who have voted against maintaining the most basic of ethical structures?
Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations. -George Orwell
Nice work. You have focused on an issue that actually goes beyond “what is journalism” for Gen Z. Without being reductionist, you could say the generation suffers across the board from “What is…” problems. My high school teacher friends tell me their freshmen have never read a book - any book - in its entirety. And don’t subscribe to journalism - just content and memes. So “what is…” a lot of things has no reference point because it takes more than three sentences (that’s content) to explain. Keep up the good work and stay deep.
As a fellow Gen Z journalist, thank you for this! Perfectly articulated. Keep fighting the good fight!
I remember being taught in journalism school to not consume the refreshments at any event I was covering because it could look loosely like bribery and influence my opinion. It sounded a little extreme to me at the time (especially as a ravenous college kid who was tempted by free fancy food), but the core concept of journalistic independence is still relevant, especially now when I see companies paying for "reporters" to attend press events or VIP influencer vacations. Thank you for this read!
Interesting post. I think that Gen Z likes influencers because they confirm to an echo chamber. If people spout their own un-fact-checked (not really a word, but you get my gist) opinion, without any nuance or checks and balances, they get attention. They contribute to the internet echo chambers. That way, we can easily confirm to an influencer's opinion and 'join the team' without having to deal with the awkward feeling of having to listen to the other side's opinion. It's just another symptom of moral relativism that's permeating the internet these days.
Thank you for posting this, it's really good that you are raising awareness about this phenomena. It gives hope! :)
This is unsurprising considering the majority of media outlets I’ve worked for also don’t seem to know either. The increasing pressure on journalists to cover clients “organically” when it’s anything but is concerning, along with the amount of “journalists” in the industry without any formal training. Formal training doesn’t necessarily make you a better writer, but it sure as hell gives you the necessary background in the legal, ethical and moral issues at the centre of the job.
Current J-school student, super relatable...