So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it.
Lord, let your laughter ring forth.
–Molly Ivins
I am one lucky journo.
So many times in the past 30 years I paused, looked up to the heavens, and thanked the stars that someone was actually paying me to do this fabulous journalism thing.
But as my friend Amy Gahran lamented today in her E-Media Tidbits column, that spirit is long gone from newspaper newsrooms today.
As I know from up-close and personal experience, many newsrooms have been poisoned by a hateful blend of slash, blame and holier-than-thou attitude.
May they all be encased in amber. Soon.
As my friend Molly Ivins once wrote, “I don’t so much mind that newspapers are dying – it’s watching them commit suicide that pisses me off.”
That’s not the culture that lured me into this business, but it is what drove me away.
Once again, though, I got lucky.
My students at UNLV are wonderfully enthusiastic about committing solid, ethical, world-changing and interesting journalism.
They are curious sponges, soaking up every “how-to” and “why” as fast as I can dish it out. They’re excited about experimenting with cell phones and useful tools with wacky names like Twitter and Netvibes and Utterz and Drupal. (Lookout guys, Ning‘s next!)
In this faux town, they chose grounded and interesting beats, including poverty, health and nutrition, women’s health, feminism, the diverse neighborhood near the university, celebrity philanthropy, animals, parking, podcasting, social networking, UNLV basketball, Rebel sports, street racing in Vegas, (update) a local’s guide to Vegas entertainment, a critical look at cosmetic surgery, the NFL Draft and the environment.
They understand that there may be no “man” to go work for, and that they are responsible for establishing their credibility, their brand.
Their stories are relevant, engaging, full of facts, context and staying power.
They are the future.
And ya’ know what, Molly?
We’re having fun!
Charlotte-Anne Lucas 