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I was trying not to say anything about that dumb tweet from this morning but it is such an unnecessary shot across the bow at reporters who put up with so much shit this year (and most years).
But if we’re keeping score, let’s recap what local reporters really did in 2020.
But if we’re keeping score, let’s recap what local reporters really did in 2020.
In Chattanooga, we all, TV stations and our paper, worked *around the clock* to give you COVID, protest, election and all kinds of other in depth reporting.
I, and others, had days between March-June where I both started work and clocked out in the wee hours of the morning.
I, and others, had days between March-June where I both started work and clocked out in the wee hours of the morning.
I, and others, got COVID, tear gassed, threatened, constantly berated by anyone from officials and sources to readers bc of this politically sourced hate for the media —which this woman decided to fan the flames of for no good reason today.
And we did all that during weekends, overtime and obscene hours, most of us at sub-median income, to go another round.
Not one of us posting a story per week or making six figures (or anything close) to my knowledge.
Not one of us posting a story per week or making six figures (or anything close) to my knowledge.
And when we were done with the unparalleled daily load, we also gave you great stories and service like:
@News4Mass’s insane bible oil reporting which resulted in the questionable ministry shutting down: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2019/nov/26/bible-flowing-oil/509213/
@News4Mass’s insane bible oil reporting which resulted in the questionable ministry shutting down: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2019/nov/26/bible-flowing-oil/509213/
My reporting on habitual transparency violations that got a whole new state law passed: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/feb/01/hamiltcounty-attorneys-destroy-public-records/514665/
@ecfite was also great before COVID — but did the best job of anyone locally of humanizing the pandemic and its toll in a lot of stories including this one: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/oct/10/virus-mike-carter/533863/
@HughesRosana and my work to expose corrupt landlords taking advantage of a whole immigrant community during the aftermath of the storm and for years prior:
@PatrickFilbin has covered the dual senate runoff in Georgia like a champ, with all kinds of national and local context: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/nov/11/georgielectiwebsite-shows-dade-county-mdied-2/535893/
And the TFP isn’t special. I mean we obvs are, but WPLN, The Tennessean, Tennessee Lookout and so, so many others did insane work too. And that’s just TN.
The Louisville Courier-Journal and the Atlanta Journal Constitution proved the exact profound value of local news this year.
The Louisville Courier-Journal and the Atlanta Journal Constitution proved the exact profound value of local news this year.
And I don’t want a pat on the back for it. It’s our job and it’s one that we signed up for knowing about the work, pay and challenges that come with — and make a lot of us leave.
But I’m also not ok with someone inaccurately and heinously describing the decline of journalism — which we’re all fighting even though we didn’t cause it and some of us are younger than the trend — as a product of our laziness or cushy treatment.
Get real.
Get real.
If you got anything at all out of any of this reporting this year, support local journalism.
Or at least don’t come for our throats because you’re bored and it sounds like a fun political controversy, because we’re tired.
Or at least don’t come for our throats because you’re bored and it sounds like a fun political controversy, because we’re tired.
