One of the most frustrating aspects of learning about mass media is seeing people express justified frustrations with national, commercial media outlets and discounting journalism in general, instead of supporting their local news ecosystems.

Yes, national outlets like cable news absolutely sensationalize and simplify stories for viewership. You know who doesn’t? Your struggling local newspaper or your local public radio station, etc. The journalists doing the best work are often the most underpaid and overlooked.

And this is unfortunately an effort that we as journalists have to undertake. We can’t expect people to understand these contrasts when the loudest journalism voices in the room, the ones with the most money, are also the worst.

Which is why I have so much respect for the engagement aspect of journalism and the people who do that work, and why they deserve a lot more money and time!