Journalism: An Underappreciated Profession

Journalism as a profession has a few myths surrounding it that often lead to a negative perception from those who are currently or have considered going into the field in the future. These myths are easily disproved, and Shane Fitzgerald, Phil Gianficaro, and Ashley Williams all from the Intelligencer came to Pennridge to discuss what being a journalist is really like.  Not only is journalism viable as a job, but the industry itself is far from dying despite what many may say.

Children aspiring to be journalists are sometimes discouraged by others and told that there is no money in it or that it does not hold many opportunities for improvement or personal growth. This is simply not true. Shane Fitzgerald, the executive editor of The Intelligencer and the Bucks County Courier Times, told the students of Pennridge that although you may expect a job as a journalist to have you stuck behind a desk, that is not the case. Traveling both locally and farther is an important part of journalism. Meeting people and seeing places outside of the office is essential to writing and getting a better view of the world, which can enhance your writing.

Fitzgerald claims that as a journalist, “you never have the same day twice.” Whether talking to new people or visiting new locations, a week for journalists is full of unique experiences. Phil Gianficaro, a writer from the Bucks County Courier Times, talks to as many people as he can every day in order to share their stories through his writing. A particular group of stories that had the biggest impact on him was those shared by Holocaust survivors. Gianficaro recognizes the importance of his job, saying, “I don’t know another profession where   people will sit down and pour their hearts out to you like that.”

A widespread myth about journalists is that their job lands them stuck behind a desk. The job has led both Fitzgerald and Ashley Williams, a coworker of his, to different places. Having moved around and seen different locations, both of them were able to cover different types of stories and see different perspectives.

Finally, the myth that journalism is a dying industry could not be farther from the truth. Although many people immediately think of physical newspapers and how few of them they see now, the industry is far from dead, and many publications are actually growing. Even if one was to assume that physical newspapers were dying, the Intelligencer is here to disprove it. According to Fitzgerald, print still supports over half of the publication’s revenue. Although people may not personally buy physical newspapers, there is still a market for them around the world.

Companies such as the Intelligencer are very aware of the changing times in respect to technology. Fitzgerald shared some insight into this area. The growth numbers for both The Buck County Courier Times and the Intelligence show that the Courier Times has increased its digital subscriptions by 165 percent in the last year, while the Intelligencer has increased its digital subscriptions by 95 percent.

Although there is some warped understanding of the journalism industry from the public, the profession is still very much viable. Not only is the industry not dying, but it is actually growing. Many people may not even consider what they are reading when they get their news online, and Fitzgerald recognizes this. With a heavy push into digital advertising and digital journalism, both The Intelligencer and the Bucks County Courier Times have big plans for the future and continue to show that journalism is impactful, important, and a completely realistic career for those interested.