By VANNESSA MARAVILLA
The UNITY News

The always stressful journalism industry has become even more so as rounds of buyouts and layoffs cast a cloud of uncertainty over rapidly shrinking newsrooms.

Journalists are forced to work harder than ever as they try to both keep their jobs and fill the roles of former colleagues. Many struggle to stay sane while bracing for the sting of the unexpected.

“It does affect you profoundly and is somewhat of a downer,” said Bobby Caina Calvan, a 43-year-old reporter at the Sacramento Bee. “All the while you are trying to not hear the bad news.”

The negative climate has prompted Calvan and his colleagues to band together and stick it out, bringing greater camaraderie to the newsroom.

Others, though, have simply left, opting for more stable careers such as teaching or public relations.

Ernabel Demillo, a former Fox newscaster in New York City, quit the business in 2007 after 15 years. Demillo, who said she knew she wanted to be a journalist since she was 11, said she grew tired of the daily grind.

“The business was changing,” said Demillo, lamenting the growing lack of in-depth reporting that drew her to the industry in the first place. “I eventually stopped loving it.”

Now an assistant professor in journalism at St. Peter’s College in New Jersey, Demillo finds that teaching is a way to feed her passion while imparting her expertise to the next generation.

Journalists who continue to work in newsrooms recommend learning fresh skills in multimedia to stay afloat in this business and keep burnout at bay.

“Be adaptable,” said Judy Lin, a 30-year-old reporter at the Sacramento Bee. “Play different roles beyond traditional reporting.”

Open dialogue about what the future holds could also help boost newsroom morale, said Calvan, who said he remains optimistic about the industry. Journalists are truth-seekers, making them among the most important members of a democratic society, he said.

“We are the fourth estate, the people’s advocate,” said Calvan, who entered the business because he likes questioning authority and holding government accountable. “We are the people’s conscience. That’s what makes me want to stay with it.”

While the medium or method of delivering the news may change, the job will remain essential.
“Maybe there will be fewer journalists,” Calvan said, “but the need for what we do will remain constant.

topic: Industry Issues
tags: budget cuts, buyouts, layoffs, newspapers

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