Being a journalist is
hard work. There are the long hours, the little pay and don’t forget
the unappreciated effort. Journalists live very unglamorous lives.
That’s why shareholders editors and publishers are doing journalists a
favor in laying them off.
With the thousands of layoffs of late, the percentage of journalists leaving the industry is, for the first time, higher than the percentage of readers leaving newspapers.
In fact, editors, publishers, senior editors, managing editors and deputy managing editors have been so busy lately laying off journalists, they can’t even find time to think about strategies of ways to save the newspaper business.
Now, instead of worrying about how to juggle four court cases, finding art for the weekend’s centerpiece and finding the time to write three stories and four briefs before deadline, recently laid off journalists now only have to worry about updating those resumes and deciding when is it too early to start drinking.
These former journalists now have all that free time to write that book they have been meaning to get at, decide which newspaper and magazine subscriptions to cancel (which can only make things better) and explore their new interests in working at call centers and running fast food restaurants.
And all these layoffs are great news for the rest of the newsrooms. No more long lines for the vending machines or waiting for the copier. It might also mean a new a desk and chair and a closer parking spot.
Also, no more worries about their stories making A1 since it’s now more than likely they are not only writing the lead story but also the rest of the paper.
