The Recession is Killing Journalism

I have had two very interesting things happen in the last two weeks.  Both of them involve companies going out of their way to do the wrong thing.  Both involve a complete disregard for journalistic integrity, or any integrity for that matter.  Both times the companies told me that I’m overreacting.

The first incident was that a PR agent who I have known for years and years asked me “how much will a PC Magazine review cost?”  At first I didn’t understand the question.  The agent clarified, “how much will it cost me to get this in PC Mag?”  I responded that I don’t work that way.  She said that others do, which doesn’t surprise me, and we changed topics.

The second incident involves some videos that I was shooting for a blog.  This is a deal between Sarrel Group and the company.  In other words, it is a work for hire.  The deal was that I’m supposed to provide value for readers in the form of editorial content.  So I shoot the first video and do a great job explaining the topic.  And their response is, “This is terrible.  You need to talk about our product.  Why would we want something like this that doesn’t even mention our product?”

The answers revolve around two concepts which are really one and the same.  I have retained more than a shred of journalistic integrity, and you can’t buy my opinion.  Actually it all rolls up into one main concept which is that I have some degree of integrity.  And that is why my opinion matters – because it can’t be bought.  Or it can be bought but for advertising money not edit money and it needs to clearly state that it is an ad.

What makes companies think they can pull this crap?  My theory is that this is another nail in the coffin of being a professional writer.  First all us are dealing with rates being cut.  Now we’re getting pushed around and told what to write.  And apparently they can do it because we need the money.  Someone who used to get paid $2000 for an article and is now paid $500 for the same article might think it is OK to simply accept the $1500 from the vendor.  Now that I look at it that way, magazines can’t dig their own graves fast enough.

Yes, I need the money.  At this point Sarrel Group really needs the money.  But I would rather close shop than sacrifice the one thing that money can’t buy – my integrity.

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