Posted May. 1, 2008
By Randy Hines
Perhaps a few New England journalists have already found the Web site that allows them to sound off about what’s bugging them today. Take a minute to look if you haven’t already. With all the downsizing (such a poor substitute for laying off) in newsrooms across the country, many journalists are sore about their added responsibilities to get the same amount of work done with fewer hands.
AngryJournalists.com provides the outlet for newsroom employees to anonymously voice their complaints. The site provides its definition:”AngryJournalist.com is for the underpaid, overworked, frustrated, [&%$#]ed off and ignored media professionals to publicly and anonymously vent their anger. Share your story. With any luck, you'll feel better.”
The opening section’s brief introduction explains how it functions.
Why are you angry today?
Tell us what’s making you upset at your journalism job.
Anonymity guaranteed. One rule: no real names.
Due to trolls & spam, all comments are held for moderation.
Because of high volume, comments will be moderated once daily.
Comments are kept confidential and usually very little identification of the reporter’s employer is disclosed, for natural reasons. This tirade is typical of many gripes, even if it is more PG-rated than most. Why are you angry today?
Angry Journalist #3692:
When the bosses hire a new managing editor that has no newspaper experience. It has happened to me twice. Fantastic.
Also, the fact that the ad people spend money wildly, throwing parties and giving away money for those selling the most. Don’t get me wrong, ads are vital, but my god…could we save someone’s job if they didn’t have a monthly party? I say yes, yes we can.
Angry Journalist #3709:
I am angry because many of the people who are editors aren’t qualified to be editors, and they’re paid lots of money to do nothing.
Angry Journalist #3712:
I can’t stand my micro-managing editor who apparently thinks that journalism can only be accomplished on a 9-5 schedule. The majority of that time is spent updating a BS budget instead of reporting.
Angry Journalist #3690:
I’m sad because I write the same thing over and over and feel all used up when I come home late at night. And I’m angry because my co-workers from my last job work twice as much as I do for half as much money.
It’s not just traditional print journalists who get in on the complaints either. Consider the next examples from online journalists and photographers.
Angry Journalist #3694:
I’m angry that it takes about nineteen minutia-laden steps to accomplish even the most banal of tasks at the website I now work for.
Angry Journalist #3724:
It would be nice to have design not complete rape my photos for once, my paper doesn’t understand the term “photo essay.”
just because you can add design elements doesn’t mean you HAVE to, its not a flippin requirement. sometimes its best to let the photos stand for themselves.
oh and clip art is lame. oh wait, you mean you drew that yourself to look like clip art? you got a future in this biz buddy. keep that up, maybe you can have a future designing really cool church fliers some day.
Angry Journalist #2269:
"I'm a photographer or a photojournalist. Not a camera lady, photo lady or camera girl."
Some of the responses from journalists seem rather serious; others are almost comical. In the former category are admonitions about the poor quality of writing found in their own newspapers.
Angry Journalist #3722:
Excessive quoting.
I can understand their wanting to be careful about “sensitive topics” but it occasionally gets to the point where “they” think it’s “just” “fun” to “quote” words.
Angry Journalist #3720:
Apostrophes: Use, don’t abuse.
That include’s those of you screaming about biased newspaper’s and their liberal journalist’s.
Angry Journalist #3697:
I am angry with people who call themselves journalists yet cannot figure out the really, really SIMPLE difference between “its” and “it’s”.
Quite often one journalist will offer advice or criticism toward another’s previously posted comments. Here’s an example of helpful advice for a troubled and frustrated colleague.
Angry Journalist #3703:
To AJ# 3683:
Don’t take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. If Editor#1 is editing your work and getting you in trouble with Editor #2 than save an original copy of your work before you hand it to Editor #1. Then when Editor #2 complains about your work you have proof that its not your fault.
It’s not easy to stand up to an editor. I have a hard time myself, but you won’t grow or get any better if you don’t speak up for yourself.
Besides, I think Editor#2 would probably respect you more if you showed him what was happening to your stories.
Have courage! and a better day!
Then there is the snipe at nonjournalists who have discovered the site. Their comments are not appreciated by the working media professionals.
Angry Journalist #3696:
I am angry that non-journalists come and post on this website. Go away.
And then there’s the occasional post by someone who is not venting at all. Perhaps we have more journalists from New England who fit in this category.
Angry Journalist #3721:
It is upsetting that people in my profession get so angry. I’m happy I am not one of them.
I love working the grueling hours on my beat. It keeps me on my toes, it makes me a better journalist. And, isn’t that what we all want — to be better?
Instead of focusing on what is wrong, think about what is right. I have a passion for journalism. Do you?
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Randy Hines teaches at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. His 2008 paperback, “Print Matters: How to Write Great Advertising,” (www.racombooks.com) with Bob Lauterborn, the James L. Knight Chair of Advertising at UNC-Chapel Hill, is now available. Hines can be reached at randyhinesapr@yahoo.com.
