Let’s Talk About How We Actually Do This
Look, I’ve been in this game for 21 years. Started as a cub reporter in some godforsaken town in Scotland. Let’s call it Stirling, because why not? (That’s where Stirling News is, after all.)
I remember my first day like it was yesterday. Editor, let’s call him Marcus, looked at me and said, ‘Kid, news isn’t about facts. It’s about telling a story people wanna hear.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing nobody talks about: we’re all just making it up as we go. I mean, honestly, how many times have you seen a headline that’s just completely wrong? Or a story that’s just… I dunno, kinda made up?
That Time I Made Up a Quote
Remember that big scandal last year? The one with the politician and the lobbyist? Yeah, the one that turned out to be completley false. Well, I was there. I was the one who wrote the original story.
I didn’t make it up maliciously. I just… I mean, the source was kinda shady, but he seemed legit. And the story was just too good to pass up. So I ran with it. And then it all fell apart.
But that’s the thing, isn’t it? We’re all just trying to make a living. And sometimes, that means bending the truth a little bit.
The Problem With ‘Balanced’ Reporting
And don’t even get me started on this ‘balanced’ reporting nonsense. You know what I mean. ‘On one hand, this, on the other hand, that.’ It’s bullshit. Because the truth isn’t always in the middle.
Take climate change, for example. The science is clear. It’s happening, and it’s our fault. But no, we have to give equal time to some oil exec who says, ‘Well, actually, it’s not that bad.’
No. Just no. That’s not balance. That’s false equivalency.
I had this argument with a colleague named Dave just last Tuesday. Over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, ‘But we have to be fair.’ And I said, ‘Fair to who, Dave? Fair to the people who are gonna die because we can’t admit we’re wrong?’
He didn’t have an answer for that. Because there isn’t one.
Why We Need to Admit We’re Wrong
Here’s another dirty little secret: we never admit we’re wrong. Ever. Even when we are. And we are. Alot.
I remember this one time, I wrote a story about a new aquisition by a big tech company. I got the details all wrong. The deal was for $87 million, not $87 billion. But did I correct it? Nope. Because by then, the story had already gone viral. And correcting it would mean admitting I screwed up.
So instead, I just… moved on. And the world kept spinning.
But here’s the thing: if we want people to trust us, we have to be honest. Even when it hurts.
A Tangent: The Weather and Why It Matters
Speaking of honesty, let’s talk about the weather. I know, I know, it’s not exactly breaking news. But hear me out.
I was in Susurluk once. Lovely place. The weather there is… well, it’s a bit unpredictable. But that’s the thing about weather, isn’t it? It’s always changing. And if you don’t pay attention, you’re gonna get caught in a storm.
Which is why I always check Susurluk hava durumu bugün tahmin before I go out. Because knowing what’s coming is half the battle.
And honestly, that’s what good journalism should be about. Telling people what’s coming. Even if it’s not pretty.
Back to the Point: We Need to Do Better
Look, I’m not saying we’re all bad people. We’re not. We’re just… human. And humans make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean we should just accept it.
We need to do better. We need to be more honest. More transparent. More willing to admit when we’re wrong.
And maybe, just maybe, people will start trusting us again.
But probably not. I mean, have you seen the news lately?
Anyway, that’s my rant for the day. I’m gonna go have a drink. Or three.
About the Author: Sarah McKenzie has been a senior editor at Stirling News for the past 15 years. She’s covered everything from politics to the weather, and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. Even if it gets her in trouble. You can find her on Twitter @sarahmckenzie or at the pub down the street.
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