Harvard grad- Amelia Lester (image via theAge.com.au)
A few days ago, I tweeted about 26-year old Amelia Lester becoming the new managing editor for the New Yorker.
I gave her massive props because that’s a remarkable thing to accomplish at her age, but it isn’t surprising that the New Yorker hired her to lead the company. In fact, it’s smart.
The notion of a 26-year old leading a news organization goes against the grain of traditional journalism, but it’s no coincidence that Lester happens to be young.
Today, more than ever, age is just a number when it comes to working in the media industry.
For those who think differently, let’s consider the facts.
With the rise of digital media, social-networking, and web 2.0 (going on 3.0), to be a young journalist is more of an advantage than not.
I can’t speak for everyone, but most young people:
- grew up with the Internet so they understand how to interact and utilize the web.
- can relate to younger audiences who increasingly use the web.
- are not only eager, but it is also easier for them to learn new programs and concepts.
- are not attached to “how things used to be” or “the good ole’ days.” They are more willing to innovate and propose fresh ideas that (hopefully) will rock the boat, which is exactly what journalism needs.
- are willing to work many, many hours, for fairly cheap.
That being said, I do not discount the value of experience, and the wisdom and expertise that usually comes along with it. I won’t be ageist as long as the news industry refuses to be as well.
But most news companies are still playing a game of numbers.
Editor & Publisher recently published an article about an APME (Associated Press Managing Editors) survey that finds:
“Most of the 95 editors responding to the August survey said their newsroom staffs had shrunk by more than 10 percent during the past year. And workers between 18 and 35 years old represented the largest age group affected by the layoffs, buyouts and attrition.”
Cost-cutting younger reporters might have made sense ten to twenty years ago, but now it’s comparable to securing your company’s death wish.
The majority of newspaper companies are not successfully transitioning online, and they’re quickly becoming outdated and more importantly, out of touch. Most newspapers are not investing enough resources into their website, developing mobile products, or grasping the notion of multimedia storytelling. They’re held back by the lack of financial resources, manpower, and their obligations to their print counterpart.
But the last thing they should be doing is shaving off their young staff members.
Unlike previous generations, most young people coming out of college or still in college know more about the web and understand the future of news media than most vetted journalists do. Unlike their specialized colleagues, most young people know how write, film, shoot, and edit content for the web. In fact, young people are the ones teaching other seasoned journalists how to shoot and edit video and engage with new websites and trends. Young people have more innovative ideas to contribute than they are even allowed to share.
The E&P article agrees with me:
“Retaining younger workers may be more important than ever as the Internet reshapes the way stories and photographs are assembled and presented. While many older journalists are adapting, the adjustment presumably isn’t as difficult for younger workers who have grown up with the Internet and may have honed their digital skills in college. Having the viewpoints of younger workers also helps newspapers identify trends and issues affecting younger generations.”
11-year old Damon Weaver interviewing President Obama
Of course, when it comes down to it, being young is not a determinant for success. It’s still imperative to find young and qualified journalists. But traditional attitudes toward young people in the journalism industry needs to change. Let Amelia Lester be an example for news managers and aspiring journalists alike, that it’s not impossible to be both.
