For a long time there has been a stereo-type/myth/semi-fact that most newspaper editors have a bottle of hard liquor stored in their bottom desk drawer.
Professional journalism is not an easy gig and there are days when you can imagine how a bottle of whiskey may be soothing. It’s an unyielding job that requires a knack of listening, letting your mind become vulnerable to all sides and then an acceptance of the task – to filter, distill, and prioritize the news that matters to your readership.
I can’t say I have mastered any of the above yet, few editors would say they have, but I know we strive each day to do so.
As a journalist who has worked in trade publications most of my career (there were two small stints working for community newspapers) I can tell you these publications are a different beast.
And I do mean beast.
Trade publications are historically known as cheerleaders for their industry. Traditionally, editors of these publications have filled the pages with feel-good-success stories, latest technologies and current event news. If they ventured into something controversial often their readership bulked, turned ugly and questioned the newspaper’s allegiance.
Only in the last 20 years have you seen agricultural trade publications begin to take on hot button issues of their industry. I commend those editors who have come before me who have seen the importance of this objective style of reporting.
For how does an industry improve without facing its problems?
Yes, trade pubs still like to make people feel good, but they don’t solely print rah-rah stories. Instead, today’s agricultural publications are created, edited, and published with an understanding that “good news” and “tough to hear news” gives their readers the most value.
Hopefully readers understand that too. And if not, well . . . there’s always that bottom drawer.
– Codi Vallery-Mills