When Jim and I decided to start Editor-in-Grief, we envisioned it as more than just another media podcast. We wanted to create a space where we could dissect what’s happening in the media—the real story, not the version filtered through PR departments or sanitized for public consumption. It’s a chance to unpack the philosophy, the problems, and the outright absurdities of the industry we’ve been part of for decades. So welcome to the latest episode. Let’s dive into it.

What Are We Doing Here?

I kicked off the episode, as I often do, by questioning what this podcast is really about. Is it a reflection? A philosophical examination? Torture, as Jim so graciously put it? Probably a little bit of everything. Our goal is to shed light on what’s actually happening in the media versus what people think is happening. And yes, crankiness is definitely part of the equation.

One of the big topics we tackled this week was access journalism—you know, that thing where journalists tiptoe around the tough questions to avoid upsetting their sources or peers. It’s a phenomenon rooted in fear, complacency, and the herd mentality that dominates so many newsrooms. Jim and I have seen it all: reporters too scared to ask the hard questions because they don’t want to lose their precious access, beat writers parroting the same narratives, and the resulting stories that are, well, milk toast.

Jim put it best when he said, “The instinct to not stand out is human nature. Journalists aren’t immune to it.” Whether it’s in politics or sports, we see this over and over again—people playing it safe, sticking to the script, and refusing to rock the boat. The result? A cycle where the PR person sets the agenda, and the journalists just go along with it.

Burning Sources and Breaking Ranks

We also dug into the fear of “burning sources,” a phrase that drives me up the wall. If your source is worth anything, they’ll respect that you’re doing your job by asking tough questions. And if they don’t? Well, good riddance. A real journalist finds another way to get the story.

But here’s the thing: when one reporter decides to ask a real question, it upsets the whole ecosystem. The PR person gets mad, the other journalists get annoyed because now they can’t ask their “safe” questions, and suddenly, everyone’s blaming the one person who actually did their job. It’s maddening, but it’s also the reality of modern journalism.

Journalism in the Digital Age: Surviving the Winter

As the media landscape shifts, we’re seeing fewer journalists survive the ongoing layoffs and restructuring. And let’s be honest, the ones who stick around often do so by not rocking the boat. They’ve mastered the art of mediocrity, and that’s what’s rewarded in an industry terrified of upsetting advertisers or readers. It’s a depressing trend, but it’s one we’ve come to expect.

We talked about CNN’s latest round of layoffs—200 journalists gone, replaced by 200 digital roles. It’s the same story we’ve seen play out for years: newspapers going digital-first, cutting costs, and hoping for the best. But does it work? Rarely. The problem isn’t the format; it’s the fear of taking risks, of telling stories that matter instead of chasing clicks.

What Does the Future Look Like?

Jim and I also wrestled with a big question: can we create a truly unbiased, “true” news organization? One where facts are presented without spin, humanity, or bias? Honestly, I’m skeptical. People think they want “truth” in their news, but what they really want is something compelling. A sterile, AI-generated report of events isn’t going to cut it. People crave stories—the humanity, the context, the nuance. Strip that away, and you’re left with something no one wants to read.

At the end of the day, journalism is about more than just reporting facts. It’s about finding the humanity in a story, the little details that make it resonate. Jim summed it up beautifully: “You can make people upset, happy, curious, or inspired, but you can never, ever make them bored.” That’s the essence of good journalism. It’s not about pandering to readers or sources; it’s about telling stories that matter.

Questions for Jim and I? Email john@keepgoingpod.com and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Until next time, this is Editor-in-Grief. Thanks for listening.