Being a journalist takes a certain amount of ferocity. You’re constantly haggling with sources, editors, readers, critics, friends who wish you’d chill out, and partners who secretly (or not-so-secretly) wish you’d quit talking through both dinner and breakfast about whatever story is currently under your skin.
You’re also used to people saying “no”: No, they don’t want to talk to you. No, they don’t want to give you that document. No, they don't like you or what you do. No, they can’t pay you that rate per-word (or provide health insurance). And no, you definitely can’t put that in the story.
My favorite journalists—the ones who remind me that our role is about so much more than one story or even one community—are those who don’t seem to ever care when they’re faced with all the no’s, all the critics, all the obstacles.
That’s why, during our fall fundraising campaign, I’m making a donation—albeit a small one, since that’s what I can afford, my friends—in honor of three of the most ferocious and dogged journalists I’ve ever met: fellow SEJ board member Roger Witherspoon, Arizona Daily Star reporter Tony Davis, and Grist’s Naveena Sadasivam.
If you’ve ever had a hero—or read words in your local newspaper that informed or inspired you—please let us know who that is using #HonoringTheHeroes, and consider a contribution to SEJ in their name. We’ll be sure to use that money to make sure more and more journalists have the resources they need to keep fighting.
Thank you!
Laura Paskus
SEJ Board of Directors
