Photo by Anna Alva.
The words ‘dying industry’ come up a lot when I tell people I’m a journalist. Whether I’m talking to a stranger at a bus stop or a family member I haven’t seen in a while, they often express concern for my career prospects. Once, someone even told me not to become “one of those journalists who make things up.”
I’ll be honest, in the moment, I laughed awkwardly and moved on. But now in retrospect, I wish I could make them see what I’ve seen during my time at the Martlet — not a dying industry, but a changing one.
While layoffs at major media companies are dominating headlines, journalists in Canada are still finding ways to hold power to account and share essential, true information. Some write for independent, non-profit publications, while others have found an audience in new corners of the internet like Substack and Patreon, and yes, many still work for traditional news outlets despite the fact that it seems like these jobs are disappearing.
The same goes for student newspapers. Despite new challenges popping up each issue, I’ve seen them persevere first hand as Editor-in-Chief of the Martlet. When Meta blocked our content from Canadian viewers, we found new ways to reach our audience. When institutions refused to take us seriously and provide comments, we persisted. And as the news industry continues to change, we will adapt.
As young people come face to face with a mounting number of social issues, the work of student journalists and the Martlet’s mandate to act as an agent of constructive change is essential. So, I want to thank our hardworking staff and volunteers who have helped keep the Martlet going for its 76th year, even on the days when the future felt bleak and our impact feels minimal. The work done at the Martlet will continue to be more important, not less, and I can’t wait to see the work you take up in Volume 77.
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