Stories from the Beat - Yeah, I’m Going There, Sort Of.

 

Unless some unlikely scenario occurs, this will be the first fall in eighteen years that I won’t cover some sort of sporting event for Sauk Valley Media. Whoops, I should amend that. I didn’t cover sports in the Fall of 2020 because there were not many local sports to cover thanks to COVID-19. So, this is the first fall with all local sports occurring since 2003 that my name won’t appear in sports section ink for any SVM publication.

Why? Oh, there’s the long-winded version of that story, and the straight-to-the-point version. The middle road is this: I worked at SVM full-time for a decade (give or take), rising to the rank of Sports Editor. I left in late 2015 because I got a gig that allowed for a personal life. I accepted a part-time position to help the crew in the fall of 2016. That position was a casualty of COVID. This fall the offer from SVM to provide content as a freelancer (or Stringer in newspaper parlance) didn’t equal the value I give my free time. No hard feelings and life moved on.

I could fill two blogs with my thoughts on my former employer, on my former profession, and the relationship between media and the public. I don’t doubt some would enjoy that, as some would see it as an airing of dirty laundry for an industry that is in the public’s crosshairs now more than ever.

But that’s not me.

First, while I am not fond of the current direction of Shaw Media (the parent company of Sauk Valley Media), I was treated reasonably well during my tenure. I was able to work with tremendously talented people, and, for a time, we produced one of the best small-section sport sections in the country. I also have tremendous respect for the employees that remain at SVM, plugging away through morale-crushing blow after blow.

Second, I believe in journalism. I believe in asking questions that rankle the hairs of those in power (I don’t care about what letter is behind those people’s name either). I believe in telling the public what is happening in the most accurate terms possible. I believe journalism is the source of information for the citizenry. I believe journalism can also provide thoughts, opinions, and guidance. Will I agree with everything journalism produces? No, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m right and its wrong.

Finally, and this was 100 percent true. Whenever someone in a position of power started complaining to me and my colleagues about doing our jobs, calling us names, and frankly, being rude. They were always (let’s say that loud) ALWAYS the ones hiding something. So, when you flip on the TV and some talking head tells you not to believe the media, trust that they are hiding something, and want to keep it that way, and when it’s exposed, hope you won’t believe the people reporting it.

So, what the hell is this post about?

Well, part of this blog is going to be about my time at SVM, but only in how it relates to my writing journey. So, probably not juicy (well maybe a little), but if you’re breaking into writing there are lessons to be gleaned from my experiences.

My “Stories from the Beat” will talk about writing, reporting, listening, and learning. Stay tuned for more.