I’m hurting as is every journalist in America right now. I keep asking myself, “where do we go from here?” and I keep thinking there is no answer.
As journalists we have to respond, we have to be there for the public, and we need to inform but where do we draw the line?
When I started my career in news not long ago, I was unaware of the risk of the job. College classes do not tell you you’re going to have to be alone at a shooting, chase a tornado by yourself, or that you’re going to get heckled by people who “hate the media.” But, all of that has happened and happens every day to journalists across the country.
I knew the business would be hard, but I didn’t think it’d get to a point where people would die.
I don’t know Dylan. I never have but I feel so close to his spirit right now. I pray what comes out of his tragic incident is better care for reporters and photographers in the long run. I don’t have the answers but I pray big news owners and executives come together to find a solution. This is not the first time something like this has happened and it may not be the last.
At 24yrs old my heart is just in pieces. The life he had ahead, the passion he had, the good he wanted to do, it all pains me beyond belief that was cut short. This could’ve happened anywhere, to anyone.
I remember after leaving my first market all I wanted was to finally feel safe. My coworkers and I covered shootings alone often, as well as dangerous tornadoes and other severe events. To think about this makes me sick. How are we letting this happen? I remember wanting to come to this blog many times to speak about how I was feeling. I never did because I felt like I’d be shamed for it.
Today, Dylan’s tragic incident is giving journalists across the country the gumption to stand up and say this is all not OK. As I scroll on social media I see so many others calling on safer measures. I don’t know what those measures look like. Dylan was not alone and this horrible act STILL happened.
Right now I’m also thinking of all those journalists who are kids in their first market. They’re going to shootings – alone, knocking on doors – alone, in front of a camera not seeing behind them -alone, getting heckled by people who hate the media – alone. I’m clearly word vomiting as I type but my point is that safety should always be a priority no matter what.
And while I’m at – let’s freaking do something about guns. Why are they so easily accessible to someone with a lengthy criminal record? WE NEED TO STOP BAD PEOPLE FROM GETTING GUNS.
I’m just broken to pieces for News 13, Orlando news stations, and Dylan’s fiance and family.
