The kids will be alright, but we need to help them

A legendary Texas newspaper publisher once told me, “Community newspapers will continue to exist as long as there are those willing to staff them.” 

This was a dozen years ago, and he saw the writing on the wall then. It was getting harder to hire young talent into the industry. 

Today, the problem persists. That is why I’ve dedicated my work to bridging the generational gap among journalists. 

By Austin Lewter, director Texas Center for Community Journalism

I’ve crossed the state and the much of the nation this spring talking to young people— college journalists, high school journalists and early career pros working there first newsroom jobs. 

The good news is that the future is bright. The kids will be alright, but they need our help. 

Dialing in and learning what makes them tick will pay dividends for the future of our industry. 

If you want to understand the future of the newsroom, stop asking what young journalists will tolerate and start asking what they expect.

At the Center, we are conducting an ongoing survey of emerging journalists. Pairing what we’ve learned so far with broader industry research paints a clear picture.

Early-career reporters are not abandoning journalism. They’re redefining the terms under which they’re willing to practice it. And for publishers, that distinction matters.

There’s more good news. The motivation to do meaningful work remains remarkably strong.

Roughly 80% of respondents said they are driven by the desire to tell important stories, and nearly two-thirds still view journalism as essential to democracy. 

That sense of mission has not eroded. If anything, it has intensified among younger cohorts entering a chaotic information environment.

But the conditions surrounding that mission have changed, and young journalists are increasingly unwilling to ignore them.

Work-life balance and mental health concerns top the list. Younger journalists are far more likely than their older counterparts to report negative impacts on their emotional well-being.

About half of those under 30 say the job harms their mental health. 

Exposure to online harassment, often via social media, plays a significant role. 

In fact, more than 80% of younger journalists who experienced harassment say at least some of it occurred online. 

That reality is shaping workplace expectations. 

Flexibility is no longer a perk. It’s a prerequisite. 

So is institutional support — whether that means mental health resources, clear safety protocols or simply managers who understand the pressures of the job.

Equally important is compensation and stability.

And then there’s the question of skills. 

Many young journalists feel confident in foundational reporting abilities but underprepared for the realities of a modern newsroom.

This is especially true when it comes to emerging technologies, data literacy and business acumen. 

They don’t just want jobs. They want training that reflects where the industry is going, not where it has been.

That forward-looking mindset extends to values as well.

Diversity and inclusion are not abstract ideals for this generation. They are seen as essential to the credibility and sustainability of journalism itself. 

Nearly nine in ten early-career respondents said diversity is critical to the industry’s future. 

Perhaps most notably, young journalists are far more comfortable operating in a hybrid media ecosystem. 

They see value in social media as a reporting tool, particularly for finding sources and identifying stories.

Even still, they acknowledge its broader challenges. 

They are also more open to nontraditional platforms like newsletters, podcasts and independent publishing models.

They see these as legitimate forms of journalism, and they are correct. 

For publishers and editors, the takeaway is straightforward but not easy.

The next generation of journalists are not asking for less work or lower standards. 

They are asking for sustainable careers, relevant training and workplaces that reflect both the realities of modern media and the values they bring to it.

We can’t ignore those preferences, and it behooves us to meet them where they are. 

If not, we risk losing talent we cannot afford to replace.

If we adapt, there is still time to build newsrooms and succession plans that are sustainable.

I encourage you to join the conversation. The future of our industry depends upon bridging the generation divide, and that starts by bringing all generations to the table. 

We did this in April at the NETPA convention in Pilot Point and the TGCPA/STPA Convention in Port Lavaca. 

We had some amazing conversations. We need to have more. 

TPA president Lisa Chapell recently asked if we could assemble a rotation of young journalists to contribute regular columns to the The Messenger. 

She thought this might be of value to our readers and give young people a chance to air what’s important to them in the industry— another way to continue this conversation. 

I couldn’t agree more. Look for those columns in upcoming issues of the Messenger. 

In the meantime, our survey is ongoing, as are the conversations about the future of community newspapers.

The future is bright, but it will take all generations to see that to fruition.