Are Journalists Underpaid?

Slate ^ | Dec. 20, 2005 | Daniel Gross

[baystaterebel]

The New York real-estate boom is claiming a different kind of casualty, according to an article in Sunday's New York Times. Keying off a new report issued by the Center for an Urban Future, Jennifer Steinhauer noted that, thanks to high housing prices, many of the creative types who work in Manhattan-centered fields like advertising, publishing, and the arts are being priced out of the city. This, presumably, could damage New York in the long run, since it's an article of faith among nouveau-urban thinkers that the creative classes are a huge economic advantage, as the author Richard Florida has persuasively argued.

It could also damage journalism. The journalists who write these stories about people who can't afford to live in New York can't afford to live in New York, either. And that's a trend that may prove just as corrosive to establishment media as any disruptive technology.

[motzman]

Are Journalists Underpaid?

"Well, the world needs ditch-diggers and journalists, too..." /Judge Smails

[Cobra64]

BWAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAA!

Is that the sound of a baby screaming, or crying? I don't get it.

[Thebaddog]

Never mind them. If the average Joe or Jill Reporter got heavy numbers, the herd mentality would break down. Those mopes in NYC and Hollywood believe their own stuff too much to ever turn normal.

But you do know that I'm being facetious here.

[WatchYourself]

Then, don't live in New York...

[moog]

Has their ever been a more self absorbed creature put on this planet than a journalist?

An amoeba or Downy are pretty self absorbing.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Are Journalists Underpaid?

I remember a song we used to sing in the "O" club in RVN...for all of the good they might as well be shoveling $hit on the isle of Capri...

[Mad_as_heck]

Underpaid? How about a salary cap for journalists?

[null and void]

Has their ever been a more self absorbed creature put on this planet than a journalist?

Clinton?

[Irish Eyes]

Given the types of lives many journalists wish to lead—and think they're entitled to lead by virtue of their education and positions—the wages aren't anywhere near sufficient.

Ha ha ha ..It dosnt' get better than this.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Journalists...PLEASE please please please...go on strike. If it takes two years and all the mainstream presses have to shut down, please go on strike. It's not the money, it's the...uh...principle of the thing. Yeah that's it. Whatever the reason, just STRIKE!!!

[Godzilla]

They need to find a real job anyway.

[Hurricane]

They are not underpaid,just underhonest.

[rllngrk33]

The problem is we have too many professional "journalists" with an agenda and not enough old fashioned reporters who report the facts.

[pointsal]

I am going to be sick...

[chainsaw]

Are Journalists overpaid? Silly question! The ones I know are.

[porkchops 4 mahound]

As soon as you find a "journalist" we could check. But my guess is that if you could find a "journalist", they should come in through the kitchen, and no self respecting person ought to be known to associate with said "journalists". But I digress.

From the standpoint of benefit to America, vs., cost to America; the Lamestream, "Hate Amerika First!", 5th. column for any, and all, of America's enemies, these vermin, these so-called "journalists", we should charge them for the air they breathe, and rent for their foot prints.

For those "journalists" who are cast of our American traditions, who understand their blood IS American, who understand their words have consequences that are paid in the blood, and sweat, and tears of their fellow citizens, their families, their friends; for them, their weight in precious stones is not near enough.

[SampleMan]

the creative classes

Statements like this deserve a quick punch in the mouth. I used to know a journalist at the local fish wrapper, free, alternative paper. He would complain that reporters were underpaid. Always in a way that implied that salaries were set or at least should be set by the federal government.

Although he deserved a punch in the mouth, I instead engaged him in conversation. It went like this.

"So if you should be getting paid more, and you deserve it so much, why don't you demand it and threaten to quit?"

"Because they would let me quit?"

"Can they replace you?"

"There are dozens of people willing to take my job, just to be able to write."

"Then you aren't worth more money are you?"

Sad beat puppy look from him. Mean, 'you just ruined the dinner party' look from my wife.

[chainsaw]

First of all, journalists report facts, not opinions

That's news to me. They may report the manufactured stories and try to pass it off as true fact. (ie.) Dan Rather

[Political Junkie Too]

Jennifer Steinhauer noted that, thanks to high housing prices, many of the creative types who work in Manhattan-centered fields like advertising, publishing, and the arts are being priced out of the city. This, presumably, could damage New York in the long run, since it's an article of faith among nouveau-urban thinkers that the creative classes are a huge economic advantage

They have it all backwards!!!

Don't raise the incomes of journalists whose papers are losing subscribers. They should use eminent domain to take Trump Tower and turn it into low-income housing so more people can afford to live in NYC. After all, it's better for the economy, so they say.

-PJ

[NYCVirago]

It could also damage journalism. The journalists who write these stories about people who can't afford to live in New York can't afford to live in New York, either. And that's a trend that may prove just as corrosive to establishment media as any disruptive technology.

Yeah, they might actually to see what life is like on Staten Island or Queens or Jersey -- you know, places other than the Upper West Side. Boo hoo.