Early Retirement

I'm done as a reporter.

As you know, or maybe you don't know, I was a reporter for TAPinto Montclair, a local news site in Montclair, New Jersey, franchised by the TAPinto group, until June of last year (2025), when my editor gave up the franchise.  I was not allowed to continue working for TAPinto without a franchisee and unless or until a new franchisee editor took over the Montclair site.  At the end of last year, a friend of mine negotiated for the Montclair franchise and got it, and he told me he would have me back covering the Montclair town council and planning board as soon as he got settled.  He more or less relaunched TAPinto Montclair in January.  He wanted me to write for him because he loved my reporting for TAPinto Montclair under the previous editor.  The last time I spoke to him was in early February, nearly two months ago. 

When it became apparent that my friend was in no rush to contact me about continuing to write for TAPinto Montclair, I decided to wait until March 31 to hear from him.  If I didn't hear from him be then, I'd cease pursuing a journalism career and retire from the profession.

It's March 31.  I haven't heard from him at all since early February.  Draw the conclusion.

Ahh, I don't care.  I've been keeping up a bit with what goes on in Montclair, and the news there is so depressing - animosity on the council, the possible bankruptcy of the school district . . . you get the picture.   I'm also increasingly tired, feeling sleepy in the daytime;  I felt sleepy at the same time I wrote this.  And, I want more time to spend on taking care of the community park in my neighborhood, which I seem to be doing all by myself these days, as my neighbors obviously can't be bothered.  I also want to spend more time on the Internet creating content.  

Even if it's silly content like this! 

Or this!

 

The truth is, journalism in These States, at all levels, is pretty much hitting the skids, declining and falling like the Roman Empire.  I, for one, do not intend or want to be part of its downward slide.  Especially when reporting something that someone in a position of power doesn't like may be hazardous to your health.

Goodbye, American journalism, it's been good to know ya, but the ball game is over. 

I might come out of retirement some time in the future, but don't bet on it. 

RIP Gwen Ifill

She was gracious on the air, professional in her work, and standard-setting for everyone in her field.  Gwen Ifill, who died of cancer at 61, was one of the few print reporters (she wrote for the Baltimore Sun and the New York Times) who made the transition to broadcast journalism on NBC and then PBS with ease.  She was always sharp and to the point in her questioning of Washington politicians and her insight on whatever story she reported, be it public affairs or popular music.  You will hear and have heard a lot about how she inspired other black women in journalism, but she inspired me as a reporter too.  Because she told everyone what happened and what it meant without any bias.  Obviously, I'm not talking about what I write here, but when I have more reporter's hat on, I try to follow Ifill's example.

I always found her work solid and substantial, and I remember defending her in Internet chat rooms and message boards from folks who found her reporting less than stellar, though on one occasion I did write her to critique a discussion with members of Congress and failing to return to an issue after her attempt to ask about it was interrupted by her guests.  I never got a reply, but I can only assume that she learned from whatever criticism she did receive to do her best, and that is pretty much anyone who is a reporter can do. And overall, Gwen Ifill's best was pretty good.  We're all going to miss her . . . especially in this brave and scary new era. :-(