Graduate worries over future in media

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Graduating college is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life. Then, why do I feel so nervous?

In the last two weeks, I&8217;ve gotten my diploma from Montevallo, moved, started a new job, broken off a relationship, and lost a pet turtle. But even with that stress, I worry most about my future in the evolving field of journalism.

Some changes are great. Internet blogs and podcasts allow readers even more control over their news intake. What troubles me is news&8217; convergence with pop culture.

I chose to enter a career in which who wins &8220;American Idol&8221; is becoming bigger news than who&8217;s elected mayor of Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Today&8217;s media focuses more on Britney Spears almost dropping her son than America have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the industrialized world.

By the time I&8217;m ready to retire, I fear that news and &8220;People&8221; magazine will be undistinguishable &045; delivered via the Internet by Katie Couric&8217;s clone.

Maybe the fusion is inevitable and maybe that is what people want, but I can&8217;t help by mourn the loss of &8220;news.&8221;