Veteran journalists persevere, but concerns linger about the new generation of journos

Veteran journalists say that despite recent job cuts in the industry, they will keep telling the stories people trust them with.

The closure of Newshub and cancelling of TVNZ’s news programmes including Fair Go and Sunday have left approximately 368 people working in news production without a job.

TVNZ journalist Mark Crysell lost his job when the news show Sunday was cancelled, leaving him with a “bittersweet feeling”.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had, especially here at TVNZ, but I’m kind of heartbroken because I’m a little bit worried about what comes next.”

Despite the situation, he says that he will not be stepping away from journalism.

“I never want to step away from storytelling, it’s such a privilege, the trust that people give you to tell their story is a massive responsibility.”

In contrast, journalist Scotty Stevenson is staying at TVNZ to host a new show The Upside.

As a veteran in the industry, Stevenson acknowledges that people who are in the news business have a responsibility to gain trust back from listeners.

“I think it is up to everyone who works in the business to reestablish that trust with listeners, readers or viewers in terms of what we stand for - which is to tell the stories that matter and to do that in a way that is faithful to journalism as a whole.”

Both Crysell and Stevenson are not only concerned about those who lost their jobs, but they also worry about the new generation of prospective journalists.

“I am worried that younger journalists may not have the same opportunities that I have had,” says Crysell.

These experienced journalists are still hopeful that the media landscape may continue to change for the better.

“I think it’s been both a drastic change and one that’s been happening over time, but touch wood it may still change again,” Stevenson says.

Listen here: Scotty Stevenson reveals how he views the drastic change in the journalism landscape and what journalists can do to navigate it.