The 'Ladder of Experience' is Collapsing [Media Outlook]

Regional newspapers in South Korea are grappling with a significant crisis as experienced journalists depart, leaving newsrooms with a "hollowed-out middle." At Jeonnam Ilbo, the editor-in-chief position has been vacant for two months, following the resignations of the news director in May and several other reporters in June. The remaining staff, numbering around ten, struggle to produce a daily 20-page newspaper, with over half being junior reporters with less than three years of experience. This exodus has depleted the core of the editorial department.

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The middle of the editorial department has disappeared.

Mid-career journalists are crucial as they bridge the gap between field reporting and editorial judgment. They possess institutional memory, understand local dynamics beyond press releases, and know whom to contact to uncover the truth. This expertise, honed through on-the-job learning and mentorship, is not easily codified. When these journalists leave, the organization loses its collective memory, its ability to discern risks, and the established chain of knowledge transfer to younger colleagues.

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They felt they were being consumed rather than growing.

This trend is not new. A 2021 survey of former journalists with less than ten years of experience cited low salaries, long working hours, and the pressure of article quotas and clickbait-driven headlines as reasons for leaving. Many felt they were being consumed rather than growing professionally. While larger media outlets may offer better compensation and career paths, smaller regional papers lack even these limited defenses, making it difficult to retain staff. The situation is further complicated by the increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), which is beginning to automate tasks traditionally performed by entry-level journalists, such as drafting initial reports, summarizing information, and conducting research.

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The 'ladder of forming skills' is collapsing.

The article warns that if news organizations view AI solely as a tool for cost reduction, it could lead to a "hourglass" structure in newsrooms, with experienced editors at the top and inexperienced reporters at the bottom. This scenario raises concerns about who will verify AI-generated content and mentor junior journalists in nuanced reporting. The Jeonnam Ilbo situation serves as a microcosm of a broader issue: the loss of experienced personnel leads to a loss of expertise, ultimately resulting in a deficit in journalism itself. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to restore the "ladder of growth" for journalists, investing in training, professional development, and support for long-term careers, especially in regional media, to ensure the future of journalism.

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The vacuum of people is the vacuum of skills, and this leads to the vacuum of journalism.