Journalists Need to Make Money Too

            I am a college student who plans to one day be able to have an adequate living with a family, and that, of course, requires a job.  As someone who wants that to be related to journalism, I am highly invested in aspiring to see journalism succeed in the future.  That’s why when someone like Jeff Jarvis tweets “Every time a rich person gives to a news nonprofit, a journalism startup loses its wings”, I find myself being against nonprofit news.  I can understand why people were unhappy with Jarvis’s tweet and their desire to see nonprofit organizations succeed, but the fact is people need to make money somewhere.  And for those people who have a talent that coincides to journalism, it is their right as an American to be able to make money in it.  I often find myself get frustrated when I hear someone talk about how the money for journalists isn’t as high as it used to be, because undoubtedly the need for good journalism in today’s society is imperative.  Where would we be as a culture without someone to so called “clear the air” on a rumor or story? Throughout the article, Jarvis insists that philanthropy, and the ability of being innovative is crucial in the future of journalism and news as a whole. 

            While I don’t always agree with Jarvis’s claims, I believe his point about philanthropy needing to be an active piece of journalism is a very valid idea.  Jarvis writes, “I also hear journalists say that they don’t want to concern themselves with the business of journalism. Clearly, I disagree”.  As people who intend to be future journalists, we need to find a way to make a “business” out of what we do.