Friday, July 24, 2009

The News

As I walked back to my hotel in DC Tuesday, I saw a proud series of messages through the first floor windows of a plain brown building on my left. They were about news, and the freedom of the press, and the responsibility of and public trust in the media. It was the headquarters of the Washington Post. And as I was passing the entrance, I encountered a line of well dressed people, most of them carrying professional binders, some looking through them to make sure they had their resume and other materials in order. They were there for job openings.

And I wondered, sadly, how many of them had been employed by the Post until recently, when shrinking newspaper budgets caused their jobs to be cut, possibly after years with the paper. And I realized, as I photographed the scene, and many of these people noticed me doing so, that I was doing a little journalism of my own, seeing them and their story as newsworthy, due some attention, some thought.

1 comment:

L'Adelaide said...

I see by looking at the crowd, that if that's why some are there, because they have lost their jobs,and are seeking employment--perhaps desperately -- would inspire the journalist in you...I have enjoyed the freedom of NOT being employed by someone else for many years and I count those blessings --well, I try anyway...

a meaningful post and one I perhaps needed to be reminded of...