I was editor of my high school paper, which was published about three times per month. (It no longer exists; neither does the yearbook; however, there are a lot of courses for pregnant teenage mothers. Frankly, I miss the days when there was a stigma about unwed motherhood.)

I majored in journalism, reporting and editing emphasis, at San jose State University in the days when the student paper was a daily, five days per week. I was class of 1965. My career in newspapering lasted a total 18 years. I eventually gravitated to public relations because the money was so much better.

Sad to say, I would not encourage any kid to major in journalism these days. There are no jobs in print journalism that will support most any young couples, and the jobs in daily journalism (newspapers) are vanishing. I don’t think aspiring broadcast journalists will fare much better. Those on national TV and in major markets make very serious money. Those in small “markets” (as b’cast journalism defines itself; consider for yourselves what “market” really means for serious journalism) often make less than their young counterparts working for country weeklies.

What does this portend for the edification of the nation? That we depend on blogs of varying degrees of quality and authenticity, and for government pronouncenments — from well-paid, well-equipped government entities — for our news?

As an old news hand, I worry about the future.

Bill