Better place Quote by Susan Schoenberger
““Remember when we were idealistic young journalists who thought we could make the world a better place? We wanted to chase out corrupt politicians and uncover fraud and investigate murders. It turns out we were just filling space around the ads, and nobody really cared that much about what we wrote.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Reflections on Journalism, 2020
The quote laments the loss of youthful idealism in journalism, noting a shift from crusading to filler content.
In simple terms: Idealistic journalism became routine and commercialized.
Recognize and revive purpose in your work.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- investigative reporting
- career planning
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists balance truth‑seeking with commercial pressures?
- What steps can revive idealism in media?
The quote may overgeneralize; not all journalists are disengaged.