Bryan (Mac) Mckenzie, 63

Senior writer, Charlottesville, VA First journalism job: Sportswriter at the Ingham County News, Mason, MI (1977). I was fired because I’m just not a sportswriter. What are some of the most important lessons you have learned working in the news industry?

Never assume too much about yourself or your sources. Always question why someone is helping you. What’s in it for them? Ask yourself this question, especially if they are politicians. Don’t be a jerk. If you treat folks like human beings, you can receive much help, especially from secretaries and janitors. I believe you must create a space where you can step back from being a reporter. Early in my career, I lived, breathed and (seldom) slept the identity of a news reporter. Journalism is what I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve loved all 44 years of it. If the boss wanted me to work longer hours, then I did. If the boss wanted more stories, then I found them. I discovered within a few years that everything I was as a person was in my job. Unfortunately, my first ex-wife found that, too. The job eventually pulled us apart as we grew in very different directions. A similar situation happened with the second exwife, as well. Find something in yourself outside the office. I rediscovered my love of rock music, motorcycles and martial arts and allocated time for those activities that would have been unpaid work time. I even told the boss no on occasion. I found the boss understood. Take care of yourself. No one else will. What are your predictions for the future of news publishing?

I don’t know. I’m not sure the suits in the big office know, either. It will be a struggle. As more local outlets’ online sites are operated remotely, corporate locations and print space shrink, the local feel and appeal will die. Money will be an issue, too. Online does not pay enough to generate living wages for many news reporters, and print is too expensive to stay viable. Trying to cover more with fewer people who have to create podcasts and videos and do their own iphone photography dilutes time for research and the actual crafting of a story. In a town like mine, readers quickly notice poor writing. At some point, local news will rebound as we drop meeting coverage in exchange for passionate topics and clickable links. Locally, we already have podcasters discussing land use issues and Twitter posters covering meetings’ live feeds. Maybe an entrepreneur will bring those loose cannons together to create a new local news outlet.