• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

DEAR READER: A RESOLUTION AND A THANK YOU FOR THE NEW YEAR

Written by CHRIS FARAONE Posted January 1, 2020 Filed Under: COLUMNS, Dear Reader

 

Dear Reader,

 

When you’re an investigative journalist, editor, careerist of that sort, a lot of your relationships start off with one or both of the people thinking the other one is a federal agent of some sort. Or perhaps a spy for the mob or a police department—you never know! It’s a sad reality for those of us in underpaid gigs that nevertheless, at least on rare occasions, place us in harm’s way, whether via exposure to asbestos or some kind of government scandal. As a result, a lot of the time when somebody writes me a complimentary email or DM, I am far more suspicious of their motives than I am appreciative of the sentiment.

 

We are a leathery bunch, us hacks, especially more sentimental suckers like your boy, who have been chasing ideals set by brilliant but moronic alcoholic alpha geeks like Hunter S. Thompson and Christopher Hitchens. I can’t speak for other writers, but for me, that whole shtick has sometimes led to pretending that I don’t give a damn about how readers feel about the work we do around here. Which of course is not the case.

 

Probably in part because macho men like me go around acting like we don’t need or want external approval, we don’t get—surprise—a whole lot of external approval. Not too many love notes, if you know what I mean. Just plenty of hatred and stupidity directed at us.

 

Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely fringe benefits—from free concert tickets, to easy access to virtually anything and anyone, to an occasional shoutout from one of the media-on-media sites that only other journalism nerds read—but all of that is easily outweighed by the anxiety and even PTSD that too often inflict certain kinds of reporters. In a 2019 study in the Newspaper Research Journal (I didn’t know there was such a thing either, but it turns out it’s been around for 40 years) titled “Journalists and mental health: The psychological toll of covering everyday trauma,” researcher Natalee Seely found: 

 

Journalists are often first responders and eyewitnesses to violent news events. Trauma reporting can take its toll, resulting in mental health effects. Addressing the solution requires understanding the problem. This multimethod study used a national survey of journalists (N = 254) that shows that as trauma coverage frequency and intensity increase, so does the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. 

 

Seely also found that “common coping mechanisms include … purging emotions, talking about trauma, and remembering their jobs’ higher purposes.” And so here I am, doing that. 

 

I also want to thank Eileen, whose real name I won’t share to avoid the risk of some unhinged ignoramus trolling her. For every 50 right-wing roaches who wreak havoc on my nerves, there is only one Eileen, who just three weeks ago sent me her latest care package. A longtime reader who also sometimes emails over affirmations, she is a positive force and benevolent booster, even if at first I suspected that she worked for a covert agency that’s hellbent on subverting badass independent publications. It turns out she’s just a kind and sharing person, and so, inspired by Eileen and a small cast of others in my life who build people up rather than tear them down, I’m making it my goal for 2020 to be more of a supporter—of friends, of musicians, artists, and makers of all kinds.

 

For starters, check out the “What’s Right With Boston?” piece in this week’s feature section. It’s uncharacteristically flowery, hopefully stopping just short of naive.

 

CHRIS FARAONE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHRIS FARAONE

A Queens, NY native who came to New England in 2004 to earn his MA in journalism at Boston University, Chris Faraone is the editor and co-publisher of DigBoston and a co-founder of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. He has published several books including 99 Nights with the 99 Percent, and has written liner notes for hip-hop gods including Cypress Hill, Pete Rock, Nas, and various members of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Related posts
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    Recognition For Religion Reporting On “Boston’s Church To Condo Pipeline”
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    Congrats To Worcester On Coming In At #69 On Best Places To Live List
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    Drunk On Drug Money, Easthampton Councilors Approve Second Tesla For Police
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    Bud’s Home: CEO Explains Dispensary’s Commitment To Exciting Retail Experience

Filed Under: COLUMNS, Dear Reader Tagged With: BINJ, Christopher Hitchens, Dear Reader, Hunter S. Thompson, Journalism, Natalle Seely, Newspaper Research Journal, psychological toll of reporting, readers, reporting

WHAT’S NEW

Inbox: "Advocates Confident In Override of Governor’s Driver’s License Veto"

Inbox: “Advocates Confident In Override of Governor’s Driver’s License Veto”

Photo of Karyna Oliinyk, courtesy of Karyna Oliinyk

Local Photographer Lives with War at a Distance

State Wire: Wraparound Services Spotlighted For Community Action Month

State Wire: Wraparound Services Spotlighted For Community Action Month

Diabetes Researcher Claims She Was Unlawfully Denied Entry To US

Diabetes Researcher Claims She Was Unlawfully Denied Entry To US

Inbox: "Reformers Vow To Press For Changes In the Massachusetts Democratic Party"

Inbox: “Reformers Vow To Press For Changes In the Massachusetts Democratic Party”

MA Lawmakers, Advocates Say Steps Needed To Tackle Ghost Guns

MA Lawmakers, Advocates Say Steps Needed To Tackle Ghost Guns

Primary Sidebar

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • Morale Violation: Whistle-Blowers Report Culture Of “Retaliation,” “Nepotism” At Parole Agency
  • We Turned the North End Restaurant Lawsuit Against Mayor Wu Into a Musical
  • Do You Want To Work For the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission?
  • Inbox: Red Bull Cliff Diving Returns To Boston Waterfront
  • Drunk On Drug Money, Easthampton Councilors Approve Second Tesla For Police

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 24.08 – 04/21/22

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]