The past few weeks have not been much of an upper for those tracking the health of the news business. More layoffs. New (and increasingly meager) buyouts. And the downsizing strategy that promises to grow ever more popular back at Corporate:
All staffers must reapply for their jobs.
Only the delusional suggest this is a cycle from which we will emerge. Increasingly, editors know this is their reality:
I have fewer people this year than last, and I’ll have fewer still next year.
I remember feeling like this about 15 years ago when my newsroom in Philadelphia was in the midst of its latest “right-sizing.” Looking for a way to recharge my batteries, I asked 12 of my colleagues to join me for lunch and bring stories that reminded them why they did journalism. It was great. We laughed, we cried, and we left the room a bit more aware that what we did mattered.
The same thing happened to me this week. I read a story about Cleet McGhee.
Cleet’s story is the work of Dion Lefler, who covers government and politics for the Wichita Eagle. He sent me the story after I asked reporters to send me work that demonstrates a story done in a day can be memorable.
I will remember Cleet’s story. It reminds me that journalism can make good things happen.
Take a read: “Woman, man steal Lincoln Town Car that is dialysis patient’s lifeline.”
Lefler explained he was tipped to the story by Cleet’s former boss, a local Tea Party activist whom Lefler has known for years. He interviewed Cleet at his motel, photographed him and saw the security video that recorded the car theft. He also talked with police before writing the story. Done in a day.
Then good things started happening.
“The next day,” Lefler said, “I had about 12-15 messages from folks offering to drive him to his appointments. Cleet told me a woman came to his room, gave him $40 in grocery certificates, $20 cash, hugged him and left without even telling him her name.”
And there’s more. Here is Lefler’s first follow-up story: “Dialysis patient gets a lift after thieves steal his beloved Lincoln Town Car.”
I keep thinking about the moment Cleet hears that someone is giving him a car. Put yourself there:
“You’re kidding, me, man.”
But after being assured the offer was real, he said: “It will get me to my dialysis. God bless you.”
But the story doesn’t end there. Here’s Lefler’s second follow-up story: “Dialysis patient presented with replacement car from radio station, car dealership.”
Cleet’s words bear repeating:
“Somebody’s doing something for me and I’m doing something for somebody else and what goes around comes around.”
Journalists covered a lot of important stories this week. The bombing attacks on ISIS. The domestic violence crisis in sports. The spread of Ebola.
But back in June, Dion Lefler covered an important story, too: the theft of Cleet McGhee’s car.
That, I am again reminded, is why journalism matters. That’s why, when they’re reviewing the applications of all those journalists who are reapplying for their jobs, I wish Cleet McGhee had a vote.
Nice work, Dion Lefler. Thanks.
