🔶 #62: "News companies should rethink newsrooms instead of hiring content creators"

Hello, and welcome back to the News Alchemists newsletter!

I have a question for you today, and it has nothing to do with journalism:

How are you?

How has this 2026 been for you and your career so far?

Last week I marked the end of the first quarter (with a little delay) by asking myself that question. I feel like I transitioned from being a consultant with a newsletter to someone who is building an independent business. Thrilling, but a very bumpy ride to be honest.

I know I'm not alone. Everyone I know who is working for themselves is looking for better balance: I need more work (that's me); I have too much work; I want to travel more; I have to travel too much; I need to make more money (also me); I need a holiday; and the list goes on.

And I bet that those among us with a stable job are looking for some kind of improved balance too.

The mistake I make when the ride gets bumpy is to withdraw into my shell and try to force that balance into existence. (Ask me how that usually turns out...)

So in writing this email I just thought: You know what? I wonder how my readers are feeling; what balance they're seeking at work.

If you'd like to let me know, hit reply. Maybe we have something to learn from each other.

📚 Enjoy this week's links!

P.S.: A big, orange welcome to new subscribers from NPO, Rappler, Mediahuis, Climate Tracker, The Examination, Revista Seúl, Brasil de Fato, Université du Québec à Montréal, Spinning Forward, the Centre for Science and Environment, Etermax, and all of you brave souls working independently.

1. News companies should rethink newsrooms instead of hiring content creators 👉 LINK

A must-read by OG news alchemist 🧞Martin Schori (whose always-excellent writing I already shared in #46):