The 9-to-5-ization of Journalism

Among my favorite newsroom cliches is this one: "I didn't get into this field to work a 9-to-5." Translation: The money ain't that good, so I don't want a desk job and sure as hell won't wear a tie." Nothing's changed on the latter front (though anecdotal evidence says journalists are dressing better these days ... who knows when you'll be on cable news). But with the growing popularity of blogging, reporters are becoming accustomed to a more traditional work schedule -- or maybe they're now working both days and nights.

Used to be the reporter's day really heated up (deadline standard time -- another of those cliches) only when the rest of the country was clocking out. No longer. Journalists are being asked to feed their blogs throughout the day to keep the working folk up to date. It's not uncommon for reporters to file a roundup of links before 9 a.m. The way editors see it, the news has to be there when the reader wants it most -- when they get into work and during their lunch break.

As my friend who works at ESPN.com jokes, his job performance is measured by how much productivity decreases at offices across the country. He's transitioned from a schedule where he'd most often be working from 4-11 to one where he's on from 8 till dark.

There are, of course, still the night editors, weekend anchors and all-hours producers to keep the field from getting too much in lock step. But the growth seems to be in 9-to-5 content providers (ughh, speaking of ugly phrases.)

The common complaint is that the constant updates are just extending the work day. But for those who are actually clocking out around 5, this marks a new day for journalists -- they can actually see their kids.