Reflections: 40 years in journalism

Forty years can go by in a moment’s notice, but reflection offers an opportunity to enjoy the journey.

My heart has been in journalism since mid-June 1985—an acquired taste as a result of the mid 1980s farm crisis that meant I needed to switch gears and polish my writing skills. I was fortunate to have a couple of professors from Kansas State University, most notably Bill Brown, who thought enough of my skills to encourage me to go into community journalism where I could use my agricultural expertise. Every stop along the way proved to me his advice was right.

I started first at the Norton Daily Telegram, owned by Dick Boyd, and I’m forever indebted to him because he took a chance on me and taught me the importance of being involved in the community. I then headed to Winfield Daily Courier, and that publication continues to be owned by the Seaton family. During those 2 1/2 years Publisher Dave Seaton and his journalist team honed my writing, photography and design skills. My next stop was in Abilene as publisher Vivien Sadowski who saw in me executive potential and hired me to be managing editor in 1989.

Many years were spent at the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle and eventually when Sadowski retired I was appointed editor-publisher and served in the capacity until December 2012. My next step continued in April 2013 when High Plains Journal editor Holly Martin and publisher Tom Taylor hired me to be managing editor. Later I was appointed editor by Nelson Spencer Jr. in October 2019.

Relationships cemented

Over the years I worked with, and continue to work with, many colleagues who became friends and I am thankful for those relationships. A career in journalism is not for the faint of heart and anyone who enters the profession for any length of time knows it is a roller-coaster ride. There are many fun and poignant stories. There are also difficult stories to write.

When one is a journalist, he or she has to take notes on happenings—good and bad— and go the extra mile to ensure facts are accurate and put them in the right context. That’s what I was taught in journalism school. My contemporaries and new graduates, thankfully say the same.

The industry itself has many more challenges today, some self-inflected while others are the result of the change of the economic landscape. The latter is true in rural America where consolidation of businesses have meant a contraction in services and advertising budgets, which puts pressure on newspaper owners to be both innovators and cost-conscious. Unless a community is growing—both in its business and population sectors—costs are front and center.

Cornerstones

I’ve been blessed in that in all the newspaper operations I have worked in over four decades they remain cornerstones in their communities. At High Plains Journal, we primarily reach 12 states, but the principles of good content delivered to our farmer and rancher base is our bread-and-butter. I’m thankful the owners and fellow executives understand that mission.

I am saddened when communities watch their local media cease or morph into something that is only a shadow of what it once was. Readers in every state in the High Plains region unfortunately have those stories to tell. Too often they are forced to turn to social media for news, which is buyer beware content at best.

Twenty years ago when I was thinking about a column for the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, I remembered that while I had the opportunity to meet and cover famous people my greatest satisfaction was in telling the story of regular citizens who had accomplished something meaningful or extraordinary that may have benefitted the community or simply made them better human beings. I chose to be bullish and optimistic about my career and the community I served. That mindset remains with me.

While I am not a farmer or rancher, I greatly admire his or her unbridled optimism in uncertain times. Uncertain times are just another challenge in this gauntlet of life.

I can say from my own experience as a survivor of the farm crisis of the 1980s, Persian Gulf War of the early 1990s, terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the ensuing Global War on Terror, the Great Recession, COVID-19, and now today the impact of the tariff wars that challenges are endless.

Rural challenges

Our nation finds a way to survive. When local challenges transcend the national news, it was the rural communities that called upon gifted leaders to guide them through difficult times. In the High Plains region those challenges dealt with drought, floods, blizzards, tornadoes, school closures or realignments, and major manufacturers or businesses that close operations. Journalists, like me, were there to chronicle the stories and offer perspective. That’s a role I never take lightly, and many other journalists feel the same.

I have no plans to retire anytime soon. After all, there are many more stories yet to share whether as a writer or assisting as an editor. If I can make a difference in the lives of readers and the industry I serve, that’s a timeless treasure that’s worth my investment of time.

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].