Yonke: I count my blessings as I look back on my life in journalism
Sometimes you just know when the time is right. This is one of those times, as I plan to retire at the end of this year.
Making such a life-changing decision is not easy, but after careful consideration of the myriad factors involved I am confident I am making the right move at the right time.
It’s difficult because the news has been such a big part of my life. When I'm not writing or editing, I'm reading or watching about current events from here to the far side of the world. As veteran journalists often say, I’ve got ink in my veins. But we need to update that cliché, because it’s now a mix of ink and pixels.
I started writing for my elementary school newspaper, The Bulldog’s Bark, in North Babylon, New York, as soon as I learned to spell, and I’ve been writing and editing ever since. That's included working in the media in Tampa and Toledo before joining Gannett in 2015 where I have served as editor in Fremont, Port Clinton, Mansfield and Bucyrus.
As a journalist, I learned early on the words we write and the images we capture go beyond the pages of a print newspaper or an electronic screen; they spill over into the real world and affect real people.
Journalists work diligently every day to hold those in authority accountable and to help ensure justice. I have seen how articles have helped people who lacked a voice to speak out or the resources to fight for their rights.
We also strive to shine a light on worthy, often overlooked, causes, and to spread the good word about people who are making positive a impact on their communities.
Many peaks and a few valleys in his career, fighting the good fight
I count my blessings for the many memorable experiences of my career. Looking back at more than four decades in the journalism, there were many peaks and a few valleys.
I've covered talks by Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama. I interviewed President Jimmy Carter about a book he authored and I attended Barack Obama's first inauguration. I sat on tour buses with B.B. King and Hootie and the Blowfish.
Every day was different, with new challenges, opportunities, responsibilities and rewards.
And every day I have been inspired and motivated knowing my colleagues are out there fighting the good fight, informing readers about important news, helping people in need and exposing corruption and crime.
It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with so many hard-working, talented, intelligent and compassionate people in my career. I will truly miss collaborating with my colleagues on a daily basis.
As we all know, this is a tumultuous time for many industries and the news business is not exempt. But I am confident that with the support of faithful readers like you, local journalism will continue to flourish and make a difference in our daily lives.
People often ask me what I plan to do when I retire, and while I have compiled a lengthy “to-do list," including spending more time with my eight grandchildren, one thing is certain: I will remain a faithful reader and supporter of local journalism. After all, that mix of ink and pixels still flows through my veins.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Yonke: It's been an honor to 'fight the good fight' as a journalist
