To preserve their work, journalists take archiving into their own hands

Journalists are increasingly taking the initiative to archive their work as many news websites shut down without preserving their content. Recent closures, such as MTV News and Deadspin, highlight the lack of prioritization for content preservation by site owners. A 2021 report indicated that only 7 out of 24 newsrooms were fully archiving their work. The loss of archives poses challenges not only for readers but also for journalists who rely on their past work for future job opportunities. Various methods are being employed, including the Wayback Machine and personal archiving services, though these can be cumbersome and costly.

Freelance reporters like Alex Azzi and Andrea Gutierrez have developed their own systems to keep track of their work, using tools like AirTable and Google Docs. Azzi, for instance, archived stories from her time at The Messenger before its closure, while Gutierrez maintains a detailed record of her audio pieces. Matthew Gault's experience at Vice illustrates the urgency of archiving; with the impending shutdown, his wife created a scraper to save his articles, demonstrating the lengths journalists will go to preserve their work.

The disparity in archiving capabilities between large legacy outlets and smaller digital-only news sites raises concerns about the future of journalism preservation. Experts emphasize the need for updated protocols to safeguard against various risks, including financial instability and technological failures.