I've been a journalist for ages and have been fortunate always getting a well paid job. This is no longer a matter of course these days. Employees are expensive and at the same time underpaid, the publisher's investors want their returns every year - no matter how the business is running, the media landscape is changing ... In short: I was lucky - and probably quite a good knack for the job. In addition, I got to know pretty much all formats - print daily and weekly newspaper, magazine and also online - which helps me with option very much.
But the development in the media business is really sobering - and explains why our media are for the most part as they are: primarily profit-oriented, mostly without professional ethics and without real commitment, without real truth, mostly just entertainment and alarmism for the masses ....
At some point shortly before 2014, it was just enough for me and I decided to give up my fairly well-paid job as editor-in-chief, and to become self-employed. No question: a luxury decision.
But what makes sense from a journalistic point of view, so my idea? The answer, after a long pondering: show alternative, especially where alternatives are needed, because many things just go wrong. And when you start questioning everything, you soon realize: Actually, you need meaningful alternatives everywhere. We can not settle for the status quo halfway through the development of a modern society! Even if that was all right.
Well, in the fall 2013 the idea for option was born, the first issue of the print magazine appeared in April 2014. And damn it, it still exists today. Believe me, I did not think about 2 issues at the start.
A good decision! Nice that she has proven well. For the next 5 years and more 🙂
Congratulations, keep it up! I always like to be inspired by Option ...