Let’s start with what we are not: we’re not journalists or reporters. We don’t have press badges or journalism degrees. We’re content creators and bloggers. That’s it. But we care about the truth, what’s happening in our town, and getting it right.
At Eyes on EB, we strive to keep it real. We don’t post to stir the pot. We double-check what we hear, follow up when necessary, and only publish what we can stand behind. However, I do get it wrong from time to time.
Recently, I’ve been thinking a great deal about the future of local news. Sites like TapInto and The Patch don’t feel the same as they used to. A lot of their content reads like press releases. The writing feels flat, and the individuals behind it often lack the necessary training as reporters. This isn’t a criticism of anyone; it’s just an observation of the current trends.
The truth is that independent bloggers and podcasters have been filling the gaps for years. This phenomenon started at the national level and is now increasingly prevalent locally. People want honest, relatable coverage. They prefer to hear from those who live in their communities, not just from corporate-run outlets attempting to play it safe.
Not everything has to be breaking news. Some of the most popular posts are quirky, unusual, or just plain fun -and we enjoy that content too. If people in East Brunswick are talking about it, there’s a good chance it’s worth posting.
To be clear, I respect real journalists. There’s a craft to what they do, but the reality is that it’s becoming harder to find. Even at the national level, journalism and reporting no longer feel authentic; it often feels like spin. Protecting a narrative has replaced asking tough questions, making the old-school journalist and reporting a rare breed. Blogs like Eyes on EB are the result of poor corporate-backed journalism and reporting. With that being aid, we do NEED them, desperately. If local journalists were doing their job correctly, residents would not support Eyes on EB. As a result, when this happens and technology improves, people like me can explore a space that we couldn’t access before.
I’ve seen this happen in other industries as well. When I was a portrait photographer, digital cameras started to replace film. Some photographers insisted that film was the only genuine way to shoot. While I respected their passion, I also recognized the potential of digital photography. As a result, we now have many more amazing photographers who may not have pursued photography otherwise. However, this also means there are some poor photographers, as the barrier to learning the craft is not as high as it once was. I understand this dilemma well—every industry faces similar challenges. You either adapt or fall behind. As Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “Adjust or fail.”
The same applies here. I wrote this post, but utilized AI to help shape its structure. I then ran it through Grammarly to catch any rough spots, and I revisited it to ensure it still sounded like my own writing. My whole life I’ve been able to come up with good ideas, but organizing them was always a challenge for me, technology has helped me with that. I use the tools available. What matters is the content and whether people trust you. If local journalists and reporters were doing their job correctly, residents would not support Eyes on EB.
We don’t pretend to be something we’re not. We’re not here to replace journalism; we’re just trying to bring people the stories and conversations that matter in our town.
We’ll continue to cover serious topics when necessary, and we’ll have fun with it when the moment calls for it. That balance is what makes Eyes on EB work. As long as people care about what’s happening in their community, we’ll continue to do what we do.
