Loneliness is a major fear among many groups of people, regardless of age or location. Moving away from home, ending up in an unwelcoming school or workplace, and losing loved ones are some of the hardest experiences people go through, and yet many spend little time thinking about how to connect more with those around them. Journalist Morgan Hardy, however, centers her whole career around connection.
Hardy has worked on a diverse set of projects within the field of journalism, from broadcast script writing to photography to documentaries.
“The first thing that drew me to journalism was communication. And for me communication is learning about other people, and their cultures, and just them as a whole,” said Hardy, who minored in Sociology at UGA. “Sociology kind of opened the door for that and helped me learn more of the intricate details of that and helped me learn how different people communicate socially.”
She brings this perspective into her work in the field, valuing an understanding between her and the interviewee as one of the most powerful tools for a successful story. As part of an emotionally charged documentary Hardy co-directed on the Apalachee High School shooting, she interviewed a Sheriff she didn’t have much built-in common ground with. “Pre-interview we were kinda just like ‘Oh, hey, what’d you do today? How was your day?’ Like, just like making them feel comfortable.”
Looking forward, Hardy sees the connection between journalists and news consumers as the next step in the evolution of journalism. “I love how people my age are really starting to try to change the format, ‘cause we’re not just talking heads, we’re people…I just love to hear different voices within journalism… not just the voices that [journalists are] reporting on, but the reporter’s voices as well.”
With the aftermath of CoViD, the rise of social media, and AI causing all-time high levels of loneliness, Hardy’ vision for the future of journalism–centering a more personal field and product–is one we need more than ever.
When it comes to Hardy’s vision for her own future, it looks like her passion for journalism won’t be going anywhere. “So far, so good. I’ve been surprised by the doors that [journalism] can unlock and what I’ve learned,” she reflects. “I’m so glad I did this.”
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