Journalists have difficult jobs—here’s what you can do to help

That’s an overstatement, of course, but she was on to something. Reporters face more pressures than ever before, and it’s no wonder that many of them are exhausted, stressed out, unresponsive, and curt.

Here are the five reasons why reporters lead “miserable” lives—and what you can do to make their lives easier.

1. They have no time. Journalists have never faced such bruising deadlines. Newspaper reporters who once had to write one story per day now have to update the story for their paper’s website continually. Their broadcast counterparts now have to produce separate Web-only versions of their radio and television segments throughout the day and promote them via social media.

How you can help: Offer them a cash bribe. I’m kidding, of course. Instead, recognize the pressures they operate under—and do everything you can to be a helpful source.

Respond to their requests quickly. Get them the information they need well before their deadlines, and speak in media-friendly sound bites that don’t require a translator.