[iamdave]

Why would anyone of above average ability become a journalist anymore? You have better, long term salary prospects as a public school teacher.

If you're looking for a genuine and authentic answer: I took up a part-time job writing local columns for high school athletics that turned into a few contributions for Sports Illustrated.

Why?

Because I genuinely love sports reporting and writing. I'm addicted to stats, I love the competition, I will enthusiastically argue for hours about 90's era baseball. I was and remain fully aware it might not be immediately or even eventually profitable, I have no long-term salary prospects, just a middle-of-the-road IT support job (that comparatively for the industry, doesn't pay that great). Combining the two 'jobs' I make enough to live what I consider, for my ends and motivations, a comfortable life doing something I really enjoy doing along with something that supplements everything else.

Journalism in the west is close to dead

I couldn't disagree more. It's not dead, it's evolving-and probably the most directly felt evolution is the delivery mechanisms.

If one wants to talk about objectivity it helps to look at the concept itself a bit more objectively.