This nine-year-old is probably a better grown up than you
Hilde Lysiak (aged nine) has launched her own newspaper. So why is everybody so angry about it?
Hilde Lysiak (aged nine) has launched her own newspaper. So why is everybody so angry about it?
If you've ever sat down in a job interview and been faced with a slightly older man or woman who picks up your CV and remarks, 'but you just look so young' (before shoo-ing you out the door) - or if you've ever been three years into a job before being mistaken for an intern by the visiting CEO - then you'll know what it feels like to have your career undermined on the basis of your birthdate.
And it sucks.
Which is why nine-year-old reporter, Hilde Lysiak, is our new favourite person.
After setting up the Orange Street News last year, Hilde has been been doggedly developing her reporting skills for a few months now. With her 12-year-old sister on standby for photo editing and video support, she's been covering local news events - and developing an increasingly loyal following in her community as a result.
In fact, all was going well - until last week, when she reported on a murder before any of the other newspapers in the area.
After receiving a tip-off from an unnamed source, Hilde headed to the crime scene, where she interviewed police and neighbours, before writing a piece entitled 'Exclusive! murder on Ninth Street!'.
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But as soon as the piece went live, she began being trolled. Her YouTube page began filling up with critical remarks telling her to go back to playing with dolls, and berating her parents for allowing her to report in the first place.
And now Hilde is fighting back. In a new video she released on her site at the weekend, she explains that she's just as competent as anyone twice her age.
'It kind of gets me angry because, just because I’m nine doesn’t mean I can’t do a great story. It doesn’t mean I can’t be a reporter,' she says. 'I know this makes some of you uncomfortable, and I know some of you just want me to sit down and be quiet because I’m nine. But if you want me to stop covering news, then you get off your computer and do something about the news. There, is that cute enough for you?'
'Because of my work, I was able to inform the people there was a terrible murder before my competitors got to the scene.'
In the video, she also read out some of the meanest comments that she'd received online, giggling whenever she got to a swear word.
'I am disgusted that this cute little girl thinks she is a real journalist. What happened to tea parties?' Nine-year-old girls should be playing with dolls, not trying to be reporters.'
'You are nine fucking years old. Seriously, what the fuck is going on?'
We're not sure about you, but we'd employ her Hilde any day.
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