Churnalism

It may be cynical and a little bit dark but unfortunately Nick Davies is telling the truth. News rooms get press releases and journalists on the daily grind simply churn it out for the next deadline. Sad but true.

The interview he did with Kerry O'Brien on the 7.30 report late last month highlights the difficulties facing the media industry the world over. Commercial interests mean increase profits for big business, which then leads to editorial job cuts, which then means more work to be done by less people. Bottom line - more pressure on individuals and less quality.

What made it even more poignant was the fact Fairfax had just announced massive job cuts (see previous post). Funny in a way but bloody scary for the Australian media industry.

Davies talks a lot about the print media but O'Brien asks him about the future of television and radio as well. The outlook is similarly concerning: "(It's) In the same kind of mess that the print media are in. There's no difference, I'm afraid, because news is expensive and unless we find a new financial model we won't be able to deliver it and I don't quite see where that new financial model is coming from and I don't know any media proprietor who can see it either. They're all very worried."

To read more of the interview or to see it online visit http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2348362.htm.

Furthermore, Davies has a new book out called Flat Earth News, which deals with various journalistic scandals across the globe.