the inside story

The above audio is an interview I conducted with Jeff Corbett, a journalist and blogger for the Newcastle Herald. In the interview I explore the effects of technology on journalism, particularly whether technology impedes or improves journalism. Below, I have included some of the research that I undertook in preparation for the interview.

Evidence of research

Subject strand:

“Technological tail-spinning,” from week six of the CMNS3420 course. See Chapter 15 of “Journalism Theory and Practice,” (Tapsall & Varley, 2001).

Purpose:

To seek an answer to my question: “Does technology improve or impede journalism?” by asking someone within the industry for their insight on the subject.
Choice of interviewee:

Jeff Corbett, journalist for the Newcastle Herald. Jeff is widely recognised throughout the Hunter due to his regular opinion pieces and reporting for the Herald. Most importantly, he works with both print and online media. He has worked for many years in the industry (and is very practiced at giving opinions), and is therefore in a very good position to comment on the effects of technology on journalism.

Date and time:

15th October, 10am, at Jeff’s office.
Angle:

It is hard to determine the angle of the interview exactly, as I can not be sure where the interviewee will take it. However for my angle I will be suggesting that online media engages more people, but questioning whether this is degrading the quality of journalism. By the end of the interview I intend for this claim to be either confirmed or denied.


To achieve this, I have the following outline planned, which I will use as a general guide only:

(introduction)


As many of our listeners would be aware, the face of journalism has been changing with the introduction of new technology. I’m talking about the internet, blogging, and online articles. But does this impede or improve journalism? Here to speak with me is Jeff Corbett, journalist and blogger for the Newcastle Herald. Jeff, thanks for being here.
(questions)


You work in both print and online media- do you have a preference?
Do you find there is much difference between the two?

How would you say the content of blogs compares to hard journalism? Would you say that the standard is the same (not the delivery, but the subjects)?

I noticed that your online blogs receives anything from 20 up to 100 or more comments from readers- sometimes within 24 hours of you posting them. Do you think that this shows that more people engage with online media? Would you say this is a good thing?

Do you think your work benefits from this interaction?

Program or publication format:

Triple J’s Hack (“shoving the J into journalism”). The show goes to air each weekday at 5:30pm. According to their website, Hack delivers the most relevant stories of the day from the unique - and often surprising - viewpoint of young Australians.

Intended audience:

The young Australians who commonly comprise Hack’s audience, who are interested in the effect new media has on quality journalism.
Outline of the process:

1. Find a story.

2. Conduct preliminary research.

3. Contact interviewee, request and arrange interview.

4. Conduct in-depth research including preparation of questions.

5. Book and retrieve Marantz recorder.

6. Conduct interview.

7. Return Marantz recorder.

8. Submit assignment.

Background research

Bibliography:

Brand, J., & Roald, Severin. (2000), “Information and Communication Technologies”, in Johnston & Zawawi (eds), Public Relations Theory and Practice, 2nd edn, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW.

Conley, D., & Lamble, S, (2006), “Online news: journalism’s strands converge,” The Daily Miracle, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Stanton, R. (2007), Media Relations, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Tapsall, S., & Varley, C. (eds), (2001), “Technological Tailspinning,” Journalism Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Tapsall, S., & Varley, C. (eds), (2001), “Journalism in the global village,” Journalism Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.


Earley, D., (2009) “501 Australian Journalists and News Media People on Twitter”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:08pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/07/04/501-australian-journalists-and-news-media-people-on-twitter/
Earley, D., (2009) “Decline? Yes. Fall? Maybe not”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:10pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/10/16/decline-and-fall/

Earley, D., (2009) “Value archived news”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:20pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/09/04/value-archived-news/

Earley, D., (2009) “The pear analytics twitter ‘babble’”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:30pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/08/18/the-pear-analytics-twitter-babble/

Triple J, (2010), Hack, retrieved 12/10/10 2:33pm, at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/

Triple J, (2010), “Is the internet re-wiring our brains?”, Hack, retrieved 12/10/10 2:35pm, at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/stories/s3027019.htm

Blogging- is it really news?

"Journalism's editorial priorities have changed. Entertainment has superseded the provision of information; human interest has supplanted the public interest; measured judgement has succumbed to sensationalism; the trivial has triumphed over the weighty... Traditional news values have been undermined by new values: infotainment is rampant." -British media anlyser Franklin (Tapsall & Varley 2001, "Journalism Theory in Practice", pg 74).

One of the main forms of new news media is blogging. But is it legitimately news? In an upcoming interview, I will be asking a prominent news and opinion piece writer for the Newcastle Herald, whether he considers hard journalism or blog entries as more important for his readers. Tact is recommended.

Consider the content of his blogs:
http://www.theherald.com.au/blogs/jeff-corbett/

Compared with hit-and-runs, locals' participation in the Commonwealth Games, and Maitland's $2 million bridge construction that has been put on hold, the topic of blogs seems somewhat trivial (fro example about TV commercials, roosters and the pain of automated telephone responses). The number of comments on each blog (from 20 to over100!), suggest that the public are indeed interested in these topics. But does that make them worthy of public interest? I'm not convinced.

The other side of the coin- entertainment in journalism

"Most consumers of the media feel ill these days, like children given the run of a milk bar. Dazzled by all the lines of brightly packaged confectionary, they have eaten and eaten but, instead of feeling better informed or enterained, their stomachs are groaning and their mouths taste strangely sour."
-Matthew Ricketson (2001 pg 149), Chapter 10 of 'Journalism: Theory in practice'.

Throughout my communications degree I have heard again and again how the new 'infotainment' trend in journalism is degrading our news content and society. For the most part I agree with this assertion, however as a journalist I must consider the pros as well as the cons in order to practice objectivity.

Suite101.com provides the article: "The importance of entertainment journalism." It outlines the positive aspects of entertainment factors in the media, particularly in relation to the film industry. According to Chassity Beals, entertainment journalists offer themselves as alternatives to film critics. This is a good thing because journalists go beyond their own opinion and offer insight into the movie-making history and world. I found the section: "The Good, Bad and the Ugly Side of Movie Critiquing" particularly interesting. It says:

"Aside from the controversy of whether a critic is necessary, becoming a film critic is an incredibly difficult thing to do. Anyone can write film reviews and critique films in a blog, but in journalism there are only about 2,000 openings per year in the United States. The number is far less for a film critic. While you do not have to have a degree to be a film critic, you do need to possess a wide knowledge base, understand the film industry and filmmaking process and have a passion for watching films. Every movie cannot be a Star Wars epic or a blockbuster. To review films effectively you must "take the bad and the ugly with the good," says Robert Newton."

In this light, entertainment journalism is both necessary and beneficial.
Read more at Suite101: The Importance of Entertainment Journalism http://www.suite101.com/content/the-importance-of-entertainment-journalism-a234355#ixzz11kDtW33C

privacy invasion- how often is it actually necessary?

Chapter 12 of "Journalism: Theory and Practice", outlines the ethical dilemmas in journalism relating to privacy and public interest.

A a list is provided (on page 191) of the justifications that journalists use for the invasion of people's privacy. These include:

• By entering public life, individuals surrender any claim to personal privacy: accordingly, they are 'fair game' for enquiring  journalists;
• Journalists have a duty to report private situations when these details could have relevance to the public performance of an individual or group;
• Individual journalists are simply conduits for information, and it is up to the readers/listeners/viewers to decide the limits;
• If it is not illegal, it must be permissible.

However, I noticed a very relevant point in the conclusion of the same chapter. It notes: "It is difficult to see how many of the media's intrusions into individual privacy are to the benefit of us at all."

Personally, the only cases that I believe require the invasion of personal privacy is in relations to matters of public safety, politics, and as part of the 'watchdog' function. Matters that are based upon gossip or scandal are not acceptable.




sources:

Tapsall, S & Varley, C., 2001, "Journalism: Theory and Practice" Journalism Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

recommended reading:

http://www.theherald.com.au/blogs/national-comment/journalists-jealousy-behind-a-blogger-unmasked/1960165.aspx

This Herald article is all about the issue of when it's okay to invade a politician's private life. It was published earlier this year following the revelation of David Campbell's visit to a gay nightclub, a personal choice that has little relevance to his professional life.

Walking The Line

This week while reading Chapter 13 of "Journalism; Theory in Practice", I started thinking about the thin line between journalism and the law, and how careful journalists must be so they do not overstep the mark.

One of the biggest problems a journalist can face with the law in today's society is defamation. In recent years there has been an increasing change in the way news is reported. The traditional objective 'hard news' is gradually being replaced by the 'infotainment' approach to newsmaking. Granted, this is not only the result of a series of decisions made by editors- it is also increasingly the preference of the news consumers.

However, the risk this gossip-styled news takes is unlawfully defaming someone by reporting a harmful opinion, rumour or scandal. There has been an increased numbers of defamation cases as journalists try to entertain the reader with hyped up articles, exaggerating and in some unethical cases changing or ignoring the real facts of the story.

As mentioned, the nature of journalism is changing with the ‘infotainment’ trend, as well as due to what Bivins calls: ‘commercial bias,’ and he explains that: “Increasingly, the business of news is making money” (2009, pg 232). Investigative journalist Phil Dickie says “News, to an unhealthy extent, has become a commodity sold to journalists, with a wholly familiar emphasis on packaging and marketing providing cover for what is often a distinct lack of content.” (Johnston and Zawawi 2000, pg 32). Newspapers now have whole sections dedicated to letting their reporters (most commonly sport, fashion or entertainment) rant and rave in opinion pieces about the personal lives of their favourite football player, actor or high profile figure. It is this 'personalisation' of news that can become quite dangerous for the reporter as they struggle to find the balance between gossip and truth.

Recently I was shown a coloum by a friend (an avid soccer follower) in which Robbie Slater, a journalist and former soccer player, openly bad mouthed current Socceroo Harry Kewell.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/soccer/the-robbie-slater-column-which-started-the-row-with-harry-kewell/story-e6frg26u-1225906815925

In this column, Slater claims that a player (who remain anonymous) had sworn at Kewell and told him "he was of no value to the Socceroos any more." Kewell felt defamed by the article, denying that the incident took place, and challenging Slater to reveal his source.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJXrGJtJnsI

This is just one example of where a journalist (possibly biased from his own soccer history) defamed someone, which was largely enabled by the opinion-piece style of the article. I believe this case exemplifies how the demand for entertainment from journalists makes the legalities of reporting an even more slippery slope. 

References:

Johnston, Jane. & Zawawi, Clara., 2000, Public Relations Theory and Practice, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, NSW.


Bivins, Tom., 2009, “Ethics in News Journalism,” Mixed Media:Moral Distinctions in Advertising, Public Relations, and Journalism, Routledge.

Journalism and PR: friends of foes?

I have recently been considering the implications that PR practie has on the journalism/ news industry. These are my thoughts:


Since gaining prominence in the 50s (Kirby, 2009), PR has grown considerably, which a number of sources attribute to the fact that PR strategies are now being implemented by small groups and businesses, and not only by leading authorities like government departments. Unfortunately, while PR has been flourishing, journalism has been declining. The nature of journalism has changed since the introduction of new media, which has obliged journalists to learn new skills and practices to accommodate for new formats. Another change in news is due to audience’s increasing interest in entertainment as opposed to hard news. One effect is addressed by Nick Cohen (1998), who says “the number of national newspaper journalists has remained the same since the 1960s, but the size of newspapers has doubled; the same number of people are doing twice the work. News is the chief victim” (Dinan and Miller, 2008, pg 252).

When you consider the combined result of these trends, it’s easy to see that the next big influence over the changing nature of journalism is the increasing presence of PR.

I found a youtube clip of a US PR practitioner who gives a diplomatic view of the two professions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJkX4Z6edT0 (4min 50 sec)



The PR practitioner in the clip says “we [PR practitioners] provide news, truth and information, and the journalists provide analysis, coverage, and fair reporting. And that’s how we look at it as a joint relationship. We call that the information subsidy, and we’re both partners in making that happen.” However, he then adds “It’s not always a smooth partnership.” This refers to the fact that PR practitioners and journalists have an uneasy relationship. This is largely a result of PR piracy.

What is PR refers to when news content is obtained or (more often) pitched by a PR source via PR strategy. The most common tactic used is the media release, however other ways include press conferences, campaigns or simply building rapport with journalist contacts.

Several factors allow PR Piracy to happen. For example, PR has a number of advantages such as the growing number of PR firms and practitioners, more resources, and the development of PR theory and practices. These factors contribute to the greater saturation of PR material being pitched to news journalists, and the skill with which this is done. In contrast, journalism is under increasing pressure. As I’ve mentioned, new media, media conglomeration, and expanding job descriptions are all factors that disadvantage journalism. Davis asserts “As news organisations have been forced to make cuts while simultaneously increasing output, so their dependency on PR has grown” (Davis, 2003).

The two sides of the debate

FOR:

Julia Hobsbawn says: “The role of PR is to provide information, to ‘tell the truth persuasively,’ and to allow journalism the right to interpret, for good or bad… PR has nothing to hide. We send out press releases and give briefings openly... With the exception of the mutually beneficial ‘off the record’ quote, PR is transparent. But journalists’ egos often make them demur when admitting the involvement of public relations.” (Dinan and Miller, 2008, pg 253)

AGAINST:

Christina Odone says: “PR meets journalism in Caribbean freebies, shameless back-scratching and undeclared interests. A link to a PR firm should spell professional suicide for a journalist, rather than a place on a highfalutin advisory board. Journalists should meet PR in a spirit of hostility- treating the information passed on as suspect, scrutinizing possible motives and investigating possible links.” – (2006) (Dinan and Miller, 2008, pg 253)


Davis says “The only thing that can be definitively concluded is that public relations and news production are highly dependent on each other.” (Davis 2003, pg 31). However I think Bivins’ conclusion is more appropriate, that: “Subjectivity always creeps into the choices made by reporters and editors on what to include or what to emphasize in a story. News people are all too human, and sometimes they are not even aware of their biases. But on the whole, the mainstream press does try, with imperfect results, to be fair.” (Bivins, 2009, pg 229).

Bibliography

Conley, David. & Lamble, Stephen., 2005, The Daily Miracle, third edn, Oxford University Press, Victoria.

Davis, Aeron., 2003 “Public Relations and News Sources”, Public Relations and Power, (ed) Cottle, Simon., SAGE Ltd, ISB: 9780857022776

Dinan, William. & Miller, David., 2008, “Journalsim, Public Relations, and Spin,” (eds) Wahl-Jorgensen, Karin,. & Hanitzsch, Thomas., Handbook of Journalism Studies, Routledge.

Kirby. B. (2009) Overview of Contemporary Public Relations Theory. In B. Sheehan & R. Xavier (eds) Public Relations Campaigns. Oxford: South Melbourne. 31-52.

Technological Tailspinning

Chapter 15 of "Journalism: Theory and Practice" discusses new media in journalism and how it has affected journalism both historically and in the present day.

A supplementary source on the history of journalism and the impact of new media can be found at http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/11/10/new_media_journalism_how_professional.htm
One of it's first points about new media relates to the 'citizen journalism' that has arisen from it, and the credibility and objectivity issues that have arison out of that in turn. In relation to this, the source makes this point:

'The barbarians have entered the gates. Is the empire on the verge of collapse? Nowadays, the word "amateur" is being deployed by media professionals to belittle the media-making efforts of bloggers and others who create media productions outside the journalism guilds. Such reporting is deemed "unreliable", "biased", "subjective"; they are "unaccountable", the facts and the sources "unverifiable".

All of this must be puzzling to historians of the modern mass media. Consider the first newspaper in English, a translation of a Dutch coranto, printed in Amsterdam in December 1620 and exported to England. It began with an apology, a typographical error, a number of lies and disinformation. The apology appeared in the first line of the publication: "The new tydings out of Italie are not yet com"... Verily, a very unprofessional beginning!'

This would suggest that the author supports new media and the citizen journalism it enables.

However, a contradictory argument is also provided: "There's a big misconception among professional journalists that the new media is about news. Wrong. It's about self-expression, it's about participating in defining and shaping the information/communication environments in which we live. The various forms of digital media - blogging, podcasting, social bookmarking and networking, etc. - are merely the means and the channels for achieving this."  Therefore, although new media enables citizen journalism which has the potentional to be just as successful and beneficial as traditional mediums, that does not mean that that is what these mediums are being used for. Food for thought.