From his personal Podium of Truth at OneNews, Jack Tame writes, "I share the view of many others that any net reduction in the total number of journalists is damaging for democracy. Regardless of the medium, it means fewer people questioning power". Who does Tame think he is? An Opinion Leader? A Thought Leader? Didn't he read the AUT Media Trust report published last week? It said, "Those who say they don’t trust and/or avoid the news are most concerned about .. what they perceive as political bias and opinion masquerading as news". What is TVNZ's reaction to Newshub's demise? To run as its lead story Tame's "Analysis" of the situation, which is not analysis at all, but instead his view, his own opinion, which is probably biased anyhow since he may have an interest in defending his industry mates. Hang on - isn't that exactly why people are switching off the news, according to the Media Trust survey? It has long been known that a greater number of journos doesn't mean more questioning of those in power & doesn't strengthen democracy if those journos are under the thumb of the folks in power. That has been happening around the globe since the start of time and it is happening in many countries right now. So Tame's argument is wrong.
Quality journalism that reports a diversity of views but, most importantly, in the age of Web, allows readers & viewers to connect, respond and trade with one another is booming. On the other hand, having biased views of Main Stream Media journos shoved down our throats is a turnoff. Next time an NZ news outlet thinks its fun to give a platform for folks leading up to an Election to call ACT's Leader "financially illiterate" (untrue) and National's budget "bullshit" (a false allegation) then maybe its journos should ask themselves if people will just switch off. On how the media can make as much money as ever in the age of the internet, take a look at my old acquaintance, Bharat Anand's, Podcast. I'm sure you will enjoy it, not that any journos in our media industry have probably bothered to watch. They're too busy analyzing themselves and their own factual opinions.
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