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media notes 09.30.13

9/30/2013

For Monday, September 30, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

Margaret Sullivan, the public editor of The New York Times, examines the organization's efforts to diversify its revenues through such measures as conferences, cruises, video and experiments in advertising. She doesn't find particular fault in any of the efforts, but she does find challenges in accomplishing their goals without compromising the integrity of the operation. To that end, she simply says it's "imperative" that the Times not tarnish itself as it seeks new streams of support.

David Carr, in his latest Media Equation column for The New York Times, takes a decisively optimistic view of a proposed media shield law and new U.S. Justice Department guidelines on how it treats news organizations and journalists through investigations. Carr reports on the journalistic divide about the measures, but believes that perfection is the enemy of the good. He supports anything that puts speed bumps in the way of officials roaming around news organizations.

One of The Economist's main digital strategists says his organization is moving past the "lean forward, lean back" model of production that employs a dual focus on web and print. Instead, says Neelay Patel, it is time to think about a "touch first, mobile second" strategy that focuses on tablets and smartphones.

media notes 09.28-29.13

9/28/2013

For the Saturday-Sunday weekend of September 28-29, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

Seymour Hersh, the investigative journalist, says 90 per cent of editors should be fired, that organizations like NBC and ABC should be closed, and that journalists should be returned to their roles as outsiders. The Guardian reports he considers the state of American journalism "pathetic" because of its general unwillingness to be an unpopular messenger of truth.

Earlier this week Popular Science banned online comments on its site. It argued they hurt debate and influenced public opinion in such a way as to affect how science was financed. But Alexis Sobel Fitts, writing for the Columbia Journalism Review, argues that Popular Science isn't actually interpreting science properly. The research it cited to ban comments didn't conclude what the publication said it did and didn't prove the impact of comments was so serious.

The Guardian reports on the final stretch of the long run toward new forms of press regulation in Britain. It notes that an October 9 meeting of the British privy council committee on culture will evaluate an industry proposal on self-regulation or a much more formidable one that enjoys all-party backing.

The New Statesman repurposes a well-received post from George Brock, the head of the City University of London's journalism department, on why newspapers and journalism are not in the trouble some believe. He thinks people still love reading ink on paper, that the revolution is really an evolution with several precedents, that adaptation for video and mobile will be necessary, but that ultimately the craft will survive this creative destruction.

media notes 09.27.13

9/27/2013

For Friday, September 27, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

A former federal Pakistan minister has suggested the country needs a press ombudsman to deal with standards and practices of the country's media. Javed Jabbar, a former minister of information, is a member of a commission examining media in the country. He argues that standards of fairness and balance have not been high and that a form of oversight is needed for media in his country.

Mathew Ingram, writing for paidContent, examines a recent presentation in Italy by Google's chief economist on what ails the newspaper business. Hal Varian argued that the Internet isn't responsible for the decline of newspapers (television news was much more significant) and that the Internet remains a much better way to deliver content. He notes that newspapers have made money from certain of their sections, but that it is much more difficult to profit from a "pure" news story.

A new British study suggests television remains the prime news source in the country, more than double that of newspapers, with radio and the Internet only slightly behind print. Press Gazette reports the Ofcom study found the BBC was the largest and most important source of news in the country. Of the 3,000 surveyed, 78 per cent used television, 40 per cent used papers, 35 per cent used radio and 32 per cent the Internet for news.

media notes 09.26.13

9/26/2013

For Thursday, September 26, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

Rem Rieder, the media columnist (now features editor) of USA Today, examines the need for philanthropic support for non-profit journalism in an age of for-profit cuts. He concludes that many non-profits will not become self-sustaining but that they will be needed (and needed to be supported) in an age of strained journalistic resources.

Alan Mutter, in his latest post for Reflections of a Newsosaur, questions the viability of online paywalls. He looks at the data and concludes precious few are paying and that "publishers counting on an enthusiastic reception for paid digital news may want to recalibrate their expectations." Meantime, the digital chief for The Nation writes on its new experiment with paywalls. Katelyn Belyus notes that the financial viability is essential to furthering its editorial mission and that its readers and not its advertisers count first.

Gerald Baker, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, describes native advertising as a "Faustian pact" publishers make with advertisers that will not work. He believes sponsored content confuses readers, which ultimately diminishes their trust, which in turn defeats the purpose of the content commingling with journalism. He thinks it's a phase that will run its course.

media notes 09.25.13

9/25/2013

For Wednesday, September 25, 2013, here are media stories of note:

Popular Science has decided to close its online content to public comments. It explains that its decision was not taken lightly, but believes that even a small cohort of fractious, politically motivated commenters can reshape public opinions about content, which in turn changes perceptions about public policy, which in turn changes which research gains public funds. Mathew Ingram, in a response on paidContent, writes that Popular Science should try to fix comments instead of closing possible avenues of serious debate about science.

Egyptian authorities have raided, seized equipment and closed the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood newspaper in Cairo. Al Jazeera reports that this week an Egyptian court ruled that the Brotherhood had fomented violence and terrorism, so the country has moved to suspend its activities and an associations.

The Guardian reader editor examines the newsroom's decision to publish government surveillance secrets leaked by former security employee Edward Snowden. Chris Elliott, in a lengthy account for the Comment is Free blog at The Guardian, notes that readers have raised concerns about the content of the stories but not about the Guardian's decision to publish. He observes that some of the organization's best stories have been about campaigning journalism.

Larry Kramer, the publisher of USA Today, believes newspapers need to be conversation-starters with more original content that permits journalists to have more of their own voice. Unique content and a sense of discovery are keys, with the latter quality also helpful in retaining advertising.

media notes 09.24.13

9/24/2013

For Tuesday, September 24, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

Eric Newton, writing in the Columbia Journalism Review, argues it is important to listen to the critics of the proposed American journalist shield law. He notes there has been a hasty acceptance of the value of the law without a rigorous, journalism-like scrutiny of its implications. While he accepts that organizational support for the concept is valuable (in-fighting has killed other measures), he thinks the country needs a better debate before proceeding.

Rem Rieder, the media columnist for USA Today, picks up on the suggestion by Pardon The Interruption sports host Tony Kornheiser: TV news should have fact-checkers and be prepared to admit mistakes on the spot. Mistakes are built into the business, but correcting them quickly and clearly mitigates any"It's the right move," Rieder writes.

Mathew Ingram, writing for paidContent, reports on the digital innovations at the Washington Post and Boston Globe as good examples of how newspapers can respond to seismic change. Rather than wallow in complaints that Google is stealing their content, they've introduced tools to help readers consume. Since no one really knows what the digital future will be like, Ingram says, experimentation is good practice.

media notes 09.23.13

9/23/2013

Some media stories of note for Monday, September 23, 2013:

A representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe says media freedom is deteriorating in Southeast Europe. Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE representative on freedom of media, said journalists were threatened, regulation was inadequate, and public broadcasters were not yet reformed. She told a conference that the problems threatened the future of democracy in the region.

Mathew Ingram, writing for paidContent, concludes that the unfortunate fact about the digital journalism business model is that its viability depends on either benevolence or cat GIFs and slideshows. Ingram says it's increasingly necessary to have a rich owner, ask for donations, have another business to subsidize media, focus on entertainment, or all of the above.

Jack Shafer, writing for Reuters, notes the serious speed of change in media and how it is possible now for upstarts to run incumbents into the ditch in short order. The technological life cycle is so quick that outlets can barely "assimilate the last new wrinkle before the next one (or one!) emerge," he writes. The good news: There has never been a better time for a startup.

The New York Times' Nick Bilton writes about Nick Denton, the Gawker founder, and his effort to expand and improve upon the voices through his Kinja website. Improvements to the site permit users to write headlines and summaries of the stories, then discuss them. The aim is to generate more comments and less yelling among them.

media notes 09.20.13

9/20/2013

Some media notes for Friday, September 20, 2013:

The Wall Street Journal reports on a social media crackdown in China. Leading social media figures have been interrogated or detained, while others have been warned about their activity as the country widens its laws to permit easier prosecution. The Weibo social media site has been particularly targeted.

Roy Greenslade, the media writer for The Guardian, looks at the threats to journalists in Yemen in the context of some progress on their rights. A Human Rights Watch report says Yemeni journalists are facing violence and intimidation from the current and former governments, rebels, secessionists and religious conservatives.

The editor of Gawker, in an interview with The Globe and Mail, dismisses the need for an "additional" set of ethics for journalists. John Cook says he is guided by basic ethical precepts, no different than a plumber's, and that another layer of guides isn't necessary. "I think it’s more instructive to think of reporters the way people think of tradesman and women. I think it’s a trade rather than a profession – it’s certainly starting to pay more like a trade than a profession. And I think the idea of building up a superstructure of journalism ethics is part of a process of trying to exclude the hoi polloi from the process of reporting and commenting on the news," he said.

media notes 09.19.13

9/19/2013

For Thursday, September 19, 2013, here are some media stories of note:

A new British study suggests girls are more tech-savvy than boys. They have greater tech access, more gadgets like smartphones and tablets, are more active in social media and are more likely to skip advertising. The study of about 1,000 British schoolchildren aged 8 to 16 indicates a child's bedroom is essentially a tech hub.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, says he has no interest in entering the news business. In a way, he says, Facebook is already in it, with technology that delivers the most relevant content based on user preferences, and opportunities for forums with each post. USA Today reports he believes there is already a lot of "awesome" content out there.

Critics say the proposed Free Flow of Information Act will not prevent the Obama Administration from its most aggressive legal efforts against reporters. US News reports that even supporters of the law concede the courts might restrict journalistic rights under the law. The Online News Association, meanwhile, is notifying members it is going to bat for many digital journalists who might not be clearly shielded and to strengthen the proposed law.

It is becoming clearer that a major parliamentary review is coming for the BBC. The chair of the Commons culture committee is indicating great concern about recent revelations of large payoffs to departing BBC executives. The Guardian says that issue and others appear to be propelling the committee to a major review in advance of government talks on the renewal of the BBC Trust.

media notes 09.18.13

9/18/2013

Here are some media stories of note for Wednesday, September 18, 2013:

Online piracy of entertainment continues to grow. The Los Angeles Times reports that a new study suggests the Internet bandwidth to stream and download illegal content has risen 160 per cent since 2010. NetNames, a British company that aims to protect brands, says piracy activities account for 24 per cent of all Internet traffic.

The ombudsman for National Public Radio has weighed in on fledgling Al Jazeera America's sponsorship presence on the radio network. Edward Schumacher-Matos examined complaints that NPR was unpatriotic or naive in accepting the sponsorship support. He said there exists several measures to ensure NPR's journalistic integrity, a wealth of sponsors to ensure none unduly influenced, and that a new voice in the media landscape should not be feared.

The Daily Mail is reporting on a University of Vienna study suggesting Facebook uses are quitting "in droves" over concerns about privacy, social media addiction, and the shallowness of conversations. Meantime, Business Insider notes that Twitter's impending filing of documents to support its initial public offering are bound to reveal an important, central fact: how many Twitter users there truly are. Estimates have ranged from about 200 million to nearly a billion.

Cookies track Internet use, but Google is reportedly working on new technology to enhance personal privacy and gain user permission while sharing enough information with advertisers about Internet tracking. USA Today reports the adID system has its disadvantages (Google and other large companies using it could have more clout), but is seen as a measure to permit users to have more control over how their information is gathered.

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