Here are some media stories of note for Monday, November 25, 2013:
Much was made earlier this year when The New York Times eliminated its "pod" of environmental reporters and later discontinued its Green blog. There were worries the leading news organization's moves would not only curtail its coverage but influence a decline in the coverage by others.
Margaret Sullivan, the Times' public editor, decided to discuss the impact of those decisions with experts, including former vice president Al Gore, and came away with a mixed review. Her latest post concludes that the Times did well in hiring to fill some of the gap this year, that its coverage of climate change has declined, but that the work being done is still well respected. The coverage is important, she says.
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The South African media have opted to defy a publication ban to print information and picture of President Jacob Zuma's swish new private home, replete with a poll, helipad, soccer pitch and tuck shop. Taxpayers are on the hook for $20 million. The Daily Mail notes the state security minister had issued a warning last week that depiction of the home would be a violation of security laws, but two media printed photos the next day.
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The Independent examines they way BuzzFeed is changing the way news is consumed. Its lists, its sponsored content and its preoccupation with pets and the 1990s draw traffic that help subsidize its more serious work in investigations, foreign coverage and politics.
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It is a principle of the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics that journalists should hold each other accountable, but it is also wise to be a little wary when one media organization runs a critical piece on another one. That being said, The New York Times (four bylines) has an extensive look at the contemporary challenges for Bloomberg News, particularly for its investigative journalism. The lengthy piece looks at Bloomberg's slowing business and its problems in China.
Much was made earlier this year when The New York Times eliminated its "pod" of environmental reporters and later discontinued its Green blog. There were worries the leading news organization's moves would not only curtail its coverage but influence a decline in the coverage by others.
Margaret Sullivan, the Times' public editor, decided to discuss the impact of those decisions with experts, including former vice president Al Gore, and came away with a mixed review. Her latest post concludes that the Times did well in hiring to fill some of the gap this year, that its coverage of climate change has declined, but that the work being done is still well respected. The coverage is important, she says.
---
The South African media have opted to defy a publication ban to print information and picture of President Jacob Zuma's swish new private home, replete with a poll, helipad, soccer pitch and tuck shop. Taxpayers are on the hook for $20 million. The Daily Mail notes the state security minister had issued a warning last week that depiction of the home would be a violation of security laws, but two media printed photos the next day.
---
The Independent examines they way BuzzFeed is changing the way news is consumed. Its lists, its sponsored content and its preoccupation with pets and the 1990s draw traffic that help subsidize its more serious work in investigations, foreign coverage and politics.
---
It is a principle of the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics that journalists should hold each other accountable, but it is also wise to be a little wary when one media organization runs a critical piece on another one. That being said, The New York Times (four bylines) has an extensive look at the contemporary challenges for Bloomberg News, particularly for its investigative journalism. The lengthy piece looks at Bloomberg's slowing business and its problems in China.
