The Future of Journalism

Part 1: Clay Shirky lecture

Go to the Nieman Lab webpage (part of Harvard university) and watch the video of Clay Shirky presenting to Harvard students. The video is also available on YouTube below but the Nieman Lab website has a written transcript of everything Shirky says. 

Play the clip AND read along with the transcript below to ensure you are following the argument. You need to watch from the beginning to 29.35 (the end of Shirky's presentation). Once you've watched and read the presentation and made notes (you may want to copy and paste key quotes from the transcript which is absolutely fine), answer the questions below:

1) Why does Clay Shirky argue that 'accountability journalism' is so important and what example does he give of this?

Clay Shirky argues that "accountability journalism" is crucial because it holds powerful institutions and individuals accountable for their actions, thus serving as a check on corruption and abuse of power. He gives the example of the Boston Globe's investigative reporting on the Catholic Church's cover-up of sexual abuse by priests, which led to widespread outrage and pressure for reform within the Church.

2) What does Shirky say about the relationship between newspapers and advertisers? Which websites does he mention as having replaced major revenue-generators for newspapers (e.g. jobs, personal ads etc.)?

Shirky highlights the symbiotic relationship between newspapers and advertisers, where advertisers overpaid for ad space due to limited alternatives for reaching consumers. However, with the rise of websites like Monster, Match, and Craigslist, major revenue streams for newspapers, such as job listings and personal ads, have been replaced by online platforms, disrupting the traditional newspaper business model.

3) Shirky talks about the 'unbundling of content'. This means people are reading newspapers in a different way. How does he suggest audiences are consuming news stories in the digital age?

Shirky discusses the "unbundling of content," indicating that audiences no longer consume news stories in the holistic manner of print newspapers. Instead, they access news articles individually through online platforms like social media, email, or direct links, bypassing the traditional newspaper format.

4) Shirky also talks about the power of shareable media. How does he suggest the child abuse scandal with the Catholic Church may have been different if the internet had been widespread in 1992?

Shirky suggests that the widespread availability of the internet in 1992 might have significantly altered the response to the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. With viral sharing capabilities and digital platforms enabling rapid dissemination of information, public awareness and outrage could have spread more quickly and extensively, potentially prompting earlier and more substantial action.

5) Why does Shirky argue against paywalls? 

Shirky argues against paywalls because they restrict the public's ability to access and share news content freely. By imposing barriers to access, paywalls inhibit the viral spread of information and limit the potential for accountability journalism to reach a wide audience.

6) What is a 'social good'? In what way might journalism be a 'social good'?

A "social good" refers to a benefit or service that contributes to the well-being and advancement of society as a whole. Journalism can be considered a social good because it plays a critical role in informing the public, fostering transparency, and holding power to account, thus promoting a more informed and democratic society.

7) Shirky says newspapers are in terminal decline. How does he suggest we can replace the important role in society newspapers play? What is the short-term danger to this solution that he describes?

Shirky suggests replacing the role of newspapers in society with a diverse ecosystem of institutions or models that produce accountability journalism. This could involve experimenting with different approaches, such as endowments, crowd-sourcing, or social production. However, he warns of the short-term danger of a decline in accountability journalism, as the transition to new models may take time and may not immediately fill the gap left by declining newspapers.

8) Look at the first question and answer regarding institutional power. Give us your own opinion: how important is it that major media brands such as the New York Times or the Guardian continue to stay in business and provide news?

Institutional power, as demonstrated by major media brands like the New York Times or the Guardian, is crucial for holding powerful entities accountable and providing high-quality journalism. These institutions often have the resources, credibility, and reach to conduct in-depth investigations and bring important issues to light. Their continued existence is essential for maintaining a vibrant and informed society, making it important to support their sustainability and relevance in the digital age.

Part 2: MM55 - Media, Publics, Protest and Power

Media Magazine 55 has an excellent feature on power and the media. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM55 and scroll to page 38 to read the article Media, Publics, Protest and Power', a summary of Media academic Natalie Fenton’s talk to a previous Media Magazine conference. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the three overlapping fields that have an influence on the relationship between media and democracy?

The three overlapping fields that have an influence on the relationship between media and democracy are political, economic, and journalistic.

2) What is ‘churnalism’ and what issues are there currently in journalism?

'Churnalism' refers to the practise of journalists relying heavily on press releases and wire stories, often without conducting original research or verifying information. This practise leads to a decrease in the quality and depth of news reporting, as well as a reliance on pre-packaged narratives rather than investigative journalism.

3) What statistics are provided by Fenton to demonstrate the corporate dominance of a small number of conglomerates? 

Fenton provides statistics indicating that just three companies control 71% of UK national newspaper circulation, while only five groups control more than 80% of combined online and offline news.

4) What is the 'climate of fear' that Fenton writes about in terms of politics and the media? 

The 'climate of fear' that Fenton writes about in terms of politics and the media involves politicians being afraid of negative publicity that could damage their careers or their party's chances of re-election. This fear leads to reluctance to investigate wrongdoing in the media, hindering the expansion of large media conglomerates, or introduce new regulation of news organisations and journalistic practises.

5) Fenton finishes her article by discussing pluralism, the internet and power. What is your opinion on this crucial debate - has the internet empowered audiences and encouraged democracy or is power even more concentrated in the hands of a few corporate giants?

The debate about pluralism, the internet, and power is complex. On one hand, the internet has provided platforms for diverse voices to be heard and has facilitated connectivity and participation in political discourse. It has enabled rapid dissemination of information and has allowed for international communication among political activists. However, the internet is also susceptible to corporate influence and surveillance, which can distort democratic processes. The concentration of power in the hands of a few corporate giants can limit the diversity of voices and perspectives available online, undermining the democratic potential of the internet. Therefore, while the internet has the potential to empower audiences and encourage democracy, it also poses challenges in terms of ensuring information pluralism and protecting against corporate influence.