There’s plenty for
journalists to worry about these days -- new business models, innovation and
technology, press freedom, media regulation, labor relations and safety issues
are all big issues for media professional groups. But people who work in this
field have identified quality of content as their number one priority.
Mostly surveys are
carried out in which, 85 percent of the reporters and collaborators, the issue
of standards and reliability emerged at the top of a crowded list of concerns
facing the media industry. The survey asked the supporters to identify their
top four action points as the industry continues a process of transformation
into a converged, digital environment. A clear majority pointed to worries over
quality and reliability of content.
The importance of
good governance, ethics and self-regulation is the top most important thing. In
the last few years media have struggled to define new business models and to
transform their newsrooms to meet new technological challenges while at the
same time maintaining their focus on news safety and press freedom, two issues
that have dominated the international media agenda over the past 20 years.
Most cover a range
of concerns while others have a specific mandate. They were asked to identify
the top four action areas from a list that included press freedom and safety;
media development; media policy and regulation; business models; technology and
innovation; quality of content; or another subject of their choosing.
The results placed
worries over content ahead of press freedom and safety and was a box ticked
twice as much as than questions of media policy, media development and the
impact of technology.
Although the agenda
remains generally the same, it’s clear that worries over reliability of content
and quality of information have moved up the list. There’s a growing and shared
concern about how to improve journalism and content across the spectrum of
media services.
The results show
that members are ready to collaborate on cross-industry initiatives to promote
common ethical and governance standards.
All the members who
responded agreed to work on three proposed industry-led studies including a
survey on the value of self-regulation and inquiries into the problem of
hate-speech in media and the crisis of paid journalism.
The survey also
asked members what role the members can play in the coming years and they
agreed that raising awareness of ethical and governance issues should be the
most important objective as well as improving links between media professionals
and media support groups at global level rather than at national level.
After a year or so
of our work it is useful to take soundings among our members and it’s clear
that the media community is more open to opportunities for working together to
build credibility and standards. It’s a good sign and will help us develop an
activity programmer that meets the needs of journalists and media.
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