Reading: Chapter 12 - Broadcast Journalism: the world's town crier in The Daily Miracle: An introduction to journalism / David Conley & Stephen Lamble. Melbourne, Victoria. Oxford University Press, 2006. 3rd ed.
- Do you think the ABC should be privatised? What impact might this have on broadcast journalism? If you disagree, could the government funding process be made less 'political'?
Privatising the ABC would be would be an absolute mistake. The ABC provides some of the Australia's most informative and important current affairs and political programs available on the radio. The ABC is free from commercial influence in that it is funded by the government. Commercialising the ABC would have devastating effects on the integrity and overall content of it's broadcast programming. The ABC essentially acts as the fourth estate, it checks and balances the government by holding them accountable for their actions. Commercialising the ABC would undoubtedly shift the ABC away from doing this essential role. Commercialism promotes bias and unfavourable content for money.
- You are a television news director with two strong job applications. One is from a 'telegenic' male, 28, with reasonable skill and experience. The other is from a female, 38. She is of 'average' appearance but has considerable skill and experience. Your present staff consists of four females and one male, none older than 32. Who do you hire and why?
In a perfect world, skill and experience would obviously be much more favourable than youth and good looks. I would probably, unashamedly hire the male, for several reasons. He's young and has some experience, training someone and seeing them develop to their full potential would be a great thing to do. Definite job satisfaction in that. He's a male, and not being sexist, the station already has four females and only one male. The lone ranger needs a partner in crime. Sorry to the old bird, but theres too many things going for the young chap.
- Given the strengths and weaknesses of each medium, which do you think is the 'best communicator' on any given story: radio, television, the web or newspapers?
We all know that each of the different mediums definitely have their strengths and weaknesses. Going into each medium would take a while. But I still think newspapers are the best communicators in terms of content. Other mediums maybe more accessable, but newspaper allow for much more in depth coverage and opinion on news issues. Newspaper articles aren't constricted by time and they don't have to be written to images. Each of the different mediums are good for different reasons, in terms of communication, the in depth, hard coverage of an issue is always going to be better than something that has to accomodate images and time constraints.
- During the last federal election campaign do you think the broadcast media focused more on issues or personalities? What could have been done better?
Although it would appear that the last election focused to closely upon the personalities I think if you look more closely at the outcome and the reasons why, then the issues seem to take prevalence as to the reasons for the election win by Kevin Rudd.
Sure K-Rudd had an extremely well orchestrated PR plan that helped him win the 'hearts and minds' of the people. Not since Hitler's use of imagery, slogans and hysteria has their been a political PR campaign like this. 'Kevin 07', T-shirts, an holistic approach to new media including youtube, facebook and myspace all helped to carve out a lasting impression of K-Rudds personality to the Australian people. The media lapped it up.
BUT the thing that ensure Kevin Rudd one the election, is that behind the facade, there was some dynamic and significant promises to policy change that excited the nation. The ending of work choices, an 'education revolution' and a new era of economic policy were all focused upon heavily by the Australian media. What could have been done better? Maybe K-Rudd could follow through with some of promises?
