Week 10: Digging the data to expose the truth

In the changing face of journalism, locating statistics, analysing the data and reporting the findings has become common practice.

This week’s tutorial explored how the ease of accessing sources online and integrating this data into stories can assist journalists in their role of being a ‘watchdog of society’.

Student presenter Chris Daniel suggested by using data as opposed to “making educated guesses” as in the past, it can boost both the journalists’ credibility and the audience’s belief that the information presented is truthful.

A story published in the Australia Guardian carrying the headline, “Australian adults born after 1966 may not be fully protected against measles” used figures to show current confirmed cases. This was integrated with immunisation statistics.

Prof Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases expert from the Australian National University, claimed “if we have pockets of low immunisation then something highly infectious like measles will obviously spread to a lot more people”.

“Statistics back that up,” he said.

It was revealed Central Sydney had the lowest rate of full immunisation for five-year-olds, at only 70.5%.

Byron Bay was the third lowest, with 73.2%.

By using data, Prof Peter Collignon exposed that although the World Health Organisation declared that Australia had officially eradicated measles transmission, it was still prevalent. By presenting the data to the public, the facts added credibility and were used to highlight the need for improved rates of immunisation.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBOhZn28TsE

In the video, Author and Editor of the Guardian Datablog, Simon Rogers, said the power of data journalism is not about “the existence of data, it’s not just attaining it and putting it out there, it’s the processing of working out what it tells you.”

Image Source: mediashilt.org

Through the use of data, print news organisations are not just confined to using text or a graphic. Incorporating statistics can increase the interactivity in stories and allow the audience to gain a greater understanding of the content.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s story, “How long have you got left,” includes an interactive life expectancy calculator to support the data. The figures provided from the Australian Bureau of Statistics add credibility and the use of visualised information helps improve audience engagement.

NBC News’ digital strategist Vivian Schiller believes “data is all things to all people”.

“The most important data is audience response that leads us to action,” she said.

In this regard, the data can act as an ‘unofficial’ activism.

References:

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) Statistics. Australian Government [available] http://www.abs.gov.au/ [accessed 15.10.2017]

Butt, C. and Frederiksen, S. (2017) How long have you got left? Find out with our life expectancy interactive. The Sydney Morning Herald Oct 19, 2017 [available] http://www.smh.com.au/national/how-long-have-you-got-left-find-out-with-out-life-expectancy-interactive-20171018-gz3av2.html [accessed 15.10.2017]

The Guardian (2013) What is data journalism at The Guardian? YouTube video [available] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBOhZn28TsE [accessed 15.10.2017]

Heywood, A. et. al. (2008) Elimination of endemic measles transmission in Australia. World Health Organisation [available] http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/97/1/07-046375/en/ [accessed 14.10.2017]

McGowan, M. (2017) Australian adults born after 1966 may not be fully protected against measles. The Guardian [available[ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/04/australian-adults-born-after-1966-may-not-be-fully-protected-against-measles [accessed 13.10.2017]

Mediashift (2010) Data-driven journalism = a process. Image file [available] https://10.wp.com/mediashift.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Data-driven_journalism_as_process-e1489422620906.jpg [accessed 15.10.2017]

Wenger, D. (2015) Journalism Done Audience First: Takeaways from Journalism Interactive 2015. Mediashift. [available] http://mediashift.org/2015/04/journalism-done-audience-first-takeaways-from-journalism-interactive-2015/ [accessed 15.10.2017]

 

Week 11: Bulahdelah thriving after highway bypass

CMNS 3420 Major Assignment Progress

Bulahdelah has become a popular tourist destination. Photo: Daniel Sahyoun

Community concerns that the Bulahdelah bypass would impact heavily on the local economy have almost faded to a distant memory. The bypass was completed in June 2013, and four years on, many businesses have reported a thriving trade.

As no official study of the town has been completed post-bypass, examining how the business community has adapted to the significant reduction in passing trade will produce an informative and engaging feature. The entire article will be based around figures, which relates to the Week 10 topic of “Digging the Data”.

Karuah, small fishing village located 40 kilometres south of Bulahdelah, was bypassed in 2004. The Karuah Highway Bypass Economic and Social Impacts report compiled by the University of Sydney in 2005, shows how the reduction in passing trade was extremely detrimental to the village. This resulted in the belief that Bulahdelah would suffer the same fate.

The report provided credible information and statistics. Although more than a decade old, the figures are still relevant. This information provided the basis for a comparison between Bulahdelah and Karuah post-bypass.

The Roads and Maritime Traffic Volume Viewer has been used to obtain data both pre and post-bypass. The vehicle count is recorded electronically and therefore can be considered a reliable source. Traffic flow data from 2006 to 2017 is available from this source.

Another useful document has been the Environmental Impact Statement Technical Paper – Traffic and Transport produced by the Roads and Traffic Authority. This provides data relating to heavy vehicle traffic through Bulahdelah and includes hourly rates and seasonal variations. Figures contained in the report also provide crash statistics pre-bypass. This data was used to compare with the current situation.

Data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics was also useful in showing population trends and employment sectors.

The RTA acquired considerable private land for the construction of the bypass, with claims of corruption and properties being undervalued by the authority. Despite extensive research, evidence relating to the price paid to landowners was not uncovered. As the focus of the article is post-bypass, it was decided not to include this information as it could not be verified.

Although the data relating to traffic volume is reliable, the limited facts published post-bypass on the economic impact means a vast amount of information needed to be gathered from interviewees.

Mount View Motel owner Patrick Bramston provided figures showing business has increased post-bypass. Photo: Daniel Sahyoun

The challenge was determining what was fact as opposed to opinion. Some sources provided current data for their businesses, whilst others spoke more generally. It was important to acknowledge this in the feature.

Fact: Bulahdelah Coles Express Manager Sue Malone has reduced trading hours as result of the reduction in passing trade. Photo: Daniel Sahyoun

Opinion: Kay and Kevin Aitken, owners of the family run Café on Main, said business is thriving. Photo: Daniel Sahyoun

Using the large amount of data gathered, I have been able to construct an account of Bulahdelah’s changing image; from a service town catering to passing trade to a thriving tourist destination.

Bulahdelah Visitor Information Centre staff interviewed reported a significant increase in local tourism. Photo: Daniel Sahyoun

The most challenging part of the research process is evaluating the most “newsworthy” aspects. Sifting through the large amounts of data, numerous transcribed interviews, pages of figures and opinions and deciding on the most relevant information whilst adhering to the word limit was difficult. The decision on what to include was based on the target audience, which is the Bulahdelah community, and the angle of the current economic climate of the town.

The main task now is to structure the data so it portrays the current state of play.

References:

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) Statistical Information. Australian Government. [available] http://www.abs.gov.au/ [accessed 15.10.2017]

Carrall, A. (2012) Bulahdelah Bypass: j) RTA Violations of Human Rights. WordPress [available] https://bulahdelahbypass.wordpress.com/rta-violations-of-human-rights-publication-pending/ [accessed 15.10.2017]

NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (2004) Bulahdelah Upgrading the Pacific Highway: Environmental Impact Statement Technical Paper 6 – Traffic and Transport. Parsons Brinckerhoff Sydney [available] http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/pacific-highway/hexam-to-port-macquarie-eis-tech-paper-6.pdf [accessed 18.10.2017]

NSW Roads and Maritime Service (2017) Traffic Traker. [available] (http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/about/corporate-publications/statistics/traffic-volumes/aadt-map/index.html#/?z=9&lat=-32.63298863896695&lon=151.88025749609366&yr=2017)
[accessed 15.10.2017]

Rowe, H. and Phibbs, P. (2005) The Karuah Highway Bypass: Economic and Social Impacts, The 1 Year Report. NSW Roads and Maritime Service, The University of Sydney [available] http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/town-bypasses-karuah-one-year-impacts-report.pdf [accessed 13.10.2017]

Sahyoun, D. (2016) Photos – Author

Week 8 – Social media and Journalism: the rise of opinion – where does that leave factual storytelling?

image source – https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=edLmSyUc&id=E0749BA36E6AA03E7B9F8256441A55884CF11E2B&thid=OIP.edLmSyUc3WmP1jfOmR5cawEsCq&q=social+media&simid=608030129541022287&selectedIndex=121&ajaxhist=0

This week’s tutorial showed how the use of social media vastly aids the work of journalists. Through increasing connections with the public, it provides a voice for many and enables the public to contribute their opinion to a story. Social media’s worldwide reach also allows news stories to be instantly shared and gain far greater coverage than through traditional mediums.

It was also noted that the use of social media has resulted in faster story production. Instead of spending hours sourcing contacts, story leads and information are frequently gathered from social media sites. This means stories are often published online with limited credible information, and updated as further details become available, either more factual or additional public views. By having the opportunity to comment on stories posted on web and social media sites, every individual with access has the potential to provide an opinion. Regardless of whether it is positive or negative, the use of citizen journalism allows a unique outlook on events.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTRG2BZlizc

The video shows with the increased commonality of mobile phones, it is easier for the general public to capture events as they occur and send the images on via their social media accounts. These can easily be obtained by news outlets.

In events such as the Boston Bombings and Arab Spring, news outlets have relied on information and images gathered from social media sites to construct the initial stories. In this sense, something that is instantly available on video sharing sites can have huge benefits for news organisations. They are now able to obtain footage which may not have previously been possible.

Image source – https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=1PO70iVZ&id=09AA30B8A6B861BE616E136B2BE46B63FBBD3726&thid=OIP.1PO70iVZToxkGYygJrbLxQFSC4&q=fake+news&simid=608016797937238765&selectedIndex=118&ajaxhist=0

Unfortunately, we have also seen a greater prevalence of fake news within the mainstream media. Due to the popularity of social media as a news-sharing source, it can be difficult to differentiate what is factual and what isn’t. Widespread traction or a high number of likes on social media does not always mean credible information. This was demonstrated in the 2016 US Presidential election, where both sides were (and still continue to be) criticised for creating fake news in order to gain an edge over the opposing side.

Further, during the recent elections in Kenya, numerous fake newspapers bearing official letterheads were distributed. With many of Kenya’s younger voting population sourcing their news from social media coupled with incidents of violence caused by the media in the 2007/08 elections, it is apparent that traditional sources are not widely ‘trusted’ as credible sources. With the popularity of social media sites, traditional forms have limited capability to improve traction.

References:

Daniel, Z. (2017) Trump’s week: Tables turn as media slams US President for fake news. ABC News. [available] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-30/donald-trump-slammed-by-media-for-fake-news/8665682 [accessed 3.10.2017]

The Economist (2013) Citizen journalism 2.0. Youtube video. [available] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTRG2BZlizc [accessed 3.10.2017]
Ogola, G. (2017) How social media and fake news are battering traditional media in Kenya. The Conversation [available] https://theconversation.com/how-social-media-and-fake-news-are-battering-traditional-media-in-kenya-82920 [accessed 3.10.2017]

Week Nine – Race and gender wars in the Australian media

(image source – https://storify.com/mArjan2/getting-started)

The media is an influential power. The way women are portrayed across all contexts can distort public perception as to what is considered acceptable in terms of gender roles.

This week’s tutorial demonstrated that traditional gender views can lead to double standards within the media. The public’s expectations of male and female presenters is closely related to entrenched stereotypical depictions.

In a gender bias experiment, Karl Stefanovic wore the same suit for a year, yet nobody noticed. Even when made public, it barely rated a mention. In comparison, Ten EyeWitness News presenter Nartasha Belling was criticised for wearing a “phallic dress” on air. We are left to ask, “why is what a female presenter wears more important than her work performance?

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But the bias is not just directed towards media presenters. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard was highly criticised by the media because of her gender. Numerous news articles during her ministership attacked her appearance, including the trivial obsession with her hairstyle and fashion sense for example, rather than her ability or work performance. This apparent perception that women are merely fashion models who are unable to perform to the same standard is frequently presented in the media. In Gillard’s case, there were numerous media campaigns directed against her, including calls for her resignation in the infamous “Ditch the Witch” campaign.

Although there were also hostile media campaigns during the Abbott Ministry, especially the infamous “F- Tony Abbott” slogans, he was solely criticised for his work ability.

Current Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is widely criticised for his policies and political decision making, but unlike Gillard, his gender, clothing or appearance has not been a contentious issue.

Gendered stereotyping is not limited to the media itself, but also in marketing of products.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JDmb_f3E2c

This video shows the gender divide used to market toys specifically to males or females. With the traditional view of “blue for boys and pink for girls”, the promotion conformed to accepted gender notions. The video demonstrates that Lego was a ‘universal’ toy. In more recent times it has been ‘geared’ towards females, for example a dollhouse-type Lego set has been designed and marketed towards girls.

Women’s underrepresentation in many areas of society is an ongoing issue. While in Australia, overall education and quality of life has improved vastly, there is still a long way to go. Research shows women who hold Bachelor degrees or a higher education equivalent is currently at 28% in comparison to just 13% in 1996.

In addition the pay gap still exists, with 15.3% of women earning more than $250 less than their male counterparts for the same work.

There is a need for the general public to look past the traditional stereotypical views. In the media, where there is a lower representation of females, women need to have a greater voice and to be able to voice their concerns. This will allow for not only greater transparency in the media, but also for greater representation across all business sectors.

References:

Australian Government (2017) Australia’s gender pay gap statistics. Workplace Gender Equality Agency [available] https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/gender-pay-gap-statistics.pdf [accessed 9.10.2017]

RMIT ABC (2017) Fact check: Have women become better educated whilst the gender pay gap hasn’t budged? ABC News [available] http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/2017-08-02/fact-check-women-education-gender-pay-gap/8760614 [accessed 9.10.2017]

The Check Out (2014) Gendered Marketing. Youtube video [available] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JDmb_f3E2c [accessed 9.10.2017]

 

Week Seven: Fake News – ‘Alternative’ Facts and Propaganda just ‘spin’ or dangerous?

(image source: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-37846860)

Consider this situation – You are a journalist in a newsroom. As a deadline is fast approaching, you won’t have time to check every detail of the story as you normally would. In fact, you are short a couple of stories. You have a look at what is trending on social media and internet sites in the hope of finding a quick lead. You find a couple that seem quite credible. The stories are in … but you discover all the information you used is incorrect or false.

Assistant Professor of Journalism at Ithaca college Anthony Adornata, conducted a recent study on social media’s impact on newsroom editorial decisions. He concluded that a third of respondents indicated their stations have reported information from social media that was later found to be false or inaccurate. Forty percent of newsrooms didn’t have an editorial policy concerning social media and while Facebook is trying to stop the spread of fake news by new algorithms, their admission is “We cannot become arbiters of truth ourselves — it’s not feasible given our scale, and it’s not our role.”

This is an issue with the spread of fake news. It is not the stories that are obviously wrong and misleading or have a satirical purpose, it is the stories that may have some truth to them, but they are not completely accurate.

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A front page of an issue of Time magazine claimed, “Russia wants to undermine faith in the U.S. election”. It was later found that the Russians did not try to undermine the recent election. The source should have been checked first!

For the time and resource poor journalist, not checking sources adequately can be a trap.

“A fake news website might publish a hoax, then because it’s getting social attention another site might pick it up, write that story as though it’s true and may not link back to the original fake news website. From there it’s a chain reaction until at some point a journalist at a largely credible outlet might see it and quickly write something up, because many journalists are trying to write as many stories as possible and write stories that get traffic and social attention. The incentive is towards producing more and checking less.”

BBC Trending (2016) The rise and rise of fake news. [available] http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-37846860

Deliberately making up news stories to fool or entertain is nothing new. But the arrival of social media has meant real and fictional stories are now presented in a way that can sometimes be difficult to tell the two apart.

All of these forms of alternate ‘journalism’ rely on being transmitted to the wider population by a communication means. In the internet age, fake news and propaganda reach a mass and widespread audience by the use of the internet and social media.

With news services stretched for resources and the sheer volume of information available, it is impossible for journalists, or for that matter the public, to be able to source the accuracy of all information.

Winston Churchill is believed to have said “A lie can go halfway around the world before the truth gets a chance to get its pants on”.

The internet can reach a mass audience and the volume of information available on these sites makes it near impossible to check everything.

Where does this leave journalists and newsrooms? Source vetting would be a good start … if only there was the time.

References:
@ anthonyadornato (2016) Study Reveals Social Media’s Impact on Newsroom Editorial Decisions [available] http://anthonyadornato.com/study-reveals-social-medias-impact-on-editorial-decisions/ [accessed 5.09.2017]

BBC Newsround (2017) Fake news: What is it? And how to spot it [available] http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/38906931 [accessed 2.09.2017]

BBC Trending (2016) The rise and rise of fake news. [available] http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-37846860 [accessed 2.09.2017]

Lam, S. (2017) Facebook’s new anti-fake news strategy is not going to work – but something else might. The Conversation April 27 2017. [available]

https://theconversation.com/facebooks-new-anti-fake-news-strategy-is-not-going-to-work-but-something-else-might-76327 [accessed 5.09.2017]

Week Six: Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Information

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In a recent opinion piece in the Daily Telegraph Mark Latham commented that ”The freedom to express our views is a fundamental part of Australian democracy … Free speech is under attack. Everywhere we look, there’s a new attack on the rights and liberties of Australian citizens.”

In a democracy, the press should be able to present any number of opinions about events that the public should be made aware of. The ability of the press to be able to operate without the hindrance of government interference for example, is important. In a democracy the press should be able to advance alternate opinions and uncover the truth behind stories without interference. As the Australian Press Council comments:

“In a truly democratic society open debate, discussion, criticism and dissent are central to the process of generating informed and considered choices. These processes are crucial to the formation of values and priorities and help in assessing and finding solutions to social, economic and political problems.”
Australian Press Council (2011) A Charter for a Free Press in Australia. Australian Press Council

While total freedom of expression is the goal, there are obviously times where it would be inappropriate. Reporting false facts (e.g. fake news) and prejudicing a criminal trial, freedom of expression should be protected from those who simply want to shut down their opponents.

However, “we are increasingly seeing the rich and powerful resort to litigation to pursue journalists’ sources or lodge defamation writs purely to stop the publication of stories and scare off the rest of the media” according to Nick McKenzie of the Age investigative team. Freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of information is essential in guaranteeing a healthy democracy and keeping the powerful in check.

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There is also a suppression of what journalists can report in many countries. This is particularly apparent in communist regimes, but also in supposed “free” countries there are suppressions on what can be reported. In this week’s seminar, we discussed press freedoms throughout the world. While Australia enjoys a relatively free press, this is not the case in many countries. Communist countries such as China and North Korea place many restrictions on what can be published. While this may keep the population “controlled” is does not serve to advance freedom in the general sense.

Free speech should be just that.

Should journalists then deliberately withhold information from the public to save their own necks?

How “free” is free speech? What do you believe?

References:
Australian Press Council (2011) A Charter for a Free Press in Australia. Australian Press Council [available] http://www.presscouncil.org.au/charter-of-press-freedom/ [accessed 11.07.2017]

Latham, M. (2017) Attach on free speech. The Daily Telegraph 12 September 2017. p13

The Wakely Foundation (2014) 2014 Press Freedom Address. [available]http://www.walkleys.com/2014-press-freedom-australia-address/ [accessed 11.07.2017]

The Wakely Foundation (2016) mandatory prevention. [available] http://www.walkleys.com/mandatory-prevention-hard-report-asylum-seekers-days/ [accessed 11.07.2017]

The Wakely Foundation (2015) Freedom of Expression: The Operating System for story-telling. [available] http://www.walkleys.com/freedom-of-expression-the-operating-system-for-story-telling/ [accessed 11.07.2017]

Week 4: Data Journalism, Leaks and the Panama Papers

The “Panama Papers” — 11.5 million files, 2.6 terabytes of digital information in what one newspaper called “history’s biggest data leak”.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists commented that a system exists that enables crime, corruption and wrongdoing to operate through hidden offshore companies. The release of this information exposed many prominent world leaders, as well as hundreds of their associates. ​

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VfBd-yL0hI

Cyber leaks have become increasingly larger over the past decade, highlighting the opportunities presented by the digital revolution.

Source: http://www.bullionreserve.com/news-insights

New digital platforms enable everyone to collect and share data online. In the digital age, where stories break online, it can be used by journalists as a tool to efficiently seek and present the truth.

“Data journalism is a new set of skills for searching, understanding and visualizing digital sources in a time that basic skills from traditional journalism just aren’t enough. It’s not a replacement of traditional journalism, but an addition to it.” Jerry Vermanen

For regional and rural journalists, who are often limited by resources, data can be effectively used to custom stories to their audience. Online data can also act as a lead, prompting a more thorough investigation. Reporting on rates of hospital infection or NAPLAN test results for example, have the potential to highlight faults within the health and education systems, but is often justified in the public interest.

With the 9 September NSW Council elections, data journalists will report the figures as counting commences as early as 6pm on election night. In this regard, the data analyses is important to both the candidates and to the public.

But, should privacy be protected, or does public interest justify leaking documents?
WikiLeaks exposed killings, torture and corruption as well as abuses in banking and taxation. Through an invasion of privacy, CCTV was used to identify the Boston Marathon terrorists.

In contrast, the phone hacking scandal by journalists at the Murdoch-run News of the World, served no public interest, and was simply viewed as an abuse of privacy.

Data journalism should provide transparency, accountability and justice.
Seattle Times Journalists, Cheryl Phillips, said when the truth is suppressed or distorted, corruption and injustice can flourish.

“Without data, connections between powerful people or entities would go unrevealed, deaths caused by drug policies that would remain hidden, environmental policies that hurt our landscape would continue unabated. But each of the above was changed because of data that journalists have obtained, analyzed and provided to readers.”

Data journalism is simply an extension of investigative journalism, in that it aims to investigate, uncover, and present the truth.

References:

BBC News (2012) Q&A: News of the World phone hacking scandal. BBC News 4 August 2012 [available] http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11195407

Dalzell, S. (2016) NAPLAN results show literacy, numeracy skills have stalled despite record funding. ABC News 3 Aug 2016 [available] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-03/naplan-results-show-literacy-numeracy-skills-have-stalled/7683244

Financial Times (2016) The Panama Papers in 90seconds. Youtube video [available] https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=impact+of+the+panama+papers&&view=detail&mid=01CB760A0D45ACBA0F1F01CB760A0D45ACBA0F1F&FORM=VRDGAR

Harding, L. (2016) What are the Panama Papers? A guide to history’s biggest data leak. The Guardian 5 April 2016 [available] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/03/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-panama-papers

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (2016) Giant Leak of Offshore Financial Records Exposes Global Array of Crime and Corruption [available] https://panamapapers.icij.org/20160403-panama-papers-global-overview.html

Open Knowledge Foundation (n.d.) Data Journalism Handbook [available] http://datajournalismhandbook.org/1.0/en/introduction_2.html

Pegg, D. (2016) The Panama Papers fallout: banana protests, paltry fines and a PR problem. The Guardian December 21 2016 [available] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/21/panama-papers-fallout-banana-protests-fines-iceland-uk-david-cameron

Week Five: The Future of Public Interest Journalism

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Theoretically, all serious journalism should be in the public interest – to inform of issues that are relevant to the public and more importantly, to keep the powerful in check.

In this regard, Public Interest journalism functions as more than simply just entertainment or a way of catering to the needs of mass voyeurism.

Andrea Carson in The Conversation considers Public interest journalism as the antithesis of media’s darker side, which includes fake news, propaganda, censorship and voyeurism.

With the rise of “fake” news and propaganda existing on information sources such as the internet, there is a need to ensure that relevant and accurate information is presented for public consumption.

“Public interest journalism plays a central role in a healthy, safe and effective democratic society … It provides citizens with the information needed to participate in the democratic process. An informed public in an effective democracy requires public interest journalism in privately owned, government funded and non-profit media organisations.”

There are pressures affecting the survival of this form of journalism. In the recent times, the investigative efforts of Joanne McCarthy and the Boston Globe team (Spotlight) in uncovering widespread criminal activity in the Catholic Church brought justice to victims and led to the powerful having to account for their actions. However, the downsizing of traditional media organisations inhibits their ability to provide sufficient resources needed to produce thorough and accurate stories to inform the public.

The Public Interest Journalism Foundation comments on the cuts to the ABC and SBS which raises serious concerns about the capacity of these organisations to produce quality journalism. With further layoffs throughout the industry, there will be greater pressure on existing resources, especially in regional and rural areas where they are already limited.
Further, a journalist with limited resources and time, may fall into the trap of using questionable sources to their advantage.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GHzxE4V0GY

If it creates a controversy it becomes useful to them.

The need for accurate and quality journalism is highlighted in the Select Committee on Future of Public Interest Journalism where part of their terms of reference relates to:

(c) the impact on public interest journalism of search engines and social media internet service providers circulating fake news, and an examination of counter measures directed at online advertisers, ‘click-bait’ generators and other parties who benefit from disinformation;

(d) the future of public and community broadcasters in delivering public interest journalism, particularly in underserviced markets like regional Australia, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities;

(e) examination of ‘fake news’, propaganda, and public disinformation, including sources and motivation of fake news in Australia, overseas, and the international response

An examination of the role of Public Interest Journalism and the lack of critical thinking, lack of alternate analysis and the lack of source vetting that tends to characterise “fake news” and propaganda, may see a return to the need for quality stories from quality sources.

The public deserves no better.

Carson, A. (2017) explainer: what is public interest journalism? The Conversation [available] https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-public-interest-journalism-78996

Public Interest Journalism Foundation (2014) ABC and SBS cuts raise profound concerns for democracy and society [available] http://www.pijf.com.au/abc-and-sbs-cuts-raise-profound-concerns-for-democracy-and-society/

The Newcastle Herald (2017) http://www.theherald.com.au/shine-the-light/

Public Interest Journalism Foundation (2014) ABC and SBS cuts raise profound concerns for democracy and society [available] http://www.pijf.com.au/abc-and-sbs-cuts-raise-profound-concerns-for-democracy-and-society/

Parliament of Australia (2017) Senate Select Committee on the Future of Public Interest Journalism : Terms of Reference [available] http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Future_of_Public_Interest_Journalism/PublicInterestJournalism/Terms_of_Reference

Week Three Blog: Investigative Journalism – Advocacy or Both?

This week’s tutorial focused on investigative journalism, highlighting Joanne McCarthy’s work with the Newcastle Herald’s “Shine the Light” campaign. McCarthy provided a voice and advocated for the victims, demonstrating that no institution, no matter how large and powerful, is above the law.

Source: Newcastle Herald “Abuse” 17 March 2015.

McCarthy’s expositions uncovered many hidden truths. In a similar fashion, the Boston Globe’s investigative team, as portrayed in the film Spotlight, uncovered years of institutionalised abuse, bringing the truth to light. In both cases, investigative journalism allowed for the advocacy of broader issues discovered.

What often starts as an investigation into a single topic, can ‘unearth’ many side issues. By uncovering corruption, injustice, maladministration and lies in the public interest, the media’s information can bring an accountability aspect, benefiting the public by informing and promoting awareness. It lifts the lid on areas that were once only discussed behind closed doors, where the powerful maintained a “nothing to see here” attitude. To that end, it is a credit to the journalists who show at times an unthanked persistence in shining a light into a dark place (Taylor and Johnston 2017).

In a world of fake news, never has the need for investigative journalism been more vital. It is about exposing the truth and following that impulse to discover the entire story.

But can the media be trusted to provide the truth, or do they simply present an account that will appeal to mass consumption?

In the case of Lindy Chamberlain, it was the biased reporting that led to her conviction in a what became known as a trial by media (Staines, Biber and Arrow 2012). The Sydney Morning Heralds’ “Lindy reminds us of media at its feral worst” discusses the media treatment that contributed to the cloud of prejudice that influenced public opinion, and subsequently the jury. The media’s sensationalist reporting did not present the truth.

Sydney Morning Herald journalist, Malcolm Brown, recalls the “back stabbing, bickering, betrayal and a bit of trickery” used by media outlets at the time. According to Mr Brown, this is a symptom of the desperation of newspapers to keep going in the face of the electronic revolution, which includes social media and other online platforms.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dmefPEazTE

In an ironic twist of fate, it was investigative journalism that acted as an advocacy for the Chamberlains long after the guilty verdict was handed down, leading to Lindy’s acquittal.

During the tutorial, Christina Koutsoukos posed the question “how far should the journalist go?” McCarthy’s work lead to a royal commission, holding those involved accountable for their actions. In this case, the reporting was in the public interest and advocated for those suffering. In the case of Lindy Chamberlain, it was only through persistent investigative journalism that the real truth was exposed.

References:

McCarthy, J. (2015) No institution is all powerful. Newcastle Herald 17 March 2015. [available] http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2952054/comment-no-institution-is-all-powerful/?cs=3374
McCarthy J. (2016) The point in the film Spotlight that had me in tears. The Sydney Morning Herald February 26, 2016 [available] http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-point-in-the-film-spotlight-that-had-me-in-tears-20160225-gn47hv.html
Newcastle Herald “Abuse” 17 March 2015. Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxSLrgod50A
Staines, D., Biber, K. and Arrow, M. (2012) Azaria Chamberlain inquest: forget the dingo jokes and recognise Lindy’s trauma. The Conversation June 12, 2012 [available] https://theconversation.com/azaria-chamberlain-inquest-forget-the-dingo-jokes-and-recognise-lindys-trauma-7590
Taylor, P. and Johnston, K. (2017) Investigative journalism: Shining a light into the shadows. New Zealand Herald 5 August 2017 [available] http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899091