We’ve all witnessed the growing pains of media organisations as they each grapple with the question of convergence. Whether it’s iPad apps, citizen journalism or pay walls, the breadth of the news industry’s response – particularly to the question of pulling coin – has often overshadowed debate on ethical standards and press conduct.
New News, the conference for media professionals running as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival, attempts to reignite questions of journalistic integrity. In his keynote address last night, ABC Managing Director Mark Scott addressed questions of access, commentary and timeliness, articulated through the lens of national coverage of the 2010 federal election campaign.
Scott presented the thesis that the 24-hour news cycle has exposed the machinations of power to a greater scrutiny; that news and entertainment are two very distinct parts of our daily cultural conversation, not to be confused with one another. And while arguing that ‘live matters’, he underlined the need to furnish audiences with background pieces contextualising the flurry of reportage and commentary.
Meanwhile, The Ethical Journalist Online this afternoon attempted to identify and address questions that face newsmakers in the era of digital and participatory media. Panellists Denis Muller, Paul Chadwick, Chris Chapman and Julian Disney discussed the impact of fast-turnaround journalism and what it means for accuracy and accountability – with Chadwick suggesting that breaking stories could come with “meaningful transmissions” updating audiences on the verification status of its sources. The session also covered the somewhat uncomfortable relationship between correctability, longevity and privacy.
As platforms where news organisations meet their audiences multiply – and television, radio and print continue to exist and cost money – perhaps it’s more a question of divergence than convergence. How will our media cope with the challenges of outputting more and more varied content, while also moderating comments and contributions from “the people formerly known as the audience”?
Follow the continuing discussion on Twitter with #newnews – or sit tight for New New News. Now, the weather.
As Nicki Greenberg unleashes her new adaptation of Hamlet on the world, here’s a classic video where she talks about why she re-made literature’s greatest characters into monsters and sea creatures.
Aussiecon 4 co-chair Perry Middlemiss
Yesterday Aussiecon4 kicked off its program of science fiction and fantasy events with a bang. The 68th World Science Fiction Convention (also known as Wolrdcon) brings in guests from around the globe but the event has been put together almost entirely by volunteers.
Co-chair of Aussiecon Perry Middlemiss has been working to bring the event to Melbourne for years. He told the Wheeler Centre, “It started as an idea back in 2002 and we had to go through a long bidding process in Australia, Europe and the US. We’d go to other conventions around the world and throw information sessions and parties – it’s been a lot of work.”
Hugo Award nominee China Mieville
The packed Aussiecon 4 program runs until Monday with talks, workshops, film premieres, masquerade balls and the some stellar guests. Today’s guest of honour is Shaun Tan and Saturday sees sci-fi legend Kim Stanley Robinson deliver keynote address.
But for many fans the big event is the Hugo Awards, science fiction’s biggest awards voted for by the fans themselves. To help them make their decision, all the books in the running are available as e-books. The awards are announced on Sunday night. While some are tipping China Mieville for the win, Middlemiss is keeping tight-lipped. “The awards are sitting in my room unopened but I can’t say yet.”
