Activism

Recently two Editorial articles appeared in a major Canadian newspaper. The first referred to an unacceptable activity abroad and ended by telling the electorate, assuming that any would actually read this paper, that resolution was at the ballot box and that they should vote against the current Government at the next election – pretty strong stuff and a serious call to action. The other was an article about some unacceptable lack of activity by public employees here in Toronto resulting in someone’s death. The direct culprits were going to receive minimal punishment and then, possibly after some training (who knows whether it ever took place), were just going back to work. And the punishment for all the other people responsible – nothing; which was exactly the same as the call to action by the newspaper editor. So we are happy to tell others what they should do but keep quiet here at home. What relevance the newspaper.

A few days ago I heard the excuse from a senior ex editor of a major US newspaper who had just completed a report on the future of the industry. While we just about have necessary resources for Report journalism we no longer had sufficient for Investigative work (Of course the article I referred to was investigative). The solution was for everyone else to pick up the responsibility.

So what, if any, is the future role of commercial journalism? Frankly I would guess that the direct source of much of today’s reporting is citizen journalism.  In fact many world events are tweeted first.

Is it any surprise that everywhere people are being seen taking action into their own hands whether it is on the roof of the Houses of Parliament in the UK or in the corridors in Ottawa. No longer can one rely on the press taking matters up on our behalf. Just like Citizen Journalism, one must expect to see an increase in activism. Unless the press is actively seen to be the representative of the person in the street and they re-establish themselves as an essential player they really are doomed. Here in Canada I watch with interest the new CBC news, which supposedly is an example of re-invention – or is it?