The Future of Journalism

 Part 1: Clay Shirky lecture

Go to the Nieman Lab webpage (part of Harvard university) and watch the video of Clay Shirky presenting to Harvard students. The video is also available on YouTube below but the Nieman Lab website has a written transcript of everything Shirky says. 



Play the clip AND read along with the transcript below to ensure you are following the argument. You need to watch from the beginning to 29.35 (the end of Shirky's presentation). Once you've watched and read the presentation and made notes (you may want to copy and paste key quotes from the transcript which is absolutely fine), answer the questions below:

1) Why does Clay Shirky argue that 'accountability journalism' is so important and what example does he give of this?

He says its the 'iron core of journalism' explaining how to consists of having three reporters dispatched for a long period on a story that may or may not pan out. The example he gives was between between the rise of the penny press and the end of the Second World War where ad-supported newspapers produced accountability journalism making it a  historic circumstance lasting for a decade.

2) What does Shirky say about the relationship between newspapers and advertisers? Which websites does he mention as having replaced major revenue-generators for newspapers (e.g. jobs, personal ads etc.)?

The relationship shows that newspapers traditionally relied on advertisers for revenue, but has changed in the digital age. Advertisers no longer need newspapers to reach their audiences because online platforms offer more direct and targeted advertising. He mentions websites like Craigslist, Monster, and eBay have taken over key revenue streams.

3) Shirky talks about the 'unbundling of content'. This means people are reading newspapers in a different way. How does he suggest audiences are consuming news stories in the digital age?

Shirky says how audiences no longer consume news as a whole package but instead, they access individual stories online through social media. This means readers can pick and choose articles from different sources rather than relying on a single newspaper for all their information.

4) Shirky also talks about the power of shareable media. How does he suggest the child abuse scandal with the Catholic Church may have been different if the internet had been widespread in 1992?

He suggests that if the internet had been widespread in 1992, the child abuse scandal involving the Catholic Church would have been uncovered differently. The ability to share information instantly and widely through social media, would have made it harder for institutions to control the narrative or suppress the story. Public outrage and pressure could have spread much faster, leading to earlier action.

5) Why does Shirky argue against paywalls? 

Shirky argues against paywalls because they limit access to information and reduce the ability of news stories to spread widely. He believes that in the digital age, news organizations should focus on engagement, sharing, and  accessibility rather than restricting content and access only through subscribers. Paywalls may work for niche audiences, but they hide journalism’s role in informing.

6) What is a 'social good'? In what way might journalism be a 'social good'?

It is something that benefits society, rather than just individuals. Journalism can be considered a social good because it informs the public, holds power, and supports democracy by providing reliable information. 

7) Shirky says newspapers are in terminal decline. How does he suggest we can replace the important role in society newspapers play? What is the short-term danger to this solution that he describes?

He says that newspapers are in terminal decline and cannot be saved in their traditional form. He suggests that the future of journalism will rely on a mix of professional and amateur reporting rather than a single dominant industry. However, he warns that the short-term danger is that these new models may take time to develop.

8) Look at the first question and answer regarding institutional power. Give us your own opinion: how important is it that major media brands such as the New York Times or the Guardian continue to stay in business and provide news?

I think, major media brands like The New York Times and The Guardian play a crucial role in maintaining journalistic standards, investigative reporting, and holding power. While digital platforms provide more diverse voices, they also spread misinformation. Established newspapers bring credibility and reliable journalism that independent reporting does. 

Part 2: MM55 - Media, Publics, Protest and Power

Media Magazine 55 has an excellent feature on power and the media. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM55 and scroll to page 38 to read the article Media, Publics, Protest and Power', a summary of Media academic Natalie Fenton’s talk to a previous Media Magazine conference. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the three overlapping fields that have an influence on the relationship between media and democracy?

The political field, the economic field and the journalistic field.

2) What is ‘churnalism’ and what issues are there currently in journalism?

Churnalism is the cut and paste action that fewer journalists do to fill space with less time. Traditional rigour of professional journalism is quickly cast aside due to commercials being prioritised.

3) What statistics are provided by Fenton to demonstrate the corporate dominance of a small number of conglomerates? 

There are Just three companies control 71% of UK national newspaper circulation while only five groups control more than 80% of combined online and offline news.

4) What is the 'climate of fear' that Fenton writes about in terms of politics and the media? 

Politicians are worried about their career due to negative publicity

5) Fenton finishes her article by discussing pluralism, the internet and power. What is your opinion on this crucial debate - has the internet empowered audiences and encouraged democracy or is power even more concentrated in the hands of a few corporate giants?

In his conclusion, he states his opinion on power and how in order to have influence we must find this media power and wield it. I believe one of this main power is social media and these platforms where people are able to access different sources, people, ideas and inspiration. The internet has given this empowerment to the audience to have their own opinions as active audience.