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Opinion | Features
Whose views skew the news? Media chiefs ready to vote out Labor, while reporters lean left
Most journalists lean left-of-centre, says Folker Hanusch of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in a post first published on The Conversation.Most Australian journalists describe themselves as left-wing, yet amongst those who wield the real power in the country’s newsrooms, the Coalition holds a winning lead.
But while the media’s political leanings will no doubt be debated in the lead-up to September’s federal election, our study has also found other largely unscrutinised biases remain – particularly whose views disproportionately shape the news.
It's time for a new New Wave in the film world
Government funding bodies are lazy and decadent, says industry veteran Michael Thornhill but in a piece that first appeared in Encore, Ed Gibbs begs to differ.I vividly remember the time I first saw Animal Kingdom, David Michod’s breathtaking labour-of-love feature debut. The press screening was half empty, despite the film winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance just months earlier, in 2010. Yet its superb performances, stylistic flourishes and overall polish left me speechless. Could this really be a feature debut, an Australian one at that, I wondered, almost out loud? It seemed too good to be true.
Going cold turkey on an agency addiction
Life is sweet for freelance writer Max Kitchen, but in a feature that first appeared in Encore, he admits his struggle against returning to the agency fold.I’ve never taken heroin. But I suspect if I had, the temptation to try it again would not be too dissimilar to the lure of returning to agency life.
Can sport save Ten?
First there was the Grand Prix. Next came the reported $500m bid for cricket rights, then Ten secured the 2014 winter Olympics. So, can sport save the ailing network? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen investigates.The television sports rights bidding process is a bit like a game of poker.
Check, fold or bet. Those were the options for the Ten Network last week when it had to finalise its bid for the cricket rights.
Andy Lark: good for the marketing of marketing
I can still remember the first story I wrote about Andy Lark, when it emerged that he was to be the new chief marketing officer of CommBank.
It was immediately clear that Australia was about to meet an interesting marketer, one who blogged and tweeted and thanks to his time at Dell in the US was digitally savvy. Even two years ago, that was a big deal. The fact that he also had a stint in public relations gave him an absolutely intriguing background before he even arrived.
Storming the media barricades - advice for young journalists
This week Mumbrella’s Nic Christensen, who began his career four years ago, gave the keynote address to would-be journalists at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance’s Student Day. This is an edited version of his speech.Good afternoon, I can remember distinctly the last time I was in this room.
It was 2009 and I was sitting where you are. I’d come to this event, a friend and myself — from memory we sat up the back — and I can remember at the time wondering if I’d ever get a job as a journalist.
It was only four years ago and then as now getting a job was ultra competitive but I’m not sure there was quite as much media ‘doom and gloom’ as there is now…
Paywalls will help fund campaigning journalism
In this guest post, News Limited’s group editorial director Campbell Reid responds to the views of ninemsn’s Hal Crawford that the company’s push into metered paywalls is about data rather than dollars.Hal Crawford is both right and wrong in his article which argued that our digital subscription plans are all about the data.
Fake it 'til you make it... as a features editor
Cosmo’s Kate Leaver tells us how to bluff it in her job in a feature that first appeared in Encore.What do you do, as a features editor?
Really, play with words and ideas all day. At any one time, we’re working across three issues of the mag – getting one on its way to the printers, pooling all the words together for another, and planning the issue after that. It’s busy but it’s a pretty magnificent process.
Savage counsel - JFDI
Hi Chris,I run a medium-sized agency that is doing pretty well. As the leader, I am finding my workload just seems to go up and up. I am struggling to stay motivated and particularly to tackle the bigger and tougher challenges I have to face every day. How do I keep up the energy when there just seems so much to do? How do you do it?
Productive, successful executives are those able to consistently tackle difficult and big challenges. It’s a constant struggle for me so I know how you feel. How do the successful leaders do it?
Q&A with Brett Clegg
Brett Clegg, group director – business media, Fairfax Media, in a Q&A that first appeared in Encore, on the journo who refuses to work with him – his wife.Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
Hard to go past Rupert Murdoch. He controls the single largest and most diverse portfolio and is intent on leveraging its scale (and, of course, influence). He’s an innovator and his will to win is obvious to all.
The experiential experience
Anyone can throw up a tent in a high-traffic area and harass the general public, but what does it take to pull off an effective experiential event? In a piece that first appeared in Encore, Matt Smith investigates.A television commercial can easily be muted and ignored, but try ignoring a purring, squirming cat in your arms. That was the experience awaiting passers by in Sydney’s Martin Place in October last year when Mars Petcare built Whiskas Kitten Palace.
The News Limited paywall isn't about revenue. It's about data
In this guest post, ninemsn’s editor in chief Hal Crawford argues Fairfax Media and News Limited’s new paywalls won’t draw much revenue, but will generate data. And they’re late to the data party.When I first learned that ninemsn’s major digital competitors Fairfax and News Ltd were going to introduce paywalls across their mainstream properties, I was excited.
Every obstacle thrown in the way of their audiences is an opportunity. People hate friction and anything that makes life difficult on a rival site is a chance to get them on yours.
Is this the worst time to be a journalist?
With scores of redundancies in 2012 and a mass exodus of experienced journos, is this the worst time to be a journalist? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen asks the question.In June last year a tsunami of redundancies began to sweep across Australia’s media landscape. They came in a series of waves and in the 12 months that followed, an estimated 1,200 journalists departed the mainstream media.
Are you a conscious leader?
As the advertising and marketing industry struggles to address the issue of rocketing rates of staff churn in their businesses, Slingshot CEO Simon Rutherford argues that today’s ‘conscious leaders’ should be more focussed on creating ‘staff wellness’ in order to deliver high performing teams and healthy profits.
A conscious leader believes the business has a greater responsibility towards the community it operates in. To ensure sustainable long-term profits, people must come first. Awareness, trust, authenticity, transparency, 100% responsibility, connection, compassion, and love: these are the tools of the conscious leader.
Suits: less popular than pest controllers
Advertising suits have a thankless job that is currently being eroded by the changing industry says Naren Sanghrajka in a piece that first appeared in Encore.Not in my wildest, craziest nightmares would I ever have thought I’d say this. But I’m going to. Being a bean counter is far more appealing than starting as a suit in advertising. There it is. I said it. I actually said those words.
Yes, it’s incredibly depressing. But it’s true.
The Chaser’s alternative wedding coverage pulled by the ABC
The ABC has been forced to cancel Friday night’s alternative coverage of the Royal Wedding by The Chaser on ABC2 after a ruling from the office of the Royal Family.
According to the announcement from the ABC, conditions of its use of live footage of the wedding were tightened up over the Easter break, including a ban on the use of the material for the purposes of satire or comedy.
The ABC’s original plan was to feature The Chaser’s commentary on ABC2 while rebroadcasting the BBC’s coverage on ABC1
Instead, the approved commentary will go ahead on ABC1, while ABC2 will switched to a royal wedding themed night including:
- 7-7.30pm Spicks and Specks Britannia Special
- 7.30-8.30pm Royle Family Xmas special 2008
- 8.30-10.30pm The Chaser’s War on Everything
According to the ABC:
“ABC TV has reluctantly cancelled its widely promoted program The Chaser’s Royal Wedding Commentary because restrictions imposed over Easter, make it impossible to deliver its planned ABC2 live coverage of the event. ABC TV had initially been advised by the BBC and subsequently by the news agency Associated Press Television News (APTN) there were no coverage restrictions that would prevent The Chaser‟s wedding commentary.
“However, the conditions of use issued by APTN over the Easter break state that footage cannot be used ‘in any drama, comedy, satirical or similar entertainment program or content.’
“The APTN advisory said the restrictions on the coverage of the wedding ceremony from Westminster Abbey had been agreed between Clarence House, the private office of the Prince of Wales and the BBC.”
Kim Dalton, director of ABC TV, said: “We‟re surprised and disappointed at this very late stage to be informed that any satirical or comedic treatment of the marriage of Australia’s future Head of State has been banned. As late as this morning the BBC issued a new contract imposing additional restrictions on the use of its material.
“ABC TV had always planned to take the BBC‟s full coverage with commentary on ABC1. However like other broadcasters we thought Australians would appreciate an alternative take on this major event.”
Dalton suggested that Nine and Ten’s plans might also be affected. He said: “The Nine Network has Dame Edna giving her commentary and the Ten Network has the 7PM Project taking a light-hearted approach to the Royal Wedding. Our obvious choice, for a light-hearted commentary is The Chaser team. Clearly, the BBC and Clarence House have decided The Chaser aren’t acceptable.”
However, Nine and Ten both told Mumbrella that the ABC’s probelms had not changed their plans.
A spokesman for Ten said: “We’re proceeding with our wedding programming as planned. While certainly light hearted our coverage will be respectful. Respected British journo Lucy McDonald will be joining Fitzy and Wippa in commentary duties.”
And Nine’s Mark Calvert, director of news and current affairs, said in a statement: “There’s nothing in the restrictions which will alter our coverage. Dame Edna will be with us before and after the ceremony. But during the actual nuptials, she’ll be dashing to the Abbey to take her seat as a guest of the happy couple. Dame Edna is Australian royalty, so we’re honoured that she’s agreed to juggle her commitment to the Windsors with her love of Channel Nine.”
The axing of the Chaser wedding is the second time the ABC has taken The Chaser off the air. The Chaser’s War On Everything was suspended for two episodes in 2009 after its infamous dying kids sketch.
In the ABC’s statement, The Chaser‟s Chris Taylor said: “We’ve been taken off air before but never by the Queen herself. It’s an honour.”
And The Chaser’s Julian Morrow added: “The Chaser team accepts that the ABC has been put in an impossible position by people acting on behalf of the Royal Family. For a monarchy to be issuing decrees about how the media should cover them seems quite out of keeping with modern democratic times …. but I suppose that’s exactly what the monarchy is.
“It’s traditional for the condemned to appeal to the Monarch for a stay of execution, so that’s what we’re going to do. Unfortunately, it’s also traditional for people who appeal for clemency to be executed.”
The Chaser also published a letter to the Queen aimed at persuading her to change her mind:
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Comments
27 Apr 11
5:01 pm
Weak
27 Apr 11
5:03 pm
Ripped off – this was going to be the only thing worth watching on Friday!
27 Apr 11
5:10 pm
soooooo, do it Roy & HG State of Origin style with a radio broadcast alternative commentary, yes??? The ABC has such resources available.
27 Apr 11
5:11 pm
That’s IT!
Bring on the republic. . .
27 Apr 11
5:29 pm
If the ABC were smart they would drop the Wedding and keep the chaser taking the piss of it!
27 Apr 11
5:33 pm
We are nt amused. Off with their heads!
27 Apr 11
5:40 pm
Glen’s right – and if there are no radio stations free then an alternate internet audio only feed could do the trick… who knows – the Chaser boys could go global!
27 Apr 11
5:52 pm
Can they do a live stream feed to the internet instead? This is so very depressing, dare I say, unAustralian? VOTE REPUBLIC!
27 Apr 11
6:02 pm
Oh no! I was looking forward to watching this
27 Apr 11
6:04 pm
The only commentary I was looking forward to,
ps loved Julian filling in on the morning show on radio national
27 Apr 11
7:03 pm
No more royal wedding for me.
27 Apr 11
7:21 pm
Now what to do on Friday?
27 Apr 11
7:38 pm
Appaling. Just another reason to get rid of those anti-fun facists.
27 Apr 11
7:52 pm
CENSORSHIP, pure and simple. And who said that Australia is a democracy?
27 Apr 11
8:26 pm
Julia Gillard needs to intervene. Whether you like the Chaser or not, freedom of the press is vitally important to democracy. The British royals have no right to interfere with our freedoms. What are they going to try next? Ban all media from reporting any negative story about the Royals – No Fergie stories? No Prince Phillip stories? No Harry stories?
27 Apr 11
8:53 pm
I for one welcome our new royal… Oh, right, never mind….
27 Apr 11
9:55 pm
The Chaser was my only reason to live through the wedding.
27 Apr 11
10:32 pm
I think channel 10 is fairly safe. Claiming fitzy and watzit as comedy is a bit of a stretch.
28 Apr 11
9:12 am
I say good. These guys lost me the day they ripped on sick and dying kids. Personally I’d be happy if they’d all just go away, forever. They stopped being funny many, many years ago. As for what do do on Friday? Just do what you always do and hit the boozer, surely.
28 Apr 11
9:21 am
Chaser? So yesterday. You’re seriously lacking fun in you’re life if you were looking forward to this. It won’t be missed by anyone living in 2011 that’s for sure.
28 Apr 11
9:37 am
This has got digital radio or JJJ written all over it. They should just do it like @glen mentioned… Roy and HG style….
28 Apr 11
11:27 am
The Chaser men’s – why does everyone insist on calling them boys? – time has come and gone. They are much too pleased with themselves for their own good. Cheap shots at easy targets is all they have ever been about – and that’s boring. What were they going to do this time? More Prince Phil and corgi jokes? Snore … Dame Edna is supposedly doing some wedding commentary along the way but she at least has a style that goes way over the heads of these never-beens. And Lou … Julian Morrow had no idea on Radio National breakfast. That’s strange as he should have fitted right in – it’s a fun free zone, just like mundane Morrow’s so called comedy.
28 Apr 11
1:19 pm
get over yourself, ZumaBeach. Read the comments here… there are many people who still enjoy the Chaser- Yes We Canberra was hilarious, and this was going to be the only enkoyable part about the entire vomitfest that is this royal wedding.
The 7mate advertising “There shall be ABSOLUTELY NO WEDDING FOOTAGE” is gold… only family guy and simpsons- the last bastion of not having to bludgeon myself to death this friday night…
28 Apr 11
2:19 pm
Bet David Flint rang the palace……..
28 Apr 11
4:10 pm
Chaser Boys being dumped from broadcasting the royal wedding?
It’ll never happen…. or will it?
28 Apr 11
4:15 pm
The football is on 7.
28 Apr 11
4:36 pm
Such a damn shame, like many people (excluding some on here obviously) I was really looking forward to this.
Not sure we can stretch the argument to being about democracy etc though. They have been denied the rights to do this by the rights holders just like any rights holders could choose to do, (Channel 7 for AFL footy, Nine for the Rugby league, Channel Ten for…well after this year they wont have the rights for anything).
But agree with other comments that this could be gotten around by simulcast on Radio or Internet. Now if THAT was banned, then THAT would be a denial of democracy, and that is not the case.
28 Apr 11
4:43 pm
Maybe if The Chaser had a demonstrated history of showing some kindness towards their subjects they would not find themselves in this position.
It’s a wedding after all and who on earth would want a group of self-righteous pranksters who make jokes about dying children and try to ridicule hard working people trying to do their job (like the APEC Security team) having anything to do with their wedding day.
Whether it was intentional or not, the tone of The Chasers proposed program was always threatening and therefore fairly perceived as potentially damaging. I think they are getting what they deserve.
They have hurt and upset a lot of people in the past and probably need this as a check up to remind them that the best and funniest jokes are never at the expense of someone else (especially when they are busy trying to celebrate what is meant to be one of the the happiest days of their life).
Maybe The Chasers will start to show a little bit of heart in future.
28 Apr 11
5:32 pm
There’s a Royal Wedding happening?
When?
28 Apr 11
8:22 pm
What else is on tv at that time? Any live sporting events? (Anywhere in the world?) Perhaps re name the show to:
‘Various live sports and current affairs from around the world’
Do spontaneous commentary on various live sporting events with breaking news as it happens and also have audio updates from the wedding…? Perhaps with puppets..?
Also get the public to call in if they have pets named Will or Kate and get a tally up on the screen…
Perhaps the Chaser crew could ‘bomb’ some royal wedding parties live. Wind up some royalists and create some fun.
There is loads that they can do in this TV slot!!!!
I would watch it(.)
It would be fun to write for their show…
28 Apr 11
10:14 pm
The best comment is No. 2.
I agree 100%.
In fact, if Studio 360 will provide the microphones, and we can get the Chaser boys in to do it, I’ll fund the webstream….
28 Apr 11
10:24 pm
We will watch the BBC feed on silent, and you hijack a radio station. Don’t lie down and let them rob us of our rights. This is an important democratic issue.
28 Apr 11
11:31 pm
Surely we can *all* write to our head of state begging a reprieve?
Bring on the Republic.
28 Apr 11
11:33 pm
Well whatever you think of them, Juliam Morrow’s comment
“For a monarchy to be issuing decrees about how the media should cover them seems quite out of keeping with modern democratic times …. but I suppose that’s exactly what the monarchy is.”
was pretty clever.
29 Apr 11
11:20 am
My personal opp: These 2 idiots have no place at in Royal affairs. END.
29 Apr 11
1:12 pm
Your just bitter you lost the little urn aren’t you?!
29 Apr 11
2:03 pm
bring on the republic!
29 Apr 11
5:46 pm
Who’s getting married again?
30 Apr 11
6:33 am
The Brits aren’t allowed to do a Chaser type programme either.
So you cant really make a special case for Australia. Eheu!
30 Apr 11
11:44 am
Personally I’m glad they didn’t do it. I cannot imagine that it would be in anyway amusing or risque. Let’s be honest, they’re not exactly Chris Morris are they…
I would rather watch the ridiculous wedding than their very poor imitation of the master…but without the humour, subversion or the ferocity.
2 May 11
9:04 pm
I will be upfront; I am a Pom.
Is it just me or do Aussies not understand Satire..?
(Yes I know! – The Pom’s pulled it, however so many chaser haters – I bet they are the 7, 9 and 10 lovers, who listen to talk back radio. In the US they would be known as, erm, republicans…
3 May 11
2:42 pm
I’ll be honest…I’m a POM too!
Barmy Army! ….wahey!