Trust me – I’m a news service!
Is it any wonder that many of us are so cynical about the way our leaders go about their business?
Regular readers would be well aware of my views on the media and how they use their power and influence in all the wrong ways. Well I now have proof that my views are not just mine alone. On the ABC’s Media Watch program last week, Paul Barry talked about the results from a Consumer Survey carried out by ACMA, the media watchdog. 2000 consumers were surveyed, and I’ll let the results speak for themselves – Generally speaking, the survey found respondents believed that journalism everywhere is biased and full of beatups, plus polluted opinion and commercial influence.
88% believe news is made more dramatic or sensational to attract more readers or viewers.
85% reckon news is reported from a particular point of view, rather than being balanced or impartial. News is often presented by celebrity commentators or sporting personalities. The line between news and advertising can now hardly be seen by consumers.
83% claim news is influenced by large advertisers.
77% say news bulletins contain commercial content – that’s commercial businesses paying to have their products or services featured in the news, but not disclosing this payment.
76% say media companies use their news to promote businesses they own or have a commercial interest in.
65% reckoned products or services were offered for free to be shown or promoted on the news. It is claimed journalists are no longer shown to be any more trustworthy than snake oil salesmen.
83% believed journalists do not take enough care to check their facts or report stories accurately.
Nightly TV bulletins and the ABC were praised as still being trustworthy by several respondents. The research shows the depth of concern among Australians about biased and commercial influence. The question was asked “So given it’s so bad, what is the regulator going to do about it?” Answer: “Not much! They can only enforce weak code of practice laws drawn up by the broadcasters.”
Can you believe it? I say again. Can you believe that with such damning data before them, that our pollies seem powerless or unwilling to reign the media in?
Many Australians hang on every thread of news we’re fed everyday and many no doubt shape their thinking or actions based on what we’re being told. News must surely provide more fodder for discussion across our Country every day than anything else, although weather would be right up there as well. It’s unbelievable to think that we could be wasting all this energy and time on stuff that simply can’t be fully trusted and probably has question marks all over it.
I’m flabbergasted!