A FASCINATING analysis of breaking news-story-via-leak and the regurgitation of words straight from the Source’s mouth is published on the website of ABC’s The Media Report
The issue has particular relevance in Tasmania in view of the recent demise of Minister Ken Bacon and earlier, one Richard Butler. Here are excerpts of the interview by The Report’s excellent host, Richard Aedy and Eminent Investigative Journalist Chris Masters:
Chris Masters: Well it’s varied. It could be that they introduce you to a story. It’s bit more likely that they will help you to check facts, help you to assay the truth. I think there is a concern that some journalists think sources are the story, that all journalism is, is getting a contact book full of really good sources who tip you off about great things and you just go out there and write them down. Well, it isn’t like that, nor should it be like that.
Richard Aedy: So are you saying that it’s more likely that other things are the story rather than the source? For example the document, the document’s always a killer thing, isn’t it?
Chris Masters: The document is extremely important. Sources are important too, but we shouldn’t be relying on a single source anyway for a story. Most journalism is about investigation, analysis, and writing it down, getting it right. And the source is part of that equation.
Richard Aedy: I would like to think that most journalism’s about investigation and analysis, but I think that less and less of it is actually about that, and that true investigative journalism is rarer and rarer, because of the cost of doing it.
Chris Masters: Yes. And this here again, is a good example of how easy it is for sources to set the agenda and manipulate the story. If we are structurally superficial, if we are going to be run by press releases, and a few good contacts here and there, well it’s much easier for them to set the agenda, and it is dangerous for journalists to form relationships with public relations people and informed sources in the ministry who will actually just simply — they know your schedules pretty well; they can organise circumstances so as to deliver information to you, and you just simply write it down. It seems like there’s a healthy synergy, but quite equally it could be unhealthy.
The full transcript of this fascinating analysis by one of Australia’s best journalists is at:
It’s who you know
Dave Groves
June 23, 2005 at 01:23
Speaking of reporting …
I must congratulate The Mercury for its top billing of the latest episode of the “Proposed Pulp Mill†fiasco. This massive project and the continuing debacle that surrounds it are covered well in your paper.
Obviously The Mercury is now the paper of choice for Northern Tasmania as any information on this project noted in The Examiner is buried deep in its pages. If you notice on the same day that The Mercury gives top billing to this huge issue, The Examiner gives the “pulp mill†a “see page 3â€, only to find it is really on page 5.
Still, this is the standard I have come to expect from this “BBQ starterâ€.
It is exciting waiting for each new scenario to unfold with players ducking, weaving and running for cover when yet another sneaky document comes to the surface.
This massive venture looks more like the Titanic at the moment.
Where’s Hollywood when you need it!
Peter
December 30, 2009 at 17:43
Offset by reafforestation !!