Gday, On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 9:52 AM, Peter Ross <Peter.Ross@bogen.in-berlin.de> wrote:
"Australia has unwittingly become a social experiment. A ruthless experiment on the fate of a society when a single media conglomerate, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, owns 167 newspapers and controls around 70% of the printed media market."
Could not agree more. The early (real) labour governments (Hawke/Keating) placed rules on cross ownership which prevented such things happening. Changing that was one of the Howard governments first steps in office. I believe history will show that it was one of his gravest errors.
"She is also asking for the right to make significant editorial decisions such as the ability to hire and fire editors."
Which will turn The Age into a mining newsletter. poo...who wants to read that.
.. we have actually the choice to read Murdoch's "News" or Rinehart's.
That's it. If you put it in "party terms" 100% Liberal supporters (with a touch of One Nation in it, see Bolt & Co).
Well I will have to disagree there. These idiots believe that their brand will hold value in an on line only digital world. I see opportunity ahead. A golden age of Journalism born of the democratisation that is the Internet. All those experienced editorial staff that are about to lose their jobs have skills and their employers sacking them should (hopefully) fuel passion. I reckon this will be a perfect time for some start up action. In a place where the main stream just can not go. A start up doesn't have to hold on to their profitability like the incumbents do. Starting a news site in competition with an on line only Age would not cost much. All that would be need is good content born of good journos. A dumped Fairfax Journo would have great opportunity ahead. (Have to wonder out loud if their redundancies would come with a hold down clause that prevented them from doing something else in the same space.....???? eg: If we pay you twice what you are entitled to, then you have to sign a document that prevents you from writing news stories for the next 30 years.....)
I wonder whether there is any concern and opposition amongst Australians related to that here? Do you all consider it as normal to live in a gold rush were few get mega-rich and buying up the society?
Only if we let it. Most unfortunately, our political leaders have turned this into a class debate....playing the person instead of the ball. Swans nonsensical statements on these matters have only added fuel to their fire. We need another head kicking, focussed , Paul Keating....:-) IMHO I reckon that the current/prospective owners have deluded themselves and we (the populace) need to keep a handle on the realities in our society. I am certain that the spending and current restructuring will be for nought. I'll bet my house that several new Online only news brands will emerge very quickly in the next few months. Some may fail, but in the end... Fairfax and News are doomed ! Their current moves are meant to placate the markets and try and show that they are able to remain relevant. Rgds BW