Current trends in journalism

My media notebook in today's Maltastar is dedicated to a seminar dealing with current trends in journalism that I am presently attending. The 1st Euro Med Journalism Institute, with participants from 25 countries in the region, is convened by the Greek Association for Atlantic & European Co-operation and the Fund for American Studies and was launched today in Andros, an island of the Greek archipelago, the most northerly of the Cyclades. Andros is half the size of Malta with a population of around 5000.

The seminar leader is Professor Rachel Yould, the editor- in-chief of the Oxford International Review, an influential publication run by scholars based at Oxford University. She is the author of “Beyond the American Fortress: Understanding Homeland Security in the Information Age” and, as a journalist, covered conflicts in Asia for USA Today and San Francisco Chronicle. The following notes are based on the proceedings of the seminar’s opening session moderated this morning by Professor Yould:

- There are four things that make a free press – a) representing the market place of ideas present in society. b) The ability of journalists not just to convey information but also to put things into context. c) Holding those in power accountable. d) Being rigorous about ethics.

- Journalists need to understand what makes an impact on the public and make sure that the audience is equipped to critically digest what is reported. Over-simplification should be avoided whenever possible.

- In terms of access to information, journalists should gang together against those who want to suppress information. The level of accountability decreases when there is a high level of suppression of information.

- A writer can never be completely objective but should always strive for balance enabling readers to make up their own mind. It is not always easy to distinguish between presenting opinions and the reporting of facts. Still, there is a recognisable ‘magic wall’ between reporting and pure commentary.

- Some ‘sources’ used by journalists may have their own agenda creating rumours and benefiting from them. Journalists should reveal the process and be transparent about the type of sources used allowing readers the opportunity to interpret the information presented.

- The legal implications may vary between countries but it is not ethical to record conversations without prior notice. The press wants to be trusted and practitioners should say in the beginning when they are recording a phone call.

- Journalists should not just be driven by events and actions without looking what is behind them. People need to know what stories are out there and what the alternative viewpoints to them are.

- Blogs and the new media have revolutionised the world of journalism allowing higher public participation in the dissemination of news contributing to more open societies in the process.

- Having only propaganda viewpoints expressed in a politically polarised society does not necessarily constitute a free press.

The 1st Euro Med Journalism Institute is also being attended by the following Maltese participants who are sponsored by the Malta Institute of Journalists: Darren Zammit Lupi (The Times), Julia Farrugia (ONE News) and Anthony Gatt (ONE News).