comment, 11 April 2013
Journalism in the UK is in crisis. As well as being ethically shredded by Leveson, its economic base is crumbling. Public trust in journalists is at a historic low, and skilled hacks are fleeing the profession to earn their crusts elsewhere.
In the belief that any decent democracy needs serious, fact-based, investigative journalism, there are many good people worrying about the problem and trying to come up with creative solutions. But, as yet, the answer is far from clear.
One thing, though, has become clear to me. Part of the answer to re-establishing trust in journalists is for us to become much more open and honest in what we do. This means, for example, providing access to information sources, including leaked documents, as often as possible so that readers can make their own judgements.
It also means being much more transparent about our influences, our income and our expenses. This was argued strongly by The Guardian columnist, George Monbiot, who has been posting his financial details online since 2011. He has been followed in Scotland by the writer and land reform campaigner, Andy Wightman; the author and ecology activist, Alastair McIntosh; and the former BBC journalist, David Eyre.
Belatedly, I am now joining them. I have made my first declaration of interests here on my profile page. Comments welcome.
This was reported by allmediascotland.
How much of a democracy we actually have is questionable.... And also, journalism in some ways has become negatively glamorised.
Posted by: Derick - London Accountant | 09 May 2013 at 03:34 PM