Brave New Media World
The landscape of media consumption is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rise of social media and the internet.
Film star Natalie Portman was recently reported as saying that in the age of social media and influencers, the younger generation cannot name any movie stars, but can name YouTube stars. This recognises the democratisation of creativity facilitated by social media. The gatekeepers, in this case the movie studios, are being ignored. This generation will now be watching more independent movies, having not been influenced by studio marketing. In the same way the influence of the media gatekeepers and the six o’ clock news is now disappearing with the demise of Newshub and a declining TVNZ influence.
The democratisation and fragmentation of media is not the “threat-to democracy” that redundant THREE journalists theorise. However, the barbarians are, literally, at the gate, and the gatekeepers are nervous about their loss of control and the opening up of diverse opinion that will be accessed through independent channels, platforms, blogs, podcasts, and newly established news websites.
Hallelujah! The cancel culture, government-led, media transmitted propaganda is coming to an end and a brave new world of media is replacing it.
“The media have much more power than most people would like to think,” said ex US President, Richard Nixon in 1983, “When we think of the media in this country, the problem is that they have a sense of self-righteousness, a double standard on issue after issue after issue. They can find everything wrong with somebody else, but they will not look inside and ever admit that they could be wrong themselves.”
Perhaps he should have said it a year later, 1984 being the title of the George Orwell book that told us: “We can only spread our knowledge outwards from individual to individual, generation after generation. In the face of the Thought Police there is no other way.”
This shift in power has its advantages. With the decline of gatekeepers, individuals have more freedom to express and consume content that aligns with their interests and perspectives. This creates a richer tapestry of voices and viewpoints, leading to a potentially more informed and diverse society.
As Orwell wrote in Freedom of the Park: ““The degree of freedom of the press existing in this country is often over-rated. Technically there is great freedom, but the fact that most of the press is owned by a few people operates in much the same way as State censorship. On the other hand, freedom of speech is real. On a platform, or in certain recognised open-air spaces like Hyde Park, you can say almost anything, and what is perhaps more significant, no one is frightened to utter his true opinions.”
The Platform, Newsroom, Spinoff, and other recent start-ups are likely to gain audiences as are the multitude of YouTube and Spotify podcaster, of both local and global origin. X (Twitter) is already the go to site for breaking news. There is the potential for online media to foster greater transparency and accountability, particularly with the return of long-form interviews that challenge the shallowness of recent media click-bait journalism. A Michael Laws or Sean Plunket 20-minute interview with opinion-makers is far more valuable than a series of 10 second, superficial, Three or One News soundbites with a street accosted no-nothing, or the opinions of recently graduated journalists.
Better still on the international news front is the ability to gain a wide range of viewpoints from international news sites and podcaster downloaded and live on YouTube.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge the challenges associated with this democratisation. The abundance of information can be overwhelming, and the lack of established editorial control can lead to the spread of misinformation and harmful content. Social media algorithms, while designed to personalise information feeds, can create echo chambers where individuals are only exposed to viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs, hindering critical thinking and open discourse.
Furthermore, the claim that traditional gatekeepers are entirely redundant needs careful consideration. Studios play a crucial role in financing and producing high-quality content, while reputable news organisations provide vetted and reliable information, contributing to a healthy media ecosystem.
The democratisation of media through social media presents a complex and multifaceted landscape. While it offers exciting opportunities for diverse voices and independent creation, it's crucial to remain vigilant against the potential pitfalls of misinformation and echo chambers. Ultimately, navigating this new media landscape requires critical thinking, responsible consumption of information, and engagement in thoughtful discussions to ensure a balanced and enriching media environment for all.
Independent news platforms in New Zealand include The Platform, New Zealand’s independent digital media site, offering unfiltered opinions and long-form interviews; and Independent Media New Zealand, A leading media agency that covers various traditional and new-age media platforms.
Newsroom is a respected digital news platform that focuses on investigative journalism, in-depth analysis, and thought-provoking articles. They cover a wide range of topics, from politics and business to culture and the environment. Their commitment to quality reporting has earned them a loyal readership.
The Spinoff is a dynamic New Zealand site that covers pop culture, politics, and social life. They offer features, criticism, interviews, videos, and podcasts. Their content is engaging, diverse, and often thought-provoking.
BusinessDesk provides breaking news and commentary on business, the NZX stock exchange, and politics. Their expert journalism and opinion pieces keep readers informed about economic developments, market trends, and political affairs.
While Media Meditations is not as widely known as the others, it’s a valuable resource for media analysis and reflections. They explore media trends, ethics, and the changing landscape of journalism in New Zealand.
The Kākā is a Substack publication by Bernard Hickey, a well-known journalist and commentator. It focuses on public interest journalism related to New Zealand’s housing, climate, and poverty crises. Bernard covers topics such as the political economy, the housing market, and more. The newsletter includes articles, podcasts, and emails, along with special ‘hoon’ webinar events.
Democracy Project is an initiative that aims to foster discussions and promote understanding of democratic principles in New Zealand. It explores topics related to governance, civic engagement, and democratic processes. The project encourages informed citizen participation and critical thinking.
The Bulletin is an independent news platform that provides concise daily news summaries. It covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, and social issues. The Bulletin aims to keep readers informed with brief, relevant updates.
StopPress covers a wide range of topics, including advertising, marketing, and media. They provide exclusive insights, investigative reporting, and detailed analysis on matters impacting the advertising industry in New Zealand. StopPress keeps track of industry movements, including new hires, agency appointments, and talent acquisitions.
Marketing Meditations, authored by yours truly, is a thought-provoking Substack publication that delves into the New Zealand marketing, advertising, and media scene. Some of the recent musings from Marketing Meditations include How the demise of Newshub is bad for marketers; Addressing unreliable research; The online shopping battlefield, portrayed as a David vs. Goliaths battleground.
Remember to explore Marketing Meditations for more daily insights and reflections on the ever-evolving New Zealand marketing, advertising, and media landscape!
Read more:
Death of Newshub Bad News for Marketers: https://grahammedcalf.substack.com/p/death-of-newshub-bad-news-for-marketers
Legacy Media’s Fight for Relevance: https://grahammedcalf.substack.com/p/legacy-medias-fight-for-relevance
Beyond the Binge: https://grahammedcalf.substack.com/p/beyond-the-binge
The Rise of User-Generated Content: https://grahammedcalf.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-user-generated-content