There are smart people at News Limited. Some of them seem to have been given, if not their heads, then at least some slack in the reins.
Future of journalism
Simons: media inquiry can work if politicians keep hands off content
As with so much this government does, there is still plenty of room for messing up on the planned, kind-of-but-not-quite-announced media inquiry.
Innovation in journalism: an example of how to do it — profitably
This is the first episode in a regular Monday series of articles I have been promising to write for some time. It is about innovation in journalism. That is, it is about how we might innovate in the core product of news organisations. It is intended as a counter to what I have been describing […]
The cultural revolution was online in 2010
The most important arts and “cultural” events of 2010 happened online, writes Ben Eltham, in his final My Cup of Tea column for the year.
Mark Scott: Journalism’s Golden Era
Lots of journos like to harp on about the old days of journalism, when deadlines were few and money was plentiful. But, says ABC managing director Mark Scott, journalism today is a more democratic, in-depth and thrilling affair than the days of yore.
Beecher: dark side of journalism getting a foothold
To what extent should a journalist be prepared to compromise ethical standards in pursuit of a story?
The complexities of funding quality journalism
At the New News 2010 Conference last week finance journo Alan Kohler and head of ninemsn Andrew Hunter spoke about media advertising models and the role of citizen journalism, discussing the ins and outs of funding quality reportage and commentary.
News journalism and the rise of the app
The business model of mainstream journalism failed to capitalize on the rise of the internet, but now the advent of smartphone and tablet PC apps may be giving the industry a second chance - but you wouldn’t want to bet on it, writes Adrian Monck.
Corporate power speaks louder than communities in our journalism
If the Walkley Foundation were in such dire straits that it was forced to accept money from controversial sponsor Exxon Mobil for this week’s conference, couldn’t it have been better spent? Subsided student entrance perhaps, suggest journalism students Elise Dalley and Ben O’Halloran.
Crikey Says: WikiLeaks asks for a little help
If the latest revelations are to impact the campaign it will be all Laurie Oakes’ fault. That’s the thing about a leaker — they’re pretty powerless without a good leakee.
Getting sourcey: time to apply ethical standards to ‘bad’ journalism
Many journalists lean too heavily on PR. Surely the excitement of using your own brain to uncover fresh information is the right reason to work in the industry, right?
The death of Forbes?
Forbes.com faces a difficult balance between quality content and appealing to the lowest common dominator for ad money. But its move to have thousands of new unpaid contributors will kill all credibility, says Paul Carr.
Holmes: Where’s the break in the 24 hour news cycle?
Yes, perhaps the ABC doesn’t break as many stories as it should, writes Jonathan Holmes. But with journalists working 24/7 on radio, TV and online, there’s little time for independent research.
iPad the newspaper saviour? Nah, it’s just a fun diversion
The hype around the iPad as the savior of newspapers is fun — but it’s wrong. But iPad newspaper apps make a fascinating diversion from the real, continuing dilemma for publishers, writes Tony Faure.
ABC gets into bed with Fairfax … and news is the winner
Once, journalists guarded their stories fiercely, and the idea of competing with another media outlet, let alone doing a joint operation, would have been anathema. Things have changed.
How Twitter has transformed political journalism
The Independent on Sunday’s chief political commentator John Rentoul enthuses about the “joy” of Twitter. More than a social network, more than breaking news and a great way to learn about Welsh Jelly Mini-Cups regulations.
Are deskchair wine critics just taking the piss?
The internet has taken wine criticism and commentary out of the hands of the wine snob elite and provided an opened it to anyone with a cask and an opinion. But is wine actually a serious science, best left to the experts?
Who wants to be an unemployed journalist?
Newsrooms are getting smaller and smaller, yet the number of young people studying journalism is growing larger and larger. So why are the yoof so keen to enter such a crowded market?
The death of the headline
Forget witty puns and waggish turns of phrase — online news headlines are now written with only one thing in mind: search engine optimisation. David Carr mourns the death of the smart screamer.
must read 
How Google will save the news
The media moguls may be pining the murder of the news industry on Google, but they couldn’t have it more wrong, says James Fallows: the search giant is actually working overtime to come up with strategies to save it. Read what the big G has in store for the future of the media.
Nigeria’s Next: a paper that can’t afford to die
New Nigerian newspaper Next made its mark earlier this year by daring to reveal that the country’s president was brain dead, and has been under heavy government attack ever since. Now it can’t afford to stay open — but can Nigeria afford for it to close?
must read Two paths for the future of text
Author Steven Berlin Johnson’s excellent take on how the great minds of the 17th and 18th century compiled their favourite passages of text, and what it means for journalism today.
Why Google style is now more important than AP style
The journalists of tomorrow will need to learn the correct writing style for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) more than they will need to learn the correct writing style to please sub-editors and grammar nazis, argues online journalist Robert Niles.
A magazine for stranded travellers
Journalist Andrew Losowsky is stuck in Dublin due to the volcano, and has put a call-out to fellow stranded journalists around the world: Let’s pass the time by creating a magazine.
40 reasons why you should avoid a career in journalism
It’s a pretty crappy time to be a journalist looking for a job in Australia, with Tim Burrowes finding a total of 40 jobs currently advertised. Which should be enough for, oh, maybe one journalism class due to graduate soon?
