Media of me: 13 theses
Stephen Waddington
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Stephen Waddington
Professional advisor and researcher supporting agencies and in-house teams across a range of management, corporate communications and public relations issues
Thinking out loud about the future of media.
I’ve attended a couple of events this week about the future of media. I don’t have any answers but I do have lots of food for thought.
Here’s what I’m thinking.
- Social media democratises conversation. We all have an equal voice. That’s a good thing.
- But its polarising, rather improving, public discourse. That isn’t helpful in a democracy.
- Algorithms restrain and limit our media consumption. This too is unhealthy. Reading widely is critical to being informed.
- My opinion is equal to your fact. This needs to be fixed urgently. I’ve no answers although media education may help.
- But all opinions can and should be heard. It’s that issue of democracy again.
- Fact and fiction travel at equal speeds around a network. We need tools and better media education to counter fake news.
- There are a diminishing number of journalists and media that call power to account.
- Abusive or threatening language should never be tolerated in any media.
- Platforms are publishers. They need to take responsibility for ads and editorial content.
- If you want to buy my attention I need to understand how, who you are, and why.
- The media ecosystem is complex and messy. It’s very much a work in progress.
- The declining number and quality of local media has created an opportunity for owned and shared media as a means of communicating with publics.
- Communities, owned media, and sources of record, are the most trusted forms of media, for now.
This article was originally posted on my blog.
Communication and Stakeholder Specialist
7 年Good points especially 3, 6 & 8. We need to ensure we promote rigorous critical analysis and challenge.
Director - Sidekick PR, Associate Lecturer - Sheffield Hallam University , Trustee - Grimm & Co, Research student - Leeds Beckett University
7 年Really interesting thoughts here, points 8 and 9 are a must!
MD PR agency Unhooked Communications
7 年Great points - especially 3, 4, 5 and 6. We're at a real tipping point in terms of fact vs opinion and fact vs fiction (although I worry we may have already tipped the wrong way...). Everyone involved in media and communications is responsible for making sure we resolve any issues asap. The fact that there are fewer journalists delivering news doesn't help either - we need trained media and comms professionals more than ever.
Well worded Stephen. We have to hang on to our democratic rights!
Shopkeeper.
7 年Can you name me at least THREE media that call power to account? I do not think that's what media does but I'm interested to clarify my understanding of your point. ("There are a diminishing number of journalists and media that call power to account")