Trustworthy or Trash?
Fake News
Last month the legendary New York Times changed a headline due to complaints by readers. Now this past weekend they published a report in their Opinion Pages without including a critical part of the story. The critical part was that the alleged victim of the story did not remember the alleged crime taking place...kind of an important part of the story. This lack of journalistic integrity has led to the often-used term, "Fake News". For years the tabloids seemed to have a different standard for honesty and the truth, but the general public accepted their sensationalism and didn't recognize them as trusted news sources.
Selling Newspapers vs. Selling Ideals
I understand the need to sell newspapers and the fact that the lifeblood of the tabloids is their sensational headlines, but the general public doesn't take them seriously. The New York Times, which used to be called The Old Gray Lady of American newspapers because of its stateliness, sense of responsibility and possession of high virtue, is another story. When they place a higher value on selling newspapers, pacifying their audience or pushing an agenda, they are no longer a news medium, but a vessel of propaganda.
Buying Media and The Long Run
The questions for media professionals are:
Should this change in media “news” affect their media buys?
If so, how?
Should there be a different value placed on “news” vs. opinion in news?
How does one determine this different value?
Has the credibility of news organizations like The New York Times eroded, and what effect does that have on media buys?
What are the long-term ramifications of this change in the news environment?
For answers to these and other questions, contact me @ jgagen@synerg.biz.