A few weeks ago Slice had the pleasure of meeting Eric Beecher, the 2007 Walkley Award winner for Journalistic Leadership. To find out why Eric received his award, watch take a peek at the award presentation here. You'll hear lots of references like 'risk taker', 'forefront of evolving media' and 'advocate of independent journalism'.
Eric was the former editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and editor in chief of the Herald and Weekly Times newspaper group. He is currently co-owner of Crikey, Smart Company, Eureka Report and a founder of Business Spectator - a new and free, online business and finance website with contributors including Alan Kohler, Stephen Bartholomeusz and Robert Gottliebsen.
Here are some of Eric's views, based on his prestation at the Media Monitors Annual Conference in February:
What are the major issues facing Australian journalists today?
The ever decreasing news cycle, and the 'dumbing down' of journalism are issues both locally and overseas. As news can now be rebroadcasted globally in a matter of seconds, it is becoming more difficult to have a 'scoop' story. News is becoming a commodity, where the owners of the information (publishers) and/or the audience value intensively researched, quality journalism less. Well funded journalism is central to a modern democracy, it creates a check and balance to ensure politicians, governments and businesses are kept accountable. Watergate was a prime example of this.
How is Business Spectator different from other business media websites?
We are free business and finance website, independently owned and operated by the people who produce it. We publish around 1000 stories a day and we update the site with commentary as events of the day evolve. Our information is sortable via 28 industry and category filters, which enable you customise our website to your specific interests. And we have some of the brightest minds in the industry on our team.
What are the biggest news/media trends you can see on the horizon?
User generated content and blogs are already here and starting to make an impact - although it's much bigger in the US than Australia currently. Blogs which focus on specialised topics and create like-minded communities are the most successful.
'Copyright' will become increasingly difficult to manage, as content becomes digital and distributed by readers throughout the world over billions of web pages.
The consolidation of mass media ownership, and the convergence of media across platforms - owners are looking to get bigger returns, with fewer resources.
Thanks to Eric for his time and commentary. If you haven't already done so, check out Eric's websites - we believe they have some of the best quality and most relevant Australian content you'll find on the web.
Tracking the media, monitoring the message
