CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER
The media is under attack. While Donald Trump may be the loudest voice in the assault on mainstream media, he is not the most effective. That honour goes to Google and Facebook and Twitter and, and, and.
The impact social media and search engines have had on advertising revenues is gutting newspapers, radio and television news. There are more news outlets today and fewer journalists. More press releases and less reporting. More sensational headlines and less in-depth content. Consolidation, generic mastheads along with cut and paste mean politicians and your governments are getting a free pass.
The role of the media is to be a watchdog, to be the canary in the coal mine, to be an early warning system.
Sadly, the watching and the warning are diminishing as budgets shrink.
Fortunately, journalists are innovative; they find new ways of taking on their responsibility of keeping our governing institutions accountable.
We invited Harold Munro, chief editor of The Vancouver Sun and The Province to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the role of mainstream media in a democracy.
Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue presents Conversations That Matter. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for an important and engaging Conversation about the issues shaping our future. Please become a subscriber and support the production of this program, conversations that matter.