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A 'Labor Herald' publication? What a good idea A 'Labor Herald' publication? What a good idea
(4 months later)
There’s been a lot of mirth and fun poked at the idea from George Wright, National Secretary of the ALP that the party want to start something called the Labor Herald – a news website that would contain “handy facts, interesting articles and video” that would be “no nonsense”. An openly biased ALP news site, where their information would not "be filtered through the mainstream media”. This move should not come as a surprise to anyone who closely followed the last federal election on social media. There’s been a lot of mirth and fun poked at the idea from George Wright, National Secretary of the ALP that the party want to start something called the Labor Herald – a news website that would contain “handy facts, interesting articles and video” that would be “no nonsense”. An openly biased ALP news site, where their information would not "be filtered through the mainstream media”. This move should not come as a surprise to anyone who closely followed the last federal election on social media.
As the 2013 election was grinding its way to its inevitable conclusion, there was a clear theme developing amongst Labor supporters on Twitter and other platforms. They fervently believed that their message was being stifled, that the overwhelming negativity coming from News Corporation publications about the ALP was having an impact on voters. Hence we saw attacks on Murdoch and his publications, as well as a proliferation of attacks on the ABC not doing enough to offer a counterbalance against NewsCorp. As the 2013 election was grinding its way to its inevitable conclusion, there was a clear theme developing amongst Labor supporters on Twitter and other platforms. They fervently believed that their message was being stifled, that the overwhelming negativity coming from News Corporation publications about the ALP was having an impact on voters. Hence we saw attacks on Murdoch and his publications, as well as a proliferation of attacks on the ABC not doing enough to offer a counterbalance against NewsCorp.
We also witnessed a constant flow of memes being retweeted and shared – pictures of Abbott in various unflattering positions with slogans on them. The frustration that was bubbling behind this activity and the retweeting of slogans and complaints about mainstream media would quickly become outrage about the media in general. This led to many supporters contributing pieces to a variety of non–mainstream news portals in order to get their point “out there” into the public sphere. Those pieces were often negative in tone, because they were usually tinged with a tone ringing with the frustration of voices “not heard”. This somewhat affected their ability to gently persuade and influence undecided voters. We also witnessed a constant flow of memes being retweeted and shared – pictures of Abbott in various unflattering positions with slogans on them. The frustration that was bubbling behind this activity and the retweeting of slogans and complaints about mainstream media would quickly become outrage about the media in general. This led to many supporters contributing pieces to a variety of non–mainstream news portals in order to get their point “out there” into the public sphere. Those pieces were often negative in tone, because they were usually tinged with a tone ringing with the frustration of voices “not heard”. This somewhat affected their ability to gently persuade and influence undecided voters.
The new Labor Herald would be a good way to address these frustrations amongst supporters and provide a central forum for articles and news relating to criticising the government. Its purpose and bias would be clear for any potential readers, which would be an honest way of approaching idea dissemination, rather than the current situation, where various "independent" organisations and "institutes" that claim to be impartial often are not. It would also provide professional editing support for writers wishing to improve their skills in shaping and developing ideas, rather than the current situation where alternative blog sites cannot provide the kind of support and assistance that could be provided by a professionally run media organisation. The new Labor Herald would be a good way to address these frustrations amongst supporters and provide a central forum for articles and news relating to criticising the government. Its purpose and bias would be clear for any potential readers, which would be an honest way of approaching idea dissemination, rather than the current situation, where various "independent" organisations and "institutes" that claim to be impartial often are not. It would also provide professional editing support for writers wishing to improve their skills in shaping and developing ideas, rather than the current situation where alternative blog sites cannot provide the kind of support and assistance that could be provided by a professionally run media organisation.
For it to be a success for the ALP, however, the site would need to be more than just a Centre for Grizzlement – a place for criticism of the government, or a place which would see the republishing of press releases about policies. It should also be a home to discussion of the mission and message of the reforming ALP – allowing a variety of voices and approaches to the issues being tackled by the party, which would encourage a wider audience to engage with its content than a propaganda hub could. As many Australians prefer positive news stories rather than constant attack, the site should develop a positive image, a positive alternative point of view to one presented by their opponents, rather than being just focused on negativity. For it to be a success for the ALP, however, the site would need to be more than just a Centre for Grizzlement – a place for criticism of the government, or a place which would see the republishing of press releases about policies. It should also be a home to discussion of the mission and message of the reforming ALP – allowing a variety of voices and approaches to the issues being tackled by the party, which would encourage a wider audience to engage with its content than a propaganda hub could. As many Australians prefer positive news stories rather than constant attack, the site should develop a positive image, a positive alternative point of view to one presented by their opponents, rather than being just focused on negativity.
If the ALP wants this Labor Herald to appeal and have influence beyond hardcore supporters, they will need to win hearts and minds over a long period. In order to achieve this, it should be in a familiar format –to mirror that of other news sites, because they have shown themselves to be successful in attracting readers. It should have feature articles, a sport section, lifestyle pieces – all of which could highlight whichever philosophies on which the ALP would want to focus (for example, equality, participation in the community, workplace fairness, environmental sustainability). If the ALP wants this Labor Herald to appeal and have influence beyond hardcore supporters, they will need to win hearts and minds over a long period. In order to achieve this, it should be in a familiar format –to mirror that of other news sites, because they have shown themselves to be successful in attracting readers. It should have feature articles, a sport section, lifestyle pieces – all of which could highlight whichever philosophies on which the ALP would want to focus (for example, equality, participation in the community, workplace fairness, environmental sustainability).
That way, it could provide scope and encouragement for a wide range of members and supporters to contribute to the life of a media organisation that would seek to represent a Labor vision of Australia, not just provide a release valve for those with an axe to grind about the mainstream media.That way, it could provide scope and encouragement for a wide range of members and supporters to contribute to the life of a media organisation that would seek to represent a Labor vision of Australia, not just provide a release valve for those with an axe to grind about the mainstream media.
That is why it’s going to be a tall order for the ALP, because their new venture will need to be negative at times – but it also needs to be a light on the hill.That is why it’s going to be a tall order for the ALP, because their new venture will need to be negative at times – but it also needs to be a light on the hill.