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One Trinity Mirror sentence that spells the death knell of journalism One Trinity Mirror sentence that spells the death knell of journalism
(3 days later)
Contemplate the awesome implications of this single sentence:Contemplate the awesome implications of this single sentence:
“The days are long gone when we could afford to be a paper of record and dutifully report everything that happened on our patch”.“The days are long gone when we could afford to be a paper of record and dutifully report everything that happened on our patch”.
That isn’t a spoof. It is a statement in a memo issued by Britain’s largest regional newspaper publisher, Trinity Mirror, about its daily titles in Birmingham and Coventry.That isn’t a spoof. It is a statement in a memo issued by Britain’s largest regional newspaper publisher, Trinity Mirror, about its daily titles in Birmingham and Coventry.
It is an abject admission that the paper is no longer able to fulfil its journalistic mission to provide comprehensive coverage in two major British cities.It is an abject admission that the paper is no longer able to fulfil its journalistic mission to provide comprehensive coverage in two major British cities.
The memo gives a lie to claims that job cuts at the Birmingham Mail and Coventry Telegraph are being instituted because digital tools enable fewer staff to do the work without any reduction in the quantity and quality of output.The memo gives a lie to claims that job cuts at the Birmingham Mail and Coventry Telegraph are being instituted because digital tools enable fewer staff to do the work without any reduction in the quantity and quality of output.
Just the opposite is the case. The cuts reveal a truth that Trinity Mirror (and other publishers) have previously denied: they are all about private profit and not about public interest.Just the opposite is the case. The cuts reveal a truth that Trinity Mirror (and other publishers) have previously denied: they are all about private profit and not about public interest.
To put this in economic terms, publishers are elevating exchange value above use value. In this case, Trinity Mirror is letting down both the public and its journalists.To put this in economic terms, publishers are elevating exchange value above use value. In this case, Trinity Mirror is letting down both the public and its journalists.
That shaming memo, which followed the announcement that Trinity is demanding 25 redundancies in Birmingham and Coventry, was the management’s response to a question-and-answer session with worried editorial staff.That shaming memo, which followed the announcement that Trinity is demanding 25 redundancies in Birmingham and Coventry, was the management’s response to a question-and-answer session with worried editorial staff.
They wanted to know how, with fewer journalists, would it be possible “to cover the whole of Birmingham as fully as we do now?”They wanted to know how, with fewer journalists, would it be possible “to cover the whole of Birmingham as fully as we do now?”
The answer, that it is no longer possible, is shocking. But I also concede that it is candid. It is the first time that a publisher has told the truth. It is the awful reality of our declining regional and local press.The answer, that it is no longer possible, is shocking. But I also concede that it is candid. It is the first time that a publisher has told the truth. It is the awful reality of our declining regional and local press.
Of course, Trinity Mirror tries to sugar the pill with some digital gobbledegook, as the rest of the memo illustrates:Of course, Trinity Mirror tries to sugar the pill with some digital gobbledegook, as the rest of the memo illustrates:
“With our digital content approach, we are increasingly understanding what content works for more people across the city.“With our digital content approach, we are increasingly understanding what content works for more people across the city.
We are very confident that we will be producing both the right kind of content for our audiences as well as enough content for our print products”.We are very confident that we will be producing both the right kind of content for our audiences as well as enough content for our print products”.
And it also plans to put greater pressure on its remaining staff too. Individual targets will be set for journalists in terms of attracting readers online. Call them clickbait payments!And it also plans to put greater pressure on its remaining staff too. Individual targets will be set for journalists in terms of attracting readers online. Call them clickbait payments!
“Targets are important to help everyone understand how their work contributes to our ambition of growing our online audiences.“Targets are important to help everyone understand how their work contributes to our ambition of growing our online audiences.
“Targets will take into account the subjects and geography you cover, your historic performance, and the growth we need across the board...“Targets will take into account the subjects and geography you cover, your historic performance, and the growth we need across the board...
“The focus will be on achieving growth in all areas… everyone will be expected – and helped – to grow their audiences, albeit from different starting points”.“The focus will be on achieving growth in all areas… everyone will be expected – and helped – to grow their audiences, albeit from different starting points”.
That time-and-motion-study approach to journalism spells the death knell of reporting that takes time and effort.That time-and-motion-study approach to journalism spells the death knell of reporting that takes time and effort.
And it appears that Trinity Mirror’s retreat from journalistic quality extends to Scotland, where 20 job losses are due to occur on the Daily Record, Sunday Mail, Paisley Daily Express and various local titles.And it appears that Trinity Mirror’s retreat from journalistic quality extends to Scotland, where 20 job losses are due to occur on the Daily Record, Sunday Mail, Paisley Daily Express and various local titles.
The email to staff from managing director Alan Rennie (as reported by Press Gazette) said: “With fewer people, there will be fewer checks”. The email to staff from managing director Allan Rennie (as reported by Press Gazette) said: “With fewer people, there will be fewer checks”.
Think also of the implications behind that sentence: to comply with that command there will be safety-first story-getting, meaning PR pap.Think also of the implications behind that sentence: to comply with that command there will be safety-first story-getting, meaning PR pap.
The digital revolution enables us to be free of restrictions. But mainstream media is engaged in a counter revolution. It is perverting the ethos of that revolution because it views the online world through the prism of profit and not public benefit.The digital revolution enables us to be free of restrictions. But mainstream media is engaged in a counter revolution. It is perverting the ethos of that revolution because it views the online world through the prism of profit and not public benefit.
It makes much of using digital tools, but that’s a facade to enable staff reductions. Labour-intensive journalism is not required. Just bang it out as quickly as possible, stick it up and move on to the next “story” about a cat with two tails.It makes much of using digital tools, but that’s a facade to enable staff reductions. Labour-intensive journalism is not required. Just bang it out as quickly as possible, stick it up and move on to the next “story” about a cat with two tails.
Source and big hat tip: HoldTheFrontPageSource and big hat tip: HoldTheFrontPage