Author: Gavin Ellis

Gavin Ellis is a media consultant, commentator and researcher. He holds a doctorate in political studies. A former editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Herald, he is the author of Trust Ownership and the Future of News: Media Moguls and White Knights (London, Palgrave) and Complacent Nation (Wellington, BWB Texts). His consultancy clients include media organisations and government ministries. His Tuesday Commentary on media matters appears weekly on his site www.whiteknightnews.com

The bad news is people are avoiding the news

 


Last weekend I received an email from an eminent journalist telling me that, with the exception of RNZ’s “Moaning Report”, he was avoiding the news. He is not alone.

He attached an essay from last Friday’s Washington Post that was headed “I stopped reading the news. Is the problem me – or the product?” It was written by Amanda Ripley. No, not the character from the Alien film and video game franchise, but a former Time magazine correspondent who has covered more than her fair share of horror. You can read her essay here. In it she shared a guilty secret: She has been actively avoiding the news for years. She is not alone. Continue reading “The bad news is people are avoiding the news” →

Is that person with an iPhone a press photographer?

Last weekend at an outdoor cafe I photographed three sparrows that had been about to poop on my bald head.

I was able to do so because my picture-taking ability is ever-present: I am one of the 6.6 billion people on this planet who walk around with a camera in their pockets. It is as much a part of my iPhone as the speaking and texting functions.

I would not mention the defecating feathered friends, or my mobile phone, were it not for the fact that the previous day I had been engaged in a lively email exchange with a group of highly respected press photographers. We had been debating whether the iPhone would replace the truckload of camera gear that they had been carrying throughout their professional lives. Continue reading “Is that person with an iPhone a press photographer?” →

Heavy work ahead on Public Media Bill

Today the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill will be introduced to Parliament. It will have a long journey before it is fit for purpose.

The Bill gives effect to the Government’s plan to replace TVNZ and RNZ with a new entity designed for the digital age, but the legislation as it stands does little more than cement the two public broadcasters together.

On first reading (mine, not Parliament’s), it looks like a legislative instrument to give effect to the merger, but its stated intent and functions are much wider. This is supposed to be the legal foundation upon which a new age of public media is to be built.

The general policy statement accompanying the Bill says: “This Bill seeks to strengthen the delivery of public media services by establishing a new public media entity.” It may achieve the latter, but it falls far short of guaranteeing its objective. Continue reading “Heavy work ahead on Public Media Bill” →

An open letter to the incoming media minister

Dear Minister,

Congratulations on assuming the Broadcasting and Media role.

The announcement of your new portfolio put me in mind of Hercules as King Eurystheus told him there were a dozen small jobs he would like done.

Like Hercules, you will find that the tasks ahead are challenging. Some will seem insurmountable. Yet, the underlying message of that particular piece of Greek mythology is that nothing is impossible.

I would hesitate to suggest that success will lead to immortality, but you will certainly make an enduring name for yourself if you are able to ensure that New Zealand’s media ecosystem is fit for purpose.

In order for that to happen you must undertake, if I may be so bold, the Twelve Labours of Willie Jackson. Continue reading “An open letter to the incoming media minister” →