Informed consent

28 December 2008, 4:16pm
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I was surprised the Australian Press Council upheld a complaint against the Sunday Age for obtaining information from a source without informed consent.

The girl was drunk when she spoke to the newspaper.

Which is what the story was about, I remember reading it.

The story was on “ladettes” … young women who drink a lot, swear and party hard. Or as Wikipedia describes them: “loud, foul-mouthed, uncultured and unpleasant young women, who like to drink and smoke and who are often sexually promiscuous.”

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ethics, journalism, complaints, society

Editorial opinions

30 September 2008, 8:08am
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I came to the conclusion long ago that not many people read a newspaper’s editorial opinion. I’m a newspaper junkie and I don’t read them.

I stopped writing editorials at the Alpine Times and the Kalgoorlie Miner, and the sky didn’t fall in. We never received a single complaint and nobody even commented on the omissions.

Editorials were important historically, back when newspapers were the only medium. They not only reported debate, they shaped opinion like they cannot possibly do today. Publishers established newspapers to exercise that privilege.

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editing, newspapers, opinion

The wrap

28 September 2008, 5:17pm
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Newspapers often have a “wrap around” known as the “wrap”. It’s generally a special feature related to a major event.

I’ve had discussions and arguments about wraps. In my view they are not worth running except in exceptional circumstances.

I won’t define those circumstances because they can’t easily be defined.

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marketing, newspapers

The importance of the front page

19 September 2008, 8:20pm
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How important is the front page of a newspaper? It’s the entry point for most readers, so it’s very important. It’s also the hook on a shop shelf to attract an impulse buyer.

Publishing a newspaper isn’t rocket science; it’s common sense really. The influence of an editor is most noticeable in story selection and the emphasis given to particular stories.

While changes to the style and direction of a newspaper might affect sales in the longer term, casual buyers are won by word of mouth and a strong front page.

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newspapers, editing
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