BBC4’s recent Storyville documentary series episode “Deadline: The New York Times” provides an interesting insight into working for a traditional, historic and old school media stalwart in an increasingly digital modern age. Throughout the programme, the battle between old and new media was ever-present, fierce and often underhanded. However, for such a weighty topic, with such significant implications for how the world generates and consumes its media, the most disturbing element was the loss of objectivity and considered debate as both sides attempt to simply out-shout the other.
What should be an intelligent, sensitive (given that this has a direct impact on people’s livelihoods) and measured debate is most often symbolised in the most simplistic black versus white / good versus evil terms (depending on which side of the fence you sit on). However, with something as important as this, maybe it would be a good idea to sit on the fence a little longer before deciding which side to jump down. The seriousness of the debate cannot be underestimated, not just at a personal profession level but at a global economic level.
Whilst it was the old school New York Times that was the predominant host of the programme, the BBC did not explicitly pin its colours to the old mast. However, those representing online PR and reportage did little to portray themselves in a good light. It does not need an expert to recognise that new media has landed some very serious blows over the past decade and old school media giants are not taking the hits very well. With advertising revenue diverted to new means, old media cuts a pitiful stance; many have already gone out of business and those once great establishments, such as The New York Times, are just about holding on.
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