Hard questions, because this is what came out in the wash: after analysing a five-day working week in the media, across 10 hard-copy papers, ACIJ and Crikey found that nearly 55% of stories analysed were driven by some form of public relations. The Daily Telegraph came out on top of the league ladder with 70% of stories analysed triggered by public relations. The Sydney Morning Herald gets the wooden spoon with (only) 42% PR-driven stories for that week.
Many journalists and editors were defensive when the phone call came. Who’d blame them? They’re busier than ever, under resourced, on deadline and under pressure. Most refused to respond, others who initially granted an interview then asked for their comments to be withdrawn out of fear they’d be reprimanded, or worse, fired.
You would think that journalists would show a lot more respect for PR given how dependent they have become on the output of the PR industry.
I have heard young communications graduates say that PR is just journalism with better remuneration. I was initially aghast, but maybe they're right.
Still no wonder newspapers are going down the toilet when they seem to have all the 'edge' of an in-house newsletter - not quite, but getting there.
The number is surprisingly low compared with the evidence provided by Nick Davies in his book about the UK press: Flat Earth News.
Posted by: Bill Bennett | 16 March 2010 at 04:42 PM