The New Generation Society

York ‘Thinking and Drinking’ 8 May 2008 – Lily Eastwood

Problem / Issue –

With the rise of Internet journalism the media is freer than ever – but how far should journalism move on to the web? Are we ready to see the end of the newspaper?
And what are the ethical consequences of such a free media?

Argument —

- The internet is a force to be utilised, not to fear.

- A freer media is a better media.

- The media has a large responsibility to the public – not the government.

Your “New Thinking” solution —

- Multi-media news experiences.

- Encourage the growth of “amateur” media.

- We dictate the media we want.

Questions to be posed to the group to be discussed —

- Are we ready to see the end of the newspaper?

- How free a media should we have?

- What responsibilities does the media have and to whom?

Some sugestions…

“Life is too fast, no time for newspapers anymore”

“Environmental reasons: wasting paper”

“newspapers sometimes carry grotesque images: should we censor them?”

“Is there anything we can do to draw a line between completely free press and the welfare of the people?”

“If paparazzi is affecting someone, there should be something in place to protect them before all-out harrassment”

“The media twists things out of all perspective – the responsibility is on the reckless editors”

“In schools children should be taught what sources they read are likely to be accurate and which ones lack correctness. At the moment children assume the media must be true”

“Surely the way things are going, it is inevitable that the media will become more and more free”

“The huge power of the media to influence people, eg, Sun readers in general elections – a huge threat to democracy?”

“Newspapers – still retain their intellectual status”

“Legislation? Difficult to put in place, especially the internet”

“Journalistic protection for bloggers?”

“If we cannot legislate effectively, it may be beter not to legislate at all”

“If celebrities bring paparazzi on themselves by going out and getting drunk, do women bring rape on themselves by going out in a short skirt?”

- Tom Harding, Thinking and Drinking Coordinator