Broadcast Journalism: The World’s Town Crier

1. Do you think the ABC should be privatised? What impact might this have on broadcast journalism? If you disagree, could the government funding process be made less ‘political’?
No, I don't think the ABC should be privatised. The other networks wouldn't like it and the ABC would lose its reputation. The funding process could be less political but despite its political nature I think it remains relatively balanced.

2. You are a television news director with two strong job applications. One is from a ‘telegenic’ male, 28, with reasonable skill and experience. The other is from a female, 38. She is of ‘average’ appearance but has considerable skill and experience. Your present reporting staff consists of four females and one male, none older than 32. Who do you hire, and why?
Reasonable and considerable a slightly ambiguous words, but I suppose the female would have more skill and experience. I would hire the female. We already have a male who can appeal and report for that particular demographic, yet we have no one over the age of 32. That and the fact she has more skill and experience, I would hire her.

3. Given the strengths and weaknesses of each medium, which do you think is the ‘best communicator’ on any given story: radio, television, the web, or newspapers?
It would depend on the story, but I suppose overall I would say Television. It’s easily accessible, reliable, and consistent. With the addition of VNRs however, the web is quickly catching up.

4. During the last federal election campaign do you think the broadcast media focused more on issues or personalities? What could have been done better?
Personalities. There was so much on the problems with Mark Latham and his relationship with Labour, in addition to the tension between John Howard and Peter Costello. It would have been better if they were less tabloid and focused more on the policies and ideas.