At the Future of Journalism event I attended in November, one speaker talked about how Fairfax, owner of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, has dumbed down its web coverage. The speaker in question memorably contrasted how Fairfax bosses were selling a slap up meal in print and fast food on the web.
Unfortunately, I can’t recall the name of that particular speaker, but it could well be Michael Gawenda, a former editor at the Age. This week I came across an article he has written arguing that these newspapers’ inferior online versions are only succeeding in trashing their once revered mastheads.
He says their mistake has been trying to address their weaknesses rather than building on their strengths. He goes on to call on newspapers to get back to their core business – breaking great stories. You can read more on The Australian.
Rosie Niven 