07 May 2009
Media Experts Discuss Economic Downturn’s Effect on Journalism
CO.NX webchat transcript, May 7
Media specialists Sherry Ricchiardi and Frank Folwell answered questions in a May 7 CO.NX webchat on the economic challenges facing media companies today. Dr. Sherry Ricchiardi is a senior writer specializing in international affairs for the American Journalism Review and a professor at Indiana University. Frank Folwell has been deputy managing editor in photo and graphics at USA Today and, over the past year, has been a teacher and consultant in China.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Webchat: Is the Economic Downturn a Threat to Journalism?
Guest: Dr. Sherry Ricchiardi and Frank Folwell
Date: May 7, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. EDT (13:00 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please join us on May 7, at 0900EDT (1300 GMT) as we discuss the economic downturn and its effect on journalism with Dr. Ricchiardi and Mr. Folwell.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We are taking your questions and comments now. Once submitted, they will appear in red.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to today's webchat. We are taking your questions now.
Comment [American Corner Belgrade]: We are preparing for the web chat. There will be students, reporters etc attending and having questions :)
Marie Zisa: Good morning everyone! Thank you for joining us today!
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): If each of you joining us today would like to introduce yourself and tell us where you're from, feel free!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): To listen to our Press Freedom Podcast, click the play button below. This week's podcast features interviews with young journalists from Poland and Nigeria.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Good morning everyone! Thank you for joining us today. My name is Marie and I'm joining you from Washington, DC. Feel free to introduce yourself and tell us where you are from!
Comment [Public Affairs - Accra 2]: Accra will participate. We will have on board students 10 students from Journalism Universities in Accra, Ghana.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Welcome everyone! If each of you would like to introduce yourself, feel free!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Accra, we're glad you are with us today.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): This is the fourth webchat in a series for World Press Freedom Day. Our first chat was with Ambassador Stewart. To read the transcript, click here: http://www.america.gov/st/webchat-english/2009/May/20090505151857xjsnommis0.6692578.html&distid=ucs
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Ambassador Karen Stewart is the acting Assistant Secretary in the State Department Bureau of Democracy and Human Rights issues, she discussed U.S. support for free press around the world.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Welcome everyone! This is our fourth webchat in a series of chats for World Press Freedom Day. We'll be getting started at the top of the hour. Feel free to introduce yourself and tell us where you're from!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We have just reloaded the podcast. Please take a moment to vote in our poll. We will start at the top of the hour with Dr Ricchiardi and Mr. Folwell.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello everyone, we'll get started in just a moment!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): You may begin sending in your questions now.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Our speakers are getting logged in now, we'll begin in just a moment.
Comment [abidjan-celestin]: Celestin: Hello and Franck
Comment [Frank Folwell]: Hello Abidjan!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We have a number of journalists on from around the world, if you'd like to introduce yourself to the group, please feel free to do so. Our guests are working on answers to your questions now.
Comment [Abidjan-edem:edem]: hello sherry et frank
Comment [American Corner Belgrade]: Allow me to introduce our group in Belgrade: media managers and representatives from the independent journalists association.
Comment [Abidjan-edem]: am journalist and I work in Ivory Coast
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Welcome everyone! As Mr. Folwell and Dr. Ricchiardi answer your questions, feel free to tell us what it is like to a journalist or student in your country.
Comment [abidjan-celestin]: Im Celestin from Abidjan, journalist at www.acturoutes.info
Question [American Corner Belgrade]: Belgrade is ready with its first question when we get started. How soon can we expect a full transition from print to online media? Not just in the United States, but globally?
Answer [Sherry Ricchiardi]: Welcome to our colleagues in Belgrade. This is very hard to predict. Some will migrate to strictly digital operations; others will become a hybrid between traditional print and digital. This is a progress. One thing for sure: we must move toward some form of digital operation.
Question [Sanja]: I am Dario Novalic, magazine Start and President of Association of Print media in BiH (PRESSA). My question - is the global crisis having same effects on print media in developed countries and in countries in transition, like BiH?
A [Frank Folwell]: Welcome, Dario. It appears that print media is being affected everywhere because of the downturn in advertising. However, print circulation may be stronger in developing countries.
Sanja: In Sarajevo we have the following media people - Dario Novalic, editor in chief of Start Magazine, Ljiljana Zurovac from the Press Council of BiH, and Aldin Tiro from weekly Global, plus Naida and Sanja from PA
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Welcome! What is it like being a journalist in Sarajevo?
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Welcome to all who have just joined us! Marie and I are joining you all from Washington DC. Feel free to introduce yourself!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We know we are joined by friends in Belgrade and Abidjan.
Comment [Helena]: Hello to all, my name is Helena Puljiz, journalist, Croatia
Comment [Abidjan-edem]: am so happy to join this forum
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): We're happy you're here!
Q [Jelena]: Jelena here, a journalist form Zagreb. So, what do we do now?
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Hi Jelena. Good to have you with us. We are taking your questions now. Once you have submitted your questions they will appear in red.
Q [Press Council BiH]: What is the best way about development of freedom of press in the countries of young democracy, where the current politicians still are not aware of the importance of that freedom?
Answer [Sherry Ricchiardi]: Hello BiH: It is a matter of educating politicians so that they see for themselves the importance of a transparent political system. Many are threatened by having the media look over their shoulders. In Ukraine, we developed a manual for elected officials on how free press works and why it is important for them to do the public's business in an open. This always is an uphill battle.
Comment [Sanja]: Thank you, but our mayor concern is the significant drop in the advertising income and first data indicates that we already have a 20 percent reduction in the region
A [Frank Folwell]: It is difficult to deal with declining ad revenue. In the U.S.A. that is the job of advertising departments and not journalists. However, everyone can work on innovative ideas to increase advertising. Offering lower cost incentives to advertisers, for example.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): This is our fourth webchat featuring media experts to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. To read the transcript of yesterday’s webchat with David Hoffman about local media, click here: http://www.america.gov/st/webchat-english/2009/May/20090506173636xjsnommis0.8638684.html&distid=ucs
Q [abidjan-celestin]: Have some journalists left their job because of the crisis?
A [Frank Folwell]: Newspapers in the U.S. are cutting staff (called layoffs). Also, using furloughs - employees must take time off without pay. Almost every newspaper is affected by this.
Comment [Sanja]: Dario - better than during the war, but much harder than in normal countries. Our situation is deteriorating on daily basis - attacks on journalists are increasing, a day ago we had a research conducted by Media Center and Journalism Association and it says that 75 percent of people trust the journalists the most. At least this is good news and recognition of our name. But we are worried because some of them, 20 % of respondents think it is justified to attack journalist.
Q [aldin, Sarajevo]: What newspaper larger or smaller is being hit hardest during the economic downturn
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: In the United States, larger newspapers appear to be hit the hardest by the economic downturn. The New York Times, Washington Post and other top tier publications continue to struggle with falling advertising sales, declining readership and higher operating costs. Smaller papers have had an easier time pulling back and going to what is called "hyperlocal" news. This gives them an advantage larger papers often don't have.
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: How has the crisis affected news agencies and what is the outcome?
A [Frank Folwell]: News agencies like the AP are reorganizing to find other sources of revenue to support their reporting expenses. It is a challenge.
Q [Helena]: Don`t you think that we all take much more care on satisfying advertisers than practicing good journalism
Comment [Frank Folwell]: No, at least not at U.S. newspapers. There is almost always a clear line between advertising and the newsroom.
Comment [abidjan-celestin]: Hello. My name is paulin zobo, journalist in Fraternite Matin.
Q [Sanja]: Dario - How do you explain the increase in the circulation of US Today, one of the youngest papers in the US, while others are falling?
A [Frank Folwell]: USA TODAY's circulation model - making the newspaper easily available to travelers has been working well. However, in the last quarter circulation has fallen significantly. Travel is down, so circulation is affected.
Comment [Public Affairs – Accra]: Hi there. I am Dziedzorm segbefia, a Medical Journalist and a student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism
Comment [Abidjan-Adeline]: Hello my name is Adeline Balo, I'm a journalist at Radio CI.
Q [aldin, Sarajevo]: What steps the media companies must take to adapt or overcome the economic downturn?
A [Frank Folwell]: This is a tough question. The world economy will eventually improve, but the trend of advertising moving away from print media and declining circulation will not improve. Those are what need to be addressed with long term planning.
Comment [Abidjan-edem]: Hello, my name is bouikalo, journalist at radio atm from cote d ivoire
Q [davor]: Hi to all! I am Davor Gkavas, journalist from Zagreb. Sherry, good to see you again (at least on a still photo...) I think we should go a step forward, and asked ourselves a more precise question: what is going to be the impact of economic crisis to investigative journalism. This is, I'd say, even more important problem than transition from print to electronic media
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: Hello Davor: Good to hear from you. Your question touches on a very important issue that journalists are struggling with every day. There is no doubt that with decline in revenue, there is less investigative reporting going on around the world. Major papers like New York Times still do a wonderful job, but mid-size newspapers definitely have put investigations on back burner. This can be dangerous to the watchdog role media plays in democracy.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): To read the transcript of a recent webchat about independent journalism with Deborah Potter, a veteran journalism trainer, reporter, and writer, click here: http://www.america.gov/st/webchat-english/2009/May/20090505181501xjsnommis0.6645253.html&distid=ucs
Comment [Malala]: Hello, I’m Malala, from Madagascar. I'm a student in journalism.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Welcome!
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: Maja from the independent journalists' association - in Serbia the impact on local media has been greater because of the ongoing privatization and lack of ownership transparency so I don't think the comparison with the states could apply.
A [Frank Folwell]: True. Although the news media in the U.S. is in trouble, it is independent. It might be possible for independent news startups to develop as an alternative. The same thing that is competing with the traditional media in the U.S.
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: Thanks, Frank, can you give us an example?
Q [Frank Folwell]: example of what?
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: An example of what you mentioned earlier, 'alternative revenues' for news agencies.
A [Frank Folwell]: Selling their content online to subscribers.
Q [davor]: There is always going to be a room for hyperlocal news, and it seems that this type of news will dominate media. What is going to happen with a wider, global prospective?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: From what we see, the global perspective often is being sacrificed in favor or more local news. For some media, it is a survival tactic. They feel they can "own" local news but can't compete with CNN, AP and larger media outlets for international coverage. It is a shame that so many foreign bureaus have been closed in recent years.
Comment [American Corner Belgrade]: But generally we think that the local newspapers with loyal readership will be better off than the bigger media
A [Frank Folwell]: You are right. Local newspapers provide news that nobody else has. The word is OWN the local news. The push is for hyper local - down to special interests or even neighborhoods. Indianapolis Star has an online forum called INDYMOMS.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): To read the transcript of yesterday’s webchat with David Hoffman about local media, click here: http://www.america.gov/st/webchat-english/2009/May/20090506173636xjsnommis0.8638684.html&distid=ucs
Comment [Sanja]: That goes without saying that journalism should not cave in to commercial interests, but it is no secret that strong advertisers influence editorial policies everywhere, be it directly or indirectly. One of the ways is auto censorship...
A [Frank Folwell]: It is important for news organizations to have written ethics policies - and to follow them.
Q [Public Affairs – Accra]: How really bad, to begin with, is the Crunch on journalism in general?
A [Frank Folwell]: Pretty bad - in the U.S. Traditional revenues are down. So staffing is cut. Some newspapers have gone out of business.
Q [GUILAVOGUI Mohamed Pévé]: Why journalists are assaulted in the end and that the attackers were not prosecuted?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: This is a problem world-wide. The attackers often carry out their violence with impunity from government or those in charge. Please check in with the Committee to Protect Journalist for more on this: www.cpj.org. They are global watchdogs and do great reports on journalists under attack in places like Mexico.
Q [Volana]: Hi, I am Razaka from Madagascar. Facing with this economic crisis, how do American journalists feel and fulfill their job especially thinking about their future?
A [Frank Folwell]: American journalists are in a crisis, but it goes beyond the current economic situation. The survival of newspapers and other media is in question. However, people are still consuming news at record rates - just from non-traditional sources.
Q [Public Affairs – Accra]: Hi Frank. Can you give us here in Ghana a more African perspective as to possible effects of the crunch on media reportage?
Comment [Frank Folwell]: Not sure how to answer this.
Q [abidjan-eric]: What is the measure taken, for stopping to kill the journalist around the world?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: This is a big problem in many places around the world. There are no easy answers, but we know it helps to keep the spotlight on governments and repressive regimes that target journalists. Besides CPJ, Reporters Without Borders also keeps an eye on violence against journalists. Both organizations have posted "safety tips" on their websites and regularly sent letters of protest to the offenders.
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: Don't you find, however, that in order to be more competitive, ethical standards are being lowered to attract more viewers/readers? What can be done about this?
Comment [Frank Folwell]: In general, no I don't think ethical standards are lowered.
Q [Jelena]: What were the media's levels of profit before the crisis and what are the expected levels for this year?
A [Frank Folwell]: Newspaper companies were very profitable. Today, profits are reduced and many are losing money. Television is also suffering. One exception is radio.
Q [Public Affairs – Accra]: We seem not to feel the effects of the crunch here in Africa. When do you expect it to hit us?
A [Frank Folwell]: It is impossible for me to know, but the trend toward online news is coming. Just slower in some places.
Q [bobofafaya]: What attitude should the media take in a country where the state is authoritarian?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: This is a delicate situation for journalists. How far do we push the envelope before we end up arrested or physically attacked? Look at the situation in Russia: so many journalists have been targeted yet so little has been done by the authorities to stop this. Journalists in Mexico have been ruthlessly attacked and murdered by drug cartels, but little has been done to stop it. Often it is a struggle between the conscience of the journalist and the desire to keep ourselves and our families safe.
Q [Volana]: I am Manjakahery, working for Tribune. madagascar on line, apart from unemployment, what might be the impacts of the economic crisis in journalism? Thank you
A [Frank Folwell]: A strong, free press is an important part of democracy. Citizens need to be informed.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): There are journalists joining us today from many countries all over the world. Do any journalists have questions for other journalists from other countries?
Q [cesar-Abidjan]: We sometimes have the impression that the medias in developed countries are very influenced by the political power or government. What do you think?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: I can only speak about my experience as a journalist in the United States, but media professionals here pride themselves on being independent from government and the influence of political parties. During the 2008 presidential election, great care was taken to give the candidates equal space and time. The media had reporters and photographers covering both Republicans and Democrats. Fairness and balance are important in political coverage.
Q [abidjan-celestin]: How many papers companies are there in USA? Have some closed because of the crisis?
A [Frank Folwell]: There are about 1,400 daily papers. Some newspapers have closed. The Rocky Mountain News and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer - two large papers ceased publishing.
Q [LABTM GUINEE]: joachim: Is that all government actions must be public?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: It is important that governments operate as openly as possible when they are doing the public's business. However, when it comes to matters of national security, governments often do keep the information secret in the interest of protecting the country and its people. Those instances should be rare, though. The more transparent a government is, the better.
Q [Volana]: Do you think, journalists should be more concentrated on economic impact than social one facing economic crisis? I am little afraid that they automatically forgot the impact of this crisis on population’s life.
A [Frank Folwell]: Tell the economic story with stories about real people. How are they impacted? You are right to focus on this.
Q [Folli]: Hello Madame! My name is Simplice Agnimo, Freelance Journaliste for west and Central Africa Bureau of VOA, Voice of America, I`m also consultant in multimedia and video Production: What is your vision on Journalist freedom in Africa?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: You pose a very difficult question: some African countries like Zambia have more press freedom than others. In some places, like Congo, there is little tradition of a free press as we know it. Journalists in Rwanda are working hard to develop a free press system. It often depends on the country and the government in charge. The African journalists I have met during my career are some of the bravest in the world and work in difficult circumstances.
Comment [Press Council BiH]: Frank, you said it is important for news organizations to have written ethics policies - and to follow them. But, it is really very simplified response. Please, could you be more specific.
A [Frank Folwell]: I will try - ethics codes let everyone know what they can and cannot do. Many newspaper companies have them and require their reporters to sign them every year. If your newsroom does not have an ethics code, consider proposing that one be written.
Q [Deborah Ecker]: How important are our newspapers to keeping journalists independent?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: In the U.S., newspapers have been the backbone of independent, quality journalism. That role now is being threatened and many are in an uphill battle to survive. New business models could be part of the answer, but no one has come up with a sure bet yet.
Q [abdoulaye KPOGOMOU]: Can I think that the journalists’ work will be abandoned because the risks are several or can I continue to hope?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: You must continue to hope and, at the same time, be cautious. Some Mexican journalists have fled to the United States to continue their work after they were targeted. Some are in hiding in their own country. The risks are great, but so is abandoning the journalistic mission to serve as public watchdogs and keep an eye on the powerful and elite in society.
Q [Abidjan-Adeline]: Since the costs of traditional productions for media are pretty high, can new technologies such as the Internet, be an alternative solution during this crisis?
A [Frank Folwell]: The Internet allows for lower distribution costs - and it is much easier to startup (you don't have to have an expensive printing press). But revenues have not caught up. The theory was - as print revenues go down, online revenues would go up. It is not happening yet.
Q [abidjan-celestin]: About the traditional sources, will they have to die because of the crisis?
Comment [Frank Folwell]: They have to adapt or go out of business. Almost every newspaper and TV station in the U.S. has a website.
Q [diakite (abidjan)]: Today with the new technologies, such as internet, what will be the future of journalism?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: Excellent question and one that many of us around the globe are pondering. No one knows for sure how this will play out, but here is one thing we do know: the basic tenets and values of good journalism will remain the same. The demand for truth, accuracy, fairness, balance and responsibility will never go away, at least not for serious journalists.
Q [Abidjan-Adeline]: What makes radio the exception?
A [Frank Folwell]: Low cost ads that can be repeated over and over.
Q [toure]: Is press freedom applied all around the world?
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: No, it is not. Many countries still are struggling to develop free press systems. Others, such as China, remain controlled by government and the Communist Party. I have worked with journalists in many developing countries, and they are some of the most dedicated professionals I have ever met. They see it as their mission to foster free press and serve their public.
Q [Volana: Manjakahery]: Do you think, facing with this crisis, the normal situation won't come back anymore?? Thank you
A [Frank Folwell]: The economic crisis is making traditional journalism more difficult - when the economy improves, media will still have challenges.
Q [American Corner Belgrade]: Do you have the impression that the financial crisis in the United States has stabilized or is it still getting worse?
A [Frank Folwell]: Experts seem to think it is improving - slowly. But nothing is sure.
Comment [davor]: From a Croatian prospective: advertising income is down by 32 pct in Q1 2009. Circulation by 12 pct. To make it even more complicated, five biggest advertisers control more than 60 pct of the national advertising.
Comment [Sanja]: Dario: We have hope - my daughter Lana, 10 years, says that nothing works in Bosnia, so therefore the crisis will not work either
A [Frank Folwell]: 10 year olds are pretty smart!
Comment [Public Affairs – Accra]: They are smart. Here in Ghana, they have the most comprehensive opinion about the economy - and how it affects their breakfast.
A [Sherry Ricchiardi]: Thank you all for your excellent comments and questions. One thing for sure, journalists around the world speak a common professional language. We clearly saw evidence of that today. Hope we meet again during a web chat.
A [Frank Folwell]: Thanks to everyone!
Sherry Ricchiardi: Thank you all for your excellent comments and questions. One thing for sure, journalists around the world speak a common professional language. We clearly saw evidence of that today. Hope we meet again during a web chat.
Comment [davor]: Sherry, hope to see you soon in Croatia
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): That is all the time we have for today. We would like to thank Mr. Folwell and Dr. Ricchiardi for answering so many questions. We would also like to thank our audience participating. This chat is now closed. A transcript of this chat will be available in one to two days here and on our Facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov. Feel free to send any comments or questions to conx@state.gov or write on our facebook wall. Be sure to check out our Facebook page for our other World Press Freedom transcripts as well as upcoming events.
(Guests are chosen for their expertise and may not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.)
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