Peter Bale - judge creates "Streisand effect": curated media, and journalism news, and some thoughts
I try not to put too much slightly obscure New Zealand material in this but this case is so extraordinary and bonkers and fits also with issues of defamation and the absence of something like the First Amendment in Britain and Commonwealth countries. The judge is being incredibly silly in my view and undermining the sensible if overdue, apology her son made.
I don't know this chap well really but he makes an interesting point. We do have to think about how we contribute to debate and issues without actually preventing journalism doing its job as the "first rough draft".
Yes, culture is immensely important but journalists also need to get with the programme, adapt and get on with modernity and technology and understanding diversity. All of it. Fast. I am surprised these are still issues, and I know I say that as an older person of a certain gender etc.
No real comment here other than to note that I know many of the Google people driving connections with news and they are mostly honest and good but of course are connected to the corporate value news delivers. They generally do great work and journos need not become supplicants.
As the channel faces the threat of privatisation, there is deep anxiety inside Channel 4 News.
Ian is a real sage. It would be a tragedy to lose what C4 represents, not just C4 news. These people keep doing an astounding job but I suspect it is too late and the philistines of this government are going to ruin them: next stop is neutering the BBC which is often quite capable of neutering itself, which is another reason why C4 News has been so valuable in the public interest.
The reason I include this is that I had some dealings with Brad at Microsoft and since I was there. He is really connected and thoughtful about big issues and a hugely impressive thinker. It is hard sometimes with tech people for them to realise others have come before them: not him.
Open Democracy has done some astoundingly impactful journalism while not strictly being a journalism organisation. I respect that. The fact the government, especially the former journalist Michael Gove, has tried to undermine their work only adds evidence as to its impact.
More valuable thoughts from a small "l" liberal and capital "J" journalist on how we might try to guard against what Americans call "bothsiding".