Reflecting on this with the benefit of sleep and consideration.
I cannot conceive of an editorial meeting in which a Serbian anti-vaxxer’s prima donna antics are ranked over the largest volcanic eruption in nearly half a century knocking an entire neighbouring nation offline.
I cannot conceive of an editorial meeting in which a Serbian anti-vaxxer’s prima donna antics are ranked over the largest volcanic eruption in nearly half a century knocking an entire neighbouring nation offline.
https://twitter.com/dailypostdan/status/1482249673154994176
Look, sheer spectacle alone should have done it. There was ample vision of massive explosions echoing over hundreds of kilometres, and jaw-dropping satellite imagery.
Ignoring all other concerns: This is great television.
And *then* we can talk about human interest….
Ignoring all other concerns: This is great television.
And *then* we can talk about human interest….
Or rather, audience:
The Pacific island diaspora in Australia is hundreds of thousands strong, according to ANU’s Jame Batley. That’s a massive demographic, surely worthy of at least 2 minutes prime time.
And then, there’s national interest….
The Pacific island diaspora in Australia is hundreds of thousands strong, according to ANU’s Jame Batley. That’s a massive demographic, surely worthy of at least 2 minutes prime time.
And then, there’s national interest….
It is more than likely that the ADF will mobilise to assist. Australian Aid are working 24/7 to prepare a response. DFAT and diplomatic staff will be trying to determine the fate of Australians trapped in the middle of this, and helping connect Tongans with their families.
And—forgive my callousness this far—there is the human component.
A nation is going through a traumatic moment in its history. Ignoring economics, geopolitics, demographics, audience metrics….
It’s the right thing to do.
Instead, we get a double serving of Selfish Serbs.
A nation is going through a traumatic moment in its history. Ignoring economics, geopolitics, demographics, audience metrics….
It’s the right thing to do.
Instead, we get a double serving of Selfish Serbs.
To sum up:
Looking at this with the coldest, most jaundiced eye I can muster at this moment in time, I cannot conceive of an editorial discussion that does not run Tonga higher on the bill than tennis.
I can’t find any objective argument that even remotely equates the two.
Looking at this with the coldest, most jaundiced eye I can muster at this moment in time, I cannot conceive of an editorial discussion that does not run Tonga higher on the bill than tennis.
I can’t find any objective argument that even remotely equates the two.
This is a massive editorial own goal by ABC News. It erodes trust among its international audience, who look to it as an example to guide media across the region.
It does a disservice to its audience, leaving it dumber, more preoccupied with human petulance than global events.
It does a disservice to its audience, leaving it dumber, more preoccupied with human petulance than global events.
I have contributed professionally to ABC. I know and like—and admire—many of its hard-working professionals. I respect the massive burden they’ve taken on. I understand the constraints of media markets and the vagaries of national interest.
So all I’ll say is Do Better. Please.
So all I’ll say is Do Better. Please.
Post Scriptum:
TV1 in New Zealand ran a solid 2 minute piece with up to the minute reporting, a pre-recorded cross, and compelling vision.
They have updated several times since then, and run it high on the bill.
It’s not hard. It only takes a simple editorial decision.
TV1 in New Zealand ran a solid 2 minute piece with up to the minute reporting, a pre-recorded cross, and compelling vision.
They have updated several times since then, and run it high on the bill.
It’s not hard. It only takes a simple editorial decision.
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