What’s the relationship between print and web? Is the death of newspapers near? This was the agenda set by Myrta Merlino, of Effetto Domino and La7, on which
Giulio Anselmi, president of ANSA elaborated in his keynote speech on April 16 in the Teatro del Pavone.
The crisis of printed press is so severe it’ll hardly be able to survive unless it changes, Mr Anselmi stated. Print production is expensive and many people, not just the young, prefer other means of consuming information, like the iPad. Various marketing initiatives, such as including free books or DVDs, or reducing size, have proved unsuccessful. The time devoted to traditional media has changed, and so has its audience. In Italy, these processes are slower than in the US, but still remain significant.
The social role of newspapers has also changed, Mr Anselmi pointed out. Their functions – publishing stock exchange data, classifieds, obituaries etc. – have been taken over by new online competition, resulting in important economic loss. This, in turn, has led to a standardization of media products and a focus on quantity rather than quality of news. No doubt, our new, fast-pace lifestyle demands the speed that only the web can provide. However, speed must not compromise accuracy, Anselmi warned, suggesting that many online news sites, especially blogs, tend to be vague. Also, length doesn’t equal in-depth coverage, as many mainstream journalists like to think.
Mr Anselmi mentioned the tendency of Italian magnates to exploit newspapers to gain more power. Italian papers have often been pets, not watchdogs for democracy, Anselmi said, eliciting huge applause from the audience. He sees the core of the problem in infotainment: by turning information into entertainment, journalists manage to bypass delicate issues.
There have been two approaches to journalism in Italy: one calls for taking sides, the other, represented by Mr Anselmi, prefers objectivity, that is, staying as close as possible to reality, and separating facts from opinions. He observed that the web, generally regarded more forward-thinking and flexible than print, is a favorable environment for biased coverage.
Mr Anselmi admitted the importance of the opportunities the internet provides, like citizen journalism. On the other hand, he emphasized the importance of quality news: no multimedia will improve poor information.
Will journalists become extinct? If they carry on doing exactly what they are, they might as well, but this is unlikely – Mr Anselmi concluded his speech.
As for Myrta Merlino’s question on how to add value to news regarded as commodities, Mr Anselmi emphasized fact-checking, accuracy and overall quality of news, even in today’s fast-paced, competitive environment. And, above all, objectivity (though he admitted to be in minority with that opinion).
Answering questions from the audience, Mr Anselmi expressed pessimistic views about whether the current situation in Italian media will improve anytime soon. Major players are not interested in changing the status quo, he said. There’s no well-grounded criticism against Berlusconi, that would be in favor of democracy, not just to contest his power. In response to another question, he observed bluntly: objectivity cannot be made attractive, it often will not please readers – it’s rather a self-rewarding virtue.
The last question inquired whether the death of print is due to a generation of overpaid journalists who are not willing to give up on their comfortable positions. Mr Anselmi acknowledged he’s one of those journalists, having been editor at various important papers for decades. He admitted it’s difficult to let go of privileges, but also suggested many young journalists only want those privileges, and not the work that goes with them. In a recommendation to the journalists of the future, he stressed: it’s a real job, to be taken seriously and practiced day by day.
Gabriella Vas