1. Why does Clay Shirky argue that 'accountability journalism' is so important and what example does he give of this?
Clay Shirky argues that accountability journalism is important because of the impact it has on an audience. These journalists are those that will investigate a possible story and combine findings with other journalists to formulate a powerful article to challenge corrupt people with power. Its a classic example of iron core journalism where they are assigned to a possible development of a story and would have to begin investigating.
2.What does Shirky say about the relationship between newspapers and advertisers? Which websites does he mention as having replaced major revenue-generators for newspapers (e.g. jobs, personal ads etc.)?
Newspapers can't make as much profit through advertisement even if people were still buying newspapers. Newspaper were able to charge premium prices to businesses who wanted to advertise in their newspapers because there weren't many substitutes for advertisers to go to. This meant that newspapers could generate a healthy amount of revenue from businesses desperate to promote their products and services. IMB and AT&T.
3. Shirky talks about the 'unbundling of content'. This means people are reading newspapers in a different way. How does he suggest audiences are consuming news stories in the digital age?
People in the past would be only be able to read what institutions has printed on their newspapers so wouldn't have much of a choice on what they want to view. This may be seen as a disadvantage now because of the way digital media works but it meant that people's knowledge on a variety of topics would better as they have limited choices on what to read. Shirky gives an example of digital media being able to recommend stories or activities similar to the ones readers view so a website would allow a user to do another crossword once they finished the first.
4. Shirky also talks about the power of shareable media. How does he suggest the child abuse scandal with the Catholic Church may have been different if the internet had been widespread in 1992?
The case revealed the abuse in the Catholic Church and people were horrified by the situation but it eventually died down and people forgot about it. Shirky believes that the web wouldn't have had the reaction from the Geoghan case in 1992 but many good effects in limiting the Catholic Church's ability to continue doing this were a result of the public reuse of the documents in ways that were simply not possible in 1992 and had become not just available but trivial by 2000. By 2002 sharing of media content would allow people forward news stories again to whoever they want. This would allow most people to be informed on World affairs.
5. Why does Shirky argue against paywalls?
He says the fact that audiences have the power to publish news themselves through citizen journalism or blogs would impact the introduction of a paywall. It would mean that more people will be content with only viewing some of a story especially if it is a preferred reading. Shirky believes that citizen journalism shouldn't be banned because it helps the World come to justice where these professional journalists wouldn't be able to help.
6. What is a 'social good'? In what way is journalism a 'social good'?
A social good in this context would be a service, which would be newspapers, that helps society by informing them on news. Journalism is a social good because it provides society with the news that is/could be relevant to them in articles which can be accessed through newspapers or online. This means that they want the people of countries to have knowledge on current affairs so they can feel connected and form opinions political, social, economical etc views.
7. Shirky says newspapers are in terminal decline. How does he suggest we can replace the important role in society newspapers play? What is the short-term danger to this solution that he describes?
Accountability journalism is the only way people will stay engaged with newspapers. This is because these journalists would carry out investigations which could expose people in power doing illegal actions. It provides people with good quality news that people really want to hear instead of short immediate news stories.
8. Look at the first question and answer regarding institutional power. Give us your own opinion: how important is it that major media brands such as the New York Times or the Guardian continue to stay in business and provide news?
Accountability journalism is needed for society as these journalists are no other and want to provide us with the most impacting news stories. They can expose corrupt people and systems like they have in past because of the thorough investigation they hold. This is where journalism is a social good and not ordinary journalism which reports pointless and irrelevant news at constant rates. I believe New York Times and The Guardian are significant institutions as they will develop the skills of accountability journalism and could potentially reinforce/promote it. If readers see a story from one of these institutions, they would be more likely to believe it. Especially because of the possible increase in the number of good quality stories being published.
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