The Future of News

24 Mar 2010

Seven panellists discuss whether or not free online content is killing journalism.

Andrew Neil says that he doesn't think 'free' is on the rampage, and points out that many US newspapers are lazy, complacent big city monopolies which haven't faced competition for two generations and deserve to be in trouble.

Turi Munthe discusses how the internet enables people in conflict zones to map out the crisis, and how Egyptian bloggers are helping to expose police brutality.

A A Gill is dismissive of citizen journalism, and asks whether you'd want a citizen dentist.

Claire Enders pointed out that, on average, people spend 30 minutes a month browsing free news, while those who buy a paper read it for 30 minutes a day.

Talking about the pressing need to find a viable charging model, David Elstein says that, if you don't know what your product is worth, you can't expect the public to tell you.

Matthew Parris says that it is the message which is important, not the medium - the internet is just another way of writing things down.

Jacob Weisberg says that journalists are living in a golden age, and that we have a unique opportunity to influence the millions who read English around the world.

After the speeches there is a lively Q&A session.

The result of a show of hands from the audience at the end of the event suggested that independent journalism will survive the advent of the new media.

A full audio podcast of this event is available now.

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