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Phoenix666 writes:

"Clickbait" is an oft-used epithet on Soylent. Is the practice killing journalism?

In an age overwhelmed with clickbait stories, where clicks mean money, is mainstream journalism losing its relevance? And are there any alternative sustainable business models, which allow professional journalists the freedom to produce meaningful and balanced journalism?

These were some of the questions put to a panel of TV and radio directors from across the globe at the UNESCO's Journalism Under Fire Colloquium, recently held in Paris.

[...]

Jimenez argued that the click business model was poisoning media.

"We are often looking for stupid or irrelevant stories for large amount of clicks to increase our income," he said. "Look right now at the top newspaper websites and you'll find many stories about cats, about the different ways of cooking some meal, or whether Lady Diana was taller than her husband."

Giles Trendle, Al Jazeera's acting managing director, agreed that the media was challenged by the proliferation of new platforms and mediums.

But, he said, engaging with new technologies should not necessarily mean losing one's soul.

"Hold firm to your editorial principles, which is a valid business model in itself. We have to champion what we do as quality, credible, balanced journalism that is factual and comprehensive, and cherish our editorial integrity," Trendle said.

The fundamentals of "quality journalism" will eventually prevail over the low-grade "yellow journalism", he added.

Or is publishing corporate PR press releases as news more responsible?

Original Submission