SPECIAL REPORT: Still young and female: A (modest) survey of New Zealand journalists

Abstract

Modelled on earlier national surveys of 1987 and 1994, this 2003 survey polled New Zealand journalists on their educational background, formal training, experiences on the job and professional development. Even though the returns (297) were fewer than expected, those participating provided useful insights into the profession. Participants responded to questions about changing aspects of journalism (such as the impact of the internet, and the consequences of commercial pressures on newsgathernig), which are compared with American journalists responding to the same questions. They also responded to questions about the use of te reo language and coverage of Maori news and issues. Despite the contraints of the same size, there is ample evidence in this survey to show young New Zealand journalists take their profession seriously, and demonstrate a willingness to address the imperfections and shortcomings of the Fourth Estate.

Constructing health news: possibilities for a civic-oriented journalism

“…New Zealand journalists treasure traditional norms of balance and objectivity in reporting on issues of the day (Lealand, 2004). For instance, our participants all referred to 'balanced reporting' as a primary professional ethic.…”

`Human clones talk about their lives': media representations of assisted reproductive and biogenetic technologies

“…Such stories require less time to research and write, and are often emotionally compelling and highly 'readable', making them attractive to a general audience and in turn boosting sales (Cook, 1998and Patterson, 2001, as cited in Nisbet et al, 2003. Further, in the New Zealand context, competition for market share is especially fierce (Bell, 1995;Lealand, 2004), and decisions about which 'frame' or angle to adopt are often informed by an underlying economic imperative of attracting and keeping readers, the basis of considerable advertising revenue (Underwood, 2001;Weingart, 1998). Thus, established news values, media frames and economic imperatives fuel an increasing reliance on 'marketoriented' and 'soft news' stories emphasizing emotion, sensation and drama (Nisbet et al, 2003;Underwood, 2001).…”

“…Frequently, professional journalistic values of balance and objectivity are set aside in favour of a heavy reliance on reproducing the largely unchallenged self-representations and commentary of medical and scientific 'experts' (see Lewenstein, 1995;Nelkin, 1987;Nisbet and Lewenstein, 2002;Smart, 2003), possibly reflecting a lack of experience and scientific knowledge among local journalists (Lealand, 2004), who may not know whom to ask for independent confirmation or a divergent opinion (Friedman, 1986;Nelkin, 1987). Indeed, such is the authority conveyed to these 'experts' that independent confirmation is often regarded as unnecessary: as Nelkin (1987) suggests, journalists often regard science as 'the ultimate authority' (see also Hansen, 1994;Karpf, 1988, cited in Petersen, 2001.…”

Diversity reportage in Aotearoa: Demographics and the rise of the ethnic media

“…Almost three decades ago, the then Department of Māori and Pacific Island Affairs and the Journalists Training Board linked up to run a series of five-day introductory journalism courses for Māori and Pasifika students (Wilson, 2005). This programme, continued for much of the 1980s, had been a response to a national survey of journalists which then indicated that just under two percent of New Zealand's journalists were Māori or Pacific Islander (Lealand, 1988). This initiative was followed in 1985 with the establishment of a full-time journalism course primarily for Māori students at Waiariki Polytechnic.…”