I love quotations. They are windows into the minds of scientists, philosophers, writers, performers, politicians and even, occasionally, athletes.
The impending sense of discovery makes scrolling through quotes exciting. Whenever I stumble across a really great quote I’m reminded that well written words are as much a medium for discovery as they are a means of communication. The most profound quotations seem to cram the most truth into the fewest words – and in doing so make the hidden appear obvious.
Consider this insight from Keith F. Lynch:
“I’ve noticed that the press tends to be quite accurate, except when they’re writing on a subject I know something about.”
Brilliant!
Writing should affect us. If it does not take us somewhere it is dead words on dead trees.
My foray into journalism has convinced me that mainstream media is broken. Far too often reporting on sport is allowed to blur into a grey mass of monotony.
Part of the problem is the system in which journalists operate. They have to produce a constant stream of content designed to steer readers into an ambush of internet advertisements.
I can’t help but feel that this focus on quantity has ushered in a corresponding drop in quality.
I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when I was interviewed for a national newspaper. Typically conversations with journalists are rushed affairs that rarely tend to reach any real depth. This particular interview went about three minutes during which I answered a number of questions on a range of issues.
Two days later I was disappointed and frustrated to see my name attached to a headline that completely misinterpreted my views. To his credit the reporter contacted me to apologise for a headline which he apparently did not select.
My experience is not unique. Athletes are routinely infuriated by the way in which their words are cherry picked to align with a narrative they did not choose. A narrative often designed to fill space and sell product rather than inform the public.
Many athletes react to being misrepresented by falling back on conservative cliches, sanitised statements and talking points designed to safely navigate the sound-bite world of modern media.
This approach invariably produces a paradoxical reaction – whereby denying the media access only increases the extent to which they become creative with the facts. This is how journalists given nothing always manage to write something.
Compromise is the only way to end this Mexican standoff between journalists and athletes.
And compromise cannot come soon enough because the current system is failing. It fails reporters who yearn to tell interesting stories. It fails athletes who want their views accurately expressed. And it fails readers who want to gain genuine insight into the people who play the sport they love.
It is odd that sports reporting has remained largely unchanged for decades. A radical shift is needed in the way we think about journalism – a shift that is sympathetic to the new landscape social media has created.
When Nick Cummins wanted to speak directly to his fans about his relocation to Japan, he did so via photo-sharing and social networking service Instagram.
Traditional media platforms no longer own the bridge between athletes and the public. Like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook have cut out the middle man and given fans and athletes unprecedented access to each other.
Additionally, websites like The Roar have recognised the opportunity to connect athletes and administrators with a large, consolidated fan-base.
Despite the changes, one thing remains clear. Those passionate about stories will always play a vital role communicating them.
This Brumbies team – like all groups – is a deep well of powerful, inspiring and important stories just waiting to be told. To reveal these stories requires an innovative approach to media content. It requires an understanding that a story is often only as interesting as the people it contains.
Anthony
Roar Rookie
CR you nailed this point and it is incredible as I was making a similar point to Brett McKay. Only yesterday I watched a report by Auntie on Bathurst. It was the most woeful ordinary story, that said nothing for the most drama filled race, it said nothing for the reporter and said nothing for Auntie who I would otherwise rate. Mainstream media is failing and a site like the Roar is filling the void by combining passionate accurate and thoughtful reporting and commentary with interaction with fans and enthusiasts. Well done Roar. This combines well with Social Media as well, because you can follow a story as it unfolds via your fellow sports fans and your favourite commentators. Cheers Roar Journo's. Keep up the great coverage. Well done CR, on a very articulate article.
Aussie in London
Guest
Completely with you on your last 2 points Colin. The quality of the reporting and opinion pieces on the Roar are extraordinary, and I couldn't congratulate them enough. I love how not only do you have respected professionals, but it's open to all to contribute and comment, which is very unique and makes it more open, discerning and a much better product. OK, sometimes we get a bit railroaded and I'm thinking the Link vs. Deans coaching debates amongst others that went round-and-round, but by enlarge it's this ability to communicate and educate (it's definitely educated me more on Union than anything else) that makes it so much better than the general media's coverage trying to be everything to everyone.
Margaret freemantle
Guest
All the more reason for Clyde Rathbone to write for mainstream media! Please - it might challenge others to similar excellence!
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
The only way quality journalism will return is if we the reader are prepared to pay for it, as you would for a book. Sadly the vast majority of people nowadays expect news for free. The Murdochs are forced to source revenue from alternative streams and we find ourselves reading CR's brilliant article and nodding in agreement. If everyone who accesses news on the web were to sign up for just one paid for website it would make a huge difference to the state of the industry. People shouldn't think of it as a $30 subscription (or however much they pay) for that particular website but as a subscription to all the sites they access (that's only about 3 pints over here in Perth!). I can report some positive news though. I work in marketing/PR and supply journalists in the business sections with news they use in their articles and over the last 12 months I have seen and dealt with a growing number of independent subscription only service providers that are getting a good following (20,000+), in other words people are prepared to pay for quality. It's a small step but one that shows the public is prepared to put its hand in its pocket and this may hopefully inspire someone with deep enough pockets (needed to launch the product) to have a go at something similar for sports fans!
Stellenbosched
Guest
For me, professional rugby players are there to play great rugby. Full stop. They are neither roll models nor heroes. The point about the Brumbies team having many stories waiting to be discovered is interesting. However, any gathering of supporters will have just as many interesting stories to tell. I don't see any top rugby players in any way motivated to hear those fans stories at all. Their pumped up ego's and sense of self-worth remains a barrier.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Great comment.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
That is quite an idea. You might be right, you know. I would suggest they'll come back for a few weeks, but if it persisted, they'd leave for greener pastures. I think it's a trust thing.
Redbull
Guest
Sheek, the Australian banks on the mindlessness of the great unwashed. It is intentionally divisive and blurs news and opinion. It is not in the same league as AFR for covering politics
Redbull
Guest
Clyde Rarhbone is breaking? Oh, the old eats shoots and leaves dilemma
Harry Jones
Guest
Horror story from France with machetes! What is this????
Harry Jones
Guest
We deserve better.
Harry Jones
Guest
Wynne Gray of the NZ Herald is a 100% rugby man, and seems to appreciate skill and heart from any team. Also seems to interview guys well. Gregor Paul, his colleague, seems very one-eyed. Stuff.co.nz has some good coverage, but is very provincial. Rugby Heaven from SMH is not bad?
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Nice, Patrick, and it's not too late. A tactic I notice on news.com.au is that they just change the title of the same article from time to time. I'm not sure why but they've started writing "this article was initially published under the title ..........." Which gives it away a little. Or so I've heard, I don't read news.com.au naturally.....
Sylvester
Guest
It seems Clyde was upset by the headline - not written by the reporter - and not the article itself so I can only assume his comments are based his overall experiences across his career. I feel he and other sportspeople are victims of a media their industry [pro sport] helped create. I can barely stand to read sports stories these days because the comments from players are so dull and lacking imagination. It's little wonder the media seize on any interesting tidbit. Open and honest players would probably result in equally open and honest journalism. Too much stage management from PR hacks worried about "the brand" if people say anything "off message" methinks.
Simoc
Guest
I like the geographical reference. The silly names get to mean something then.
Wasn't me, I promise ;)
Cam Avery
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more. There is so much rubbish out there, the NZ Herald is terrible at times. Here is one of their rugby articles from a week or so ago: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11292799
In Brief
Guest
The number one problem with journalism is that it is topical. That means only currenty events are covered, not important events which may have longer term implications. The second problem with journalism is that it is formulaic, and required to meet stylistic guidelines for commerical, not journalistic reasons. The third problem with journalism is that it is a closed shop and there is no room for independent views. This means that important issues which affect us all are never covered. The illustrate my point consider the Barangaroo Development. The 'important' issue here is how due process wasn't followed. Why the international panel's decision to award the concept plan to an independent architecture group was unilaterally overturned at Paul Keating's behest in favour of Lend Lease. The impact was huge - 50% additional floor space, loss of public access on what is public land and ultimately a dubai style casino. Oh, and of course the gentrification of Millers' Point and The Rocks (remember the Green Bans, those residents we saved our now being kicked out of the Sirius Building into which they were funnelled). Instead of reading investigative reports on this lack of due process we get the daily 'topical' issues related to the site which come and go on a weekly basis.
stillmatic1
Guest
well, how does anyone know that you are mal boyd? and should anyone necessarily care that your name is mal boyd? and who on here is going to trawl through the white pages, ringing up every mal boyd in the country or world? surely a point is relevant or important based on the merits of the point made. aristotle or anonymous, why should it matter?
Bakkies
Guest
The fact is that Australia has an ageing population which your older relatives are a part of. When they are gone that could be the nadir for print media in Australia.