Journalists believe media diversity is under threat

OVER THREE-QUARTERS of journalists believe media diversity is under threat as media ownership becomes increasingly concentrated among fewer organisations and individuals, a survey has found.

A separate survey, also published yesterday, found 80 per cent of adults believed radio news was sometimes biased towards the views of the stations’ owners.

Commissioned by Craol, a representative body for community radio stations, the research was carried out by Red C and involved telephone interviews with over 1,000 adults.

It also found 93 per cent of adults believed community radio had a positive social benefit.

In the survey of journalists, one fifth (20.3 per cent) of respondents said media owners had an editorial influence on their work.

While half (49.5 per cent) believed the internet was providing a greater outlet for media practitioners and therefore greater diversity, 61 per cent agreed regulation of the print media was needed.

Some 100 print, broadcast and on-line journalists took part in the survey, which was commissioned by Nessa Childers, MEP and carried out in conjunction with the National Union of Journalists.

Ms Childers said journalists were “clearly” concerned about diversity in their work.

“This survey raises further questions about what are the implications for journalistic independence given the emergence and dominance of global media corporations and media conglomerates here in Ireland.

Ms Childers will host a conference today in Dublin titled Media diversity: why does it matter?

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte is among those addressing the conference.