Show script:
BSA Survey Has Bad News For Media
The Broadcasting Standards Authority thought they would do a survey “exploring public expectations around news content and factors that may help improve trust in New Zealand’s news media.”
You and I could probably have saved them the survey money (which is taxpayer money, by the way), because we already know the answer.
But it was what the survey told the BSA about where we get our news from that should be really worrying our legacy media.
Research shows that public trust in media has rightly fallen in recent years. We all know this. We all know why.
In 2020, 53% of New Zealanders trusted news in general. That figure is now at 32%. 21 percentage point drop. Just 1 in 3 NZ’ers trust “most of the news most of the time”. So that’s not even “fully trust”.
Now according to the BSA chief executive Stacey Wood when releasing their report last week, she says
“Divisive events like COVID-19, US elections, global conflicts, local political and cultural issues, and ethnic stereotypes in news coverage have contributed to diminished trust. Emotionally charged views, perceived bias and misinformation from some sources affect views of the trustworthiness of information and reporting.”
No – our views are affected by crap and biased media reporting. You’re right. We don’t trust you. When you blame “US elections” and “ethnic stereotypes”, it shows just how removed from reality you are.
However, it’s vital in a functioning democracy that people have access to reliable, accurate news media – and have trust in the information they receive through media channels. The research findings suggest trust is easier to lose than to regain, and solutions are not simple.
Correct, but the media are doing nothing to regain that trust.
“There are signs trust levels are stabilising, and media are taking active steps to improve trust.”
Ha ha, good one.
So what did they survey find.
When asked to select from a list, the top factors that survey participants say improve trust in media are:
- reporting supported by credible, cited evidence
- neutral (unbiased) reporting
- in-depth reporting allowing a good understanding of issues
- mistakes acknowledged and corrected promptly
- reporting in a balanced manner showing ALL perspectives
- accurate headlines which reflect the story
- difference between opinion pieces and news is made clear
- over time, issues are reported in a balanced manner showing ALL perspectives
Well, as we know, they failed miserably at that when it came to the cannabis referendum, the abortion debate, the COVID mandates protest at Parliament, COVID in general, and the conversion therapy bill debate.
Failed miserably.
We have the receipts for that.
People are screaming out for unbiased reporting – not opinion – which shows ALL perspectives.
That, in a nutshell, is why trust in the media is tanking.
The BSA report says that the leading factors are cited relatively consistently across demographics and in relation to different types of news platforms.
The survey also offered some interesting insights into how audiences consume news – and this is where the legacy media should be freaking – and why they hate social media.
- 82% of those surveyed are ‘moderately’, ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ interested in the news.
- Most seek a range of sources (on average three) for their regular news.
There’s your first red flag for the media. Note that the younger generations are not checking the news that often compared to the oldies. Around half of those in the 18-24 and 25-34 age brackets are not checking it every day. Maybe just a couple of times a week. Even less. 10% don’t even use it.
But this next graph is the one to freak the media out
- Traditional TV and radio continue to be used regularly by around half of the population.
So it is the older respondents keeping the news websites alive – but even then 1 in 3 aren’t going near them regularly, and it’s even less for 6pm news. I’ve circled the oldies who are keeping 1News and StuffedNews alive – just. Maybe they’re napping through it.
But looks at where Gen Z and younger millennials are going.
- Over three-quarters of younger respondents use social media regularly as a source of news; over half say it is the source they use most often.
This is why the legacy media hate social media.
And the left and the disinformation alarmists and the woke academics hate social media because it distracts from their ability to use legacy media to push their narrative.
This graph may be just the reason that younger generations are becoming more conservative. They’re getting their sources of information from various places – not just the legacy media – so they’re actually no longer being brainwashed by left wing narratives and indoctrination.
Am I wrong on this?
That’s why the boss of the BSA complains and says
“Emotionally charged views, perceived bias and misinformation from some sources affect views of the trustworthiness of information and reporting.”
She’s of course referring to social media.
The lamestream media should be freaking – not just because they’re losing trust, but they’re also losing the next generation, and their ability to influence them.
And that’s a great thing.
I just want to finish with two quick recent examples of how bad the media is.
Whenever the drug issue comes up, it is coordinated. By the organisations and with the media.
So earlier this week, the Helen Clark Foundation comes out with a report and says we need to liberalise the drug laws and the media fall over their heels and talk about it, even though they don’t actually seem to have read the report, and which actually contradicts their narrative.
The report shows that New Zealanders want enforcement, they want prevention but they would also like some help for those addicted and who want help.
And on cue the media come out in force to promote it
A week before, it was the Drug Foundation coming out with the same thing – we need to liberalise the drug laws.
Once again, full marketing by the media.
Just before that, we then have an article talking about medicinal cannabis and apparently it’s picking on women. Well, no, it’s not. It’s just that nobody wants to invest in medicinal cannabis in New Zealand because it’s not that great a market and it hasn’t proven itself. So it’s nothing to do with women. It’s actually about the viability of the business.
And then just this week, following all this lead in by the media and the Drug Foundation and the Helen Clark Foundation,
the Greens want to talk about legalising cannabis again, and here we go, our favourite friend, Chloe. It’s been five years of wailing and gnashing of teeth since the no -vote won, and so they want to harvest some emails and do a petition.
And it’s promoted by our taxpayer funded Radio NZ.
If you haven’t figured this out, this is just a constant campaign. The groups get together and think, okay, let’s go for it. Five year anniversary. You go first, Drug Foundation, Helen Clark Foundation will put out a report next. Greens, you do the petition and the media are all on side.
Meanwhile, we put out a statement opposing all this nonsense – and the media is nowhere to be seen or heard.
Remember what the survey told the BSA?
issues are reported in a balanced manner showing ALL perspectives
Just one other example of why our news media is in freefall.
I can still remember back in the day when the news media had respect and credibility, and the 7pm slot on TV1 used to be top-notch investigative journalism.
Names such as * Sir Paul Holmes * Susan Wood * Mark Sainsbury * Mike Hosking & Toni Street
It’s been all downhill since then – in a similar direction to trust levels.
Wednesday night’s serving revealed just how bad it has got.
This is Seven Sharp. At 7.25pm. When kids are still possibly watching – hopefully not though.
The news media are losing trust, they’re losing the next generation, and they’re doing everything they can to lose respect.
