In a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Alan Sunderland, a former editorial director at the ABC, put his finger on the ethical crisis facing the media: “In 2023, you can’t talk about the problems of the world without talking about polarisation, disinformation and conflict. The media, far from being seen as a solution to those problems, is generally recognised as being part of them.”
Everyone paying any attention knows he’s right. According to the latest Reuters Digital New report trust in news is falling and active avoidance of the news media remains high. When Q&A presenter Stan Grant recently quit the ABC he said he feared that by working in the media he was becoming part of the problem. (He’s since signed up to lead a project at Monash University aimed at furthering constructive journalism.)
