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Measures of trust or credibility are frequently cited as barometers of public value in media. In many countries - very many - trust and credibility have been slipping, sometimes crashing. Media critics have ascribed to these datasets proof that news media is finished and all journalists need to reach out for the Substack lifeboat for a few more years of sustenance before rowing to public relations. Hysterics and fantasy are good clickbait.
The annual media credibility survey was published by French newspaper La Croix this week (January 20). The public’s trust in media, sorted by platform, has generally trickled up since 2019, a low point after a high point in 2018 after a low point in 2017 after a high point in 2016. Face-to-face interviews with 1,016 persons 18 years and older in France were conducted in early January by Kantar Public Onepoint, which has compiled the annual report since 1987. (See more about media in France here)
Radio broadcasting and the printed press were deemed most credible in the 2022 survey, both holding 49%. Radio was slightly lower one year on, newspapers slightly higher. The television credibility rating was 44%, up from 42%. The internet, at 24% credibility, tracked in a separate universe - or metaverse.
There is, unsurprisingly, a huge age disparity. Over 35 year olds are firmly attached to television, 55% getting news first from the tube. The internet follows at 20%, then radio at 16%, then newspapers at 6%. Those under 35 years are clearly in that different world with 66% getting their first news from the internet, largely via the mobile phone. TV is next at 20%, then radio 6%, then newspapers at 2%. (See more about news media here)
According to the survey, 77% of French people support press freedom, expect reliable information (96%), prioritize quality (94%) and expect independence from political power and economic interests (92% and 91%, respectively). Alas, 62% do not believe the news media is politically independent with 59% questioning economic interests. Those following news “with great interest” has fallen to 62% from 67% year on year.
Reality/talent shows can be vastly popular. Participants, judges and hosts become instant celebrities. With that comes ego, money and anxieties. Creators of these shows had no idea what was coming.
The new season of very popular Voice of Holland talent show was unceremoniously suspended last weekend. The action by RTL Netherlands, primary broadcaster of the show, was in response to allegations of sexual misconduct by band leader Jeroen Rietbergen. He acknowledged this and resigned. The lead “coach” on the program, Anouk, also quit. Continuing into this week, it has been a soap opera. All is quiet at Studio 22 in Media City. (See more about reality/talent TV here)
You see, Mr. Rietbergen, until the weekend, was the partner of Linda de Mol, sister of John de Mol, creator of this and many other shows as head of production house Talpa Productions. A local YouTube channel blew the whistle. RTL Netherlands referred to the allegations as “very serious and shocking.” Current producer for the show, ITV Studios, brought The Voice of Holland and two derivative shows to an immediate halt. Ms de Mol said she would be suspending her TV career. (See more about media in the Netherlands here)
A spokesperson for Talpa, on RTL Nieuws, said they do not comment on “every event and expression.” However, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte weighed in, calling the revelations “unacceptable and unseemly,” quoted by de Telegraaf (January 18). "If it appears that criminal offenses have been committed, a report can be made and the Public Prosecution Service can institute prosecution."
UPDATE: Every instance of employee harassment, particularly of a sexual nature, is thoroughly reported by media outlets. In this case, Dutch media is no exception. Employers are expected to defend employees from all sorts of misconduct. This is the 21st Century.
John de Mol, Talpa Productions principal, leapt into the thick of it in an interview by saying his main problem is that women should “raise the alarm more quickly about sexually aggressive behaviors,” making no mention of the alleged perpetrators. “Women who work at Talpa placed a large advertisement in the AD with the text: 'Dear John, it is not the women's fault’, “ reported daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD) (January 21).
He quickly issued a press release. "I now understand that, contrary to my good intentions, I have disregarded the fact that I gave the impression, completely unintentionally, that I was blaming women. It has become clear to me that women will not report if the culture in a company is not experienced as safe enough. I blame myself that this is apparently the case in my company and I am going to commit myself 100 percent to change this.”
Very accustomed are we these days to outbursts by politicians on any number of subjects. Political leaning - left, right or whatever - matters not. It’s the headline that counts. Public broadcasting is a forever target. (See earlier story on amplified threats to the BBC by the UK Conservative Party here)
A statement surfaced from a spokesperson for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) political party in the German state (lander) of Saxony-Anhalt in favor of a proposal to “abolish the broadcaster Das Erste as an independent channel,” reported local newspaper Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (January 17). The idea came from CDU state media minister Rainer Robra, a longtime critic of the main national ARD channel, jointly produced by the nine regional public TV broadcasters. The intention, said CDU state parliamentary secretary Markus Kurz, is to create “Das Erste with a regional focus.” (See more about media in Germany here)
The Saxony-Anhalt CDU has grumbled in recent years over the size and scope of Das Erste. State Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) withdrew from an agreement among all German Lander (states) on public broadcast funding in 2020. The Federal Constitutional Court later deemed that action unconstitutional and the funding mechanism moved forward. Saxony-Anhalt was formed by the occupying Soviet Union after World War 2 and became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), which disappeared after 1990 reunification. In recent years Saxony-Anhalt has become a hot-bed for ultra-conservative politics and clear tensions with the rest of Germany.
“We are of the opinion that in public service broadcasting, minority opinions are often stronger than the opinion of the majority," added Herr Kurz. "For example, the broadcasters should not only let those who still want more and more climate protection have their say, but also those who have to pay for it.” He also complained about gender-neutral language common to major German broadcasters. "The broadcasters should avoid gendering and focus their energy on the core mission.” (See more about public broadcasting here)
Then the message changed. “Shutting down Das Erste” had never been discussed, said a quickly distributed statement from the Saxony-Anhalt CDU, reported Die Zeit (January 18). The CDU members of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament do, though, want to “relieve” small and medium businesses from the broadcast license fee. “There was never any mention of a shutdown in Mr. Robra’s statement,” said a spokesperson.
Political and media observers see a pattern. ”The CDU Saxony-Anhalt is again turning freely to the right,” said Green Party director Michael Kellner on social media. “An intact public broadcasting service is a cornerstone of our democracy.” To which German Association of Journalists (DJV) general secretary Frank Überall added: "The CDU in Saxony-Anhalt is once again questioning the existence and development guarantee of public service broadcasting, which has been repeatedly affirmed by the Federal Constitutional Court.”
Permeating many countries are culture wars, often described as “endless.” Some population segments feel distinct from others. Reacting to coronavirus health and safety proscriptions, for example, anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers have loudly turned out by the thousands extolling their right to infect others. They have other, sometimes related, issues and, without surprise, find support from populist politicians and the media owners they serve.
Over the weekend, UK Culture Minister Nadine Dorries launched another assault on UK public broadcaster BBC, announcing the “freezing” of license fee funding for the next two years and eliminating it altogether when the BBC Royal Charter must be renewed in 2017. Appointed by prime minister Boris Johnson last September Ms Dorries has been a vocal critic of the BBC as a populist, nativist Conservative Party member of parliament. “This license fee announcement will be the last,” she wrote on social media (January 16). (See more about the BBC here)
Right-wing elements in the UK have long railed about the BBC, mostly along culture war lines. The temperature has risen since the UK exited the European Union (Brexit), the Conservative Party’s headline act, generally seen as an economic mistake, and risen further under the continuous missteps by PM Johnson. Normal for politicians, blame has been placed on the BBC for being insufficiently subservient, which Ms Dorries described as an “impartiality problem.”
Some UK political and media observers referred to this next attack on the BBC as part of “Operation Red Meat,” a concerted effort by supporters of PM Johnson to bring forward culture war issues that excite voters. The BBC, said Ms Dorries, quoted by The Sun (January 17), must gain "the support of the UK and not just the London bubble.” The Sun is published by News UK, principally owned by the Murdoch family, long engaged in efforts to scale-down if not dry-up the BBC for their own competitive purposes. (See more about media in the UK here)
If that effort succeeds, to be on the dreary side, it would be another example of state capture of public media, following Hungary and Poland, both with populist, nativist rulers. Another attempt right-wing politicians to bring a public broadcaster to heel took place in Denmark. It didn’t end well for the politicians. Danish voters vigorously dissented, public broadcaster DR being quite popular, and chose a different government.
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