Richard Burton - 15/11/2007

[Huw Baines]

I don’t like the attitude of “we’re not wrong for long” and never will do. The ability to publish is no longer solely in the hands of a select few, but this should not mean that the facts are inconsequential next to the scramble for the “send” button. I understand the angle that Richard Burton was pitching to us, but preparing two stories for the outcome of a court case is a bit too cynical for my liking.

What happened to understanding the feelings around an event, the moods and the reactions to it? If I wrote two match reports for an FA cup final,one for each team winning, and filled in the gaps immediately after the final whistle I can guarantee that the real life of the game and the drama (or lack of) would be missing. The status of certain media providers as trusted sources is one that should not be abused in cynical attempts to break stories before their competition. It is true that we are all going to need to follow the example of broadcasters in providing news quickly and accurately, and I don’t see this as a bad thing. I hope however that there will be place for real analysis and comment alongside the fast delivery of news and facts.

The “print is not dead” message that preceded the talk is one of hope, and also one that I hope is true. The rush for the online scoop is on, but hopefully our generation can balance speed with accuracy and maintain the standards and ethics that have been a foundation for the profession for far more time than it takes to update a Ticker headline.