Last but not least: Modestly educated journalists are sheep, the economy is the shepherd
In the private broadcasting sector, it is mainly journalists with limited training and financial resources who are running amok—with no trace of quality assurance. Taken out of context, the findings of two studies are causing a storm in the Swiss media landscape.
In private broadcasting, it is mainly journalists with poor training and financial resources who are on the rampage - not a trace of quality assurance. Taken out of context, the results of two studies are causing a storm in the Swiss media landscape.
The results of two studies ordered by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) are devastating. Since fall 2006, media professionals and quality assurance in private radio and private television have been scrutinized. According to an OFCOM press release, the University of Zurich has concluded that private radio journalists are young, professionally inexperienced and poorly paid, that they have a relatively low level of education and are poorly trained for their profession. On the other hand, the Winterthur University of Applied Sciences claims that quality assurance instruments are in place, but are not widely applied. In addition, a low sensitivity for the possibility of profiling through quality can be identified and a strong orientation towards business concerns and recipient interests ensures a diffuse concept of quality.
OFCOM intends to use the results to reformulate the performance mandates for the reallocation of private broadcasting licenses. Reactions from the media are not long in coming. According to the Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP), the data collection is methodologically questionable and the results are not very meaningful. In addition, the Gazette points out in a press release that only the production structure and working conditions were examined. The actual program of the radio stations was not recorded at all.
The fact is: regional broadcasters have always trained young journalists who have "bigger" goals. Very few of them are content with a career at a backwoods city paper. The majority, however, are happy if a regional broadcaster gives them a start. The media cannot be viewed out of the economic context and, like traditional companies, must rely on cheaper, inexperienced but nevertheless clever and willing to learn workers. The result is impressive, because the diversity of media as we know it would be unthinkable without unbiased, creative newcomers. Generation internship, ahoy!
The results of two studies ordered by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) are devastating. Since fall 2006, media professionals and quality assurance in private radio and private television have been scrutinized. According to an OFCOM press release, the University of Zurich has concluded that private radio journalists are young, professionally inexperienced and poorly paid, that they have a relatively low level of education and are poorly trained for their profession. On the other hand, the Winterthur University of Applied Sciences claims that quality assurance instruments are in place, but are not widely applied. In addition, a low sensitivity for the possibility of profiling through quality can be identified and a strong orientation towards business concerns and recipient interests ensures a diffuse concept of quality.
OFCOM intends to use the results to reformulate the performance mandates for the reallocation of private broadcasting licenses. Reactions from the media are not long in coming. According to the Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP), the data collection is methodologically questionable and the results are not very meaningful. In addition, the Gazette points out in a press release that only the production structure and working conditions were examined. The actual program of the radio stations was not recorded at all.
The fact is: regional broadcasters have always trained young journalists who have "bigger" goals. Very few of them are content with a career at a backwoods city paper. The majority, however, are happy if a regional broadcaster gives them a start. The media cannot be viewed out of the economic context and, like traditional companies, must rely on cheaper, inexperienced but nevertheless clever and willing to learn workers. The result is impressive, because the diversity of media as we know it would be unthinkable without unbiased, creative newcomers. Generation internship, ahoy!
