A university study has said what many newspaper commentators have been saying for years. According to a 120-page report by Cardiff school of journalism, media and cultural studies Trinity-Mirror's short-sighted policy to "minimise costs while maximising revenues" is endangering the newspapers it owns. Without investment, it says, the papers will die.
The report states: "Trinity Mirror faces a stark choice as it moves online. It can continue to make cuts with an eye on maintaining short-term profit margins and watch the quality of its news decline over time, or it can 'invest in journalism' with the aim of producing quality print and digital news products with a view to creating sustainable long-term profits."
The authors, Professor Bob Franklin and Dr Andrew Williams, say: "There's a strong consensus amongst media experts and journalists alike that the move from print to online has to properly funded, staffed, and resourced. If not, then the quality of existing newspapers as well as the new digital products will suffer."
Admittedly, their study mentions only the Trinity titles in Wales, such as the Western Mail & Echo group in the south with 15 titles, plus 10 titles in north Wales. But the questions it raises apply to all of its newspapers, including its national titles, because the company has employed the same cost-cutting strategy everywhere. This is felt to be wholly inappropriate at a time when the switch from newsprint to online requires greater investment, particularly in the training and nurturing of journalists.
The fact that the study was commissioned by the National Union of Journalists might convince some people, including Trinity's ceo, Sly Bailey, that it shouldn't be taken seriously. But Franklin and Williams have an impeccable reputation, and their impartiality and independence cannot be denied. So Ms Bailey and her executives should read it carefully.
The academics spoke to scores of Trinity journalists and repeatedly heard the grim reality of staff being forced to do much more work to produce online video and podcasts for no more pay and without proper training. They say: "Working conditions in Trinity's regional newsrooms are poor. Staffing levels have been reduced markedly (a 20% reduction in editorial and production staff since 2000), workloads are high, hours are long, and pay for trainee journalists is almost half the average UK graduate salary (£20,300).
"If Trinity Mirror wants its multimedia strategy to provide quality news that attracts advertisers and readers, it cannot do this on the cheap. Moving online must be accompanied by a substantial investment in quality journalism to secure the future of local and regional newspapers. Unfortunately, the company seems to disagree."
Yup, that's the problem in a sentence. Unfortunately, the company seems to disagree. Then again, it's never really cared about journalism. That requires a long-term commitment. Instead it is interested only in the short-term satisfaction of its shareholders. Unfortunately.
