A force for good: poll shows positive impact of journalism
A unique survey commissioned by Press Gazette gives the lie to the often quoted assumption that the British public does not value journalism.
More than half those surveyed in a YouGov national opinion poll (52 per cent) said they agreed with the statement: “Journalism makes a positive contribution to life in Britain”. Some 32 per cent didn’t agree and 16 per cent were “don’t knows”.
Press Gazette has also conducted its own straw poll of public figures which has found some unlikely fans of journalism.
Mark Borkowski, PR pundit and MD of Borkowski PR, said: “I don’t think it does nowadays. Part of the problem is that newspapers have lost their definitive character – they no longer have the confidence and ability to make a stand. There are some great columnists, and newspapers are fantastic in terms of raising public awareness on issues such as the tsunami and Africa, but they don’t carry the same old values. It’s all about the bottom line and circulation figures. Journalists are too busy hunting for exclusives as opposed to insighting values.”