links for 2009-02-14

"It's entire existence is based on a narrow remit of dealing with complaints from individuals who have the patience (and resources) to go through the procedures. They do not attempt to deal with standards more generally, and given the enormous competitive pressure on newspapers, standards of accuracy and the need for more sensationalist stories are resulting in a dramatic decline in general standards. Plummeting in trust in all journalists has been measured by various independent research organisations, and even includes the previously saintly BBC."

"UPDATE: Geert Wilders has released the text of a speech he wanted to make at the House of Lords. He invokes Churchill and Reagan, says of Islam 'It is not a religion, it is a political ideology', and calls Britain 'a country ruled by fear'. He appears to get most of his information from the Daily Mail. It's the kind of alarmist talk Wilders-watchers will be familiar with. But there's nothing in it that threatens public order, nothing that goes further than a column by Melanie Phillips, Peter Hitchens or Richard Littlejohn". And no reason in my opinion that he shouldn't be allowed into the country and given a chance to break the law if he then decided to incite racial hatred here. We have laws to deal with that.

My appreciation goes up a notch for the Times Labs Blog - they are pro-actively commenting on things that have happened in the wider web world, and giving their own local example that is easy to understand. Like a proper blog should do. Top stuff.

"But perhaps given the current problems plaguing the industry, some limited, short-term government assistance could be justified, to help papers make the necessary adjustments to working online, until an appropriate business model can be found, or until the economy starts to recover. In any kind of bailout, help should be given in such a way where there would be no risk that it could be considered as an attempt to influence. It would be essential to ensure that any help offered to newspapers was offered country-wide, and that it did not give any papers advantages over others. And government support should not be a substitute for innovation, and should not stifle entrepreneurship."

Compares the editorials about Jade Goody during the Big Brother racism row - 'vile bullying and foul-mouthed yobbishness' - with the front pages about the cancer victim she is today