Whilst this phenomenon might improve the standards of ‘poor’ journalism – that is, the sort which is defiantly partisan and lacks factual oversight – it could equally hinder ‘good’ journalism. I vaguely recall an interview with, I believe, Adam Curtis, who argued that his colleagues in the BBC feel constrained by the perpetual ripostes from bloggers on both the left and right of the political spectrum. The result of this is not necessarily ‘transparency [as] the new objectivity’. Rather, journalists are forced to walk across such a narrow tightrope that their reporting is dumbed down in an attempt to avoid various accusations (usually pertaining to bias).

Thus, whilst the evolving media landscape may raise the quality of ‘poor’ journalism, it may also lower the standard of ‘good’ journalism.

Of course, this may only relate to the BBC. Moreover, the quality of their coverage which now incorporates detailed analysis and blogging entries in addition to their standardised news items could be used to refute this argument. However, as the BBC ventures into these new modes of journalism along with the rest of society, the more criticisms it will face about its ‘objective’ integrity and so forth.

Whilst The Guardian, for example, may be used as an example of a successful embrace of ‘new-media’, it has achieved this by self-consciously branding itself as the world’s leading liberal voice. It has always been left-of-centre, of course, and there is no reason why it should now suddenly change its editorial stance (the same can apply to publication; The Guardian is merely being used as an example). What this means though is that if the BBC’s credentials – and, in my opinion, excellence – are mitigated, then the media landscape will become more fragmented along strictly political/partisan/subjective lines at the expense of the reasoned debates which ‘new-media’ is purported to herald.

Regardless, thank you for this superb analysis. It has been a pleasure to read. I shall look forward to reading your final two posts on this topic.