SPECIAL REPORT: Causes for concern: The state of New Zealand journalism in 2015

  • James Hollings
  • Folker Hanusch
  • Ravi Balasubramanian
  • Geoff Lealand
Keywords: attitudes, employment, ethics, Fourth Estate, gender, journalists, journalism education, New Zealand, survey

Abstract

This survey of NZ journalists completed in late 2015 shows the impact of the rapid move to a digital news environment. Journalists are more educated, but working longer hours and feeling more pressure, both ethically and resource-wise, than they were only two years ago. Technological changes are felt acutely, particularly the use of social media and user-generated content. Journalists are concerned that advertising and commercial pressures are stronger, while overall standards are weakening. This study also shows, for the first time, that women are seriously disadvantaged in pay and promotion despite making up the majority of the workforce. Despite these challenges, overall job satisfaction remains at similar levels to previous surveys, and journalists’ own commitment to ethical standards and journalism’s Fourth Estate role remains strong. 

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Author Biographies

James Hollings
Dr James Hollings is senior lecturer in the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.  

Folker Hanusch
Dr Folker Hanusch is professor of journalism at the University of Vienna.
Ravi Balasubramanian

Dr Ravi Balasubramanian is senior lecturer in the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing at Massey University.

Geoff Lealand
Dr Geoff Lealand is associate professor in Screen and Media Studies at the University of Waikato.

PJR
Published
31-12-2016
How to Cite
Hollings, J., Hanusch, F., Balasubramanian, R., & Lealand, G. (2016). SPECIAL REPORT: Causes for concern: The state of New Zealand journalism in 2015. Pacific Journalism Review : Te Koakoa, 22(2), 122-138. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v22i2.29