The first chapter of Nick Davies’ book, ‘Flat Earth News’, details the journalistic response to the ‘Y2K bug’- how different outlets across Britain and the globe covered the story, and detailing some of the fearmongering behaviour carried out by papers (such as the Sunday Mirror and the Chicago Tribune). It mentions how, despite the UK government spending up to £788 million protecting Britain from the bug, no major outlets ran many stories of its non-existence; this was done so that publications could, among other things, avoid any of the guilt for drumming up the story and causing panic.
It compares the Y2K crisis to the old idea of a ‘flat earth’- in both cases, the story was so widespread and prevalent amongst public opinion where to suggest an opposite viewpoint was met with disregard or ridicule.
The chapter then begins to describe how the blame for misinformation falls on journalists- even if they aren’t being corrupt or malicious, by simply not correcting a lie, they are allowing it to spread and reach new ears.
Davies states that, in his experience, outlets are not often strong-armed in to presenting certain views due to pressure from advertisers. He mentions that while owners have the power to influence reporters, this functions in a much less nefarious manner than it has in the past- with most of their goals in the modern world coming down to simply making money. He then uses Rupert Murdoch, and his history of cutting deals with political leaders, as an example of this- with Murdoch even abandoning his own political ideology at points, if it means he advance his career. However, he states that while he does not wish to downplay the severity and immorality of these actions, it falls flat when looking for an explanation of repeated journalistic failings at upholding the truth; Davies claims that most of the obstacles to honest reporting now fall down to the happenings in the newsroom, with internal politics being among the most severe hinderances.
Sean W Journalism Reflections blog 