Thread: Interesting magazine "article"

Originally Posted by rmp

<snipped> This is something the media industry in general is struggling with, as budgets are slashed, quality suffers, readership drops and a vicious circle ensues.

Indeed Robert,

Regrettably it is not just the media industry that is suffering under these pressures either. It seems that we let the lunatics (bean counters) take over the asylum many years ago and the world as we know it has been heading for hell in a hand basket ever since. I have worked in IT for many years now and have seen first hand the havoc that can be wrought when a red pen is wielded without due regard to the clientele.

I believe the staff of most publications are doing the best they can in a very challenging environment. As you rightly observe errors and omissions creep in and we all seem quick to pounce without understanding the complete picture.

With the magazine buying public becoming very conscious of their own economic pressures, their tastes become keener and their eye more critical.

If we (the readership/public) are having less of the $$'s to spend we tend to be more discerning in where we spend it. This often means that the standard for any given publication actually needs to improve to maintain the readership. A demand which is at odds with diminishing resources available to a publication to achieve its outcomes.

This may be part of the reason we sometimes perceive a bias. The magazine is endeavouring to cater to its largest marque (or mass market) audience. The vicious cycle is greatest here as advertising is often charged based on readership/circulation. The greater the base the higher the mag can charge for the space. If the readership drops, so does the magazines ability to demand a premium for its space. With the drop in advertising income the ability to maintain the quality is brought under greater pressure. If the quality drops, the readership drops, and so the cycle continues. Sometimes ever downward into oblivion.

I don't believe there are any simple solutions to any of this. I know for certain I don't have any (simple or otherwise). I think a heightened level of awareness cannot be a bad thing along the way though.

I think you have done an excellent job of providing greater insight and education here. For that I thank you, for taking the time and effort. It is appreciated.

Cheers,
Iain

Originally Posted by rmp

That's fine, my intent is not to defend practices or allay concerns but to explain.

The wider issue here is the gap between the quality readers demand and the price they are willing to pay for content. This is something the media industry in general is struggling with, as budgets are slashed, quality suffers, readership drops and a vicious circle ensues.

i understand all that, i think different industry's have all gone or go though the same story. i doint blame the accountants i blame the investment bankers and investors, people who rightly want a return but invest in something they have little knowledge of.

if a business publication miss printed say a share price with lead to some investors losing money then they could take that publication to court.
If you publication states some inaccurate information about a vehicle. then wouldn't you be open to action from that vehicles manufacture?

another idea. since so many news items are actually provided by a producer ( free advertising) how muct of your publication is provided by manufactures or suppliers? excluding clear advertising.

In theory yes it could be sued but the award would be proportional to the loss suffered. It would be hard to argue that a misprint of a specifcation or saying a second battery couldn't be fitted had any meaningful effect on sales. If the review was highly negative then yes there'd be a case, but very few if any mag reviews are so unfairly critical the manufacturers would have a case, or could be bothered taking it to court and the publicity even if they won would merely highlight the car's faults anyway. So pretty low risk from car manuacturers.

Again, Overlander is not "my" publication. None of my stories anywhere are reprints of press releases. I cannot speak for other writers. I do use subject matter experts but the words are mine, not theirs.

Originally Posted by rmp

Again, Overlander is not "my" publication. None of my stories anywhere are reprints of press releases. I cannot speak for other writers. I do use subject matter experts but the words are mine, not theirs.

thanks
i will rephrase the question as i didn't actually mean you yourself.
like newspapers and interest storys which you can basically write your self and send in as a form of free advertising. how much of this sort of thing do you think is going on in the 4x4 mags.

a bit like a bush medic saying i got here in time to safe a life thank you Toyota. the story being written by a Toyota employee and is sent to a number of news papers. i used to do this myself ( odiously i paid for some one to actually write what i wanted) and send them off, there was always a great pickup by the papers and a corresponding pick up in revenue for me.

Originally Posted by 85 county

thanks
i will rephrase the question as i didn't actually mean you yourself.
like newspapers and interest storys which you can basically write your self and send in as a form of free advertising. how much of this sort of thing do you think is going on in the 4x4 mags.

a bit like a bush medic saying i got here in time to safe a life thank you Toyota. the story being written by a Toyota employee and is sent to a number of news papers. i used to do this myself ( odiously i paid for some one to actually write what i wanted) and send them off, there was always a great pickup by the papers and a corresponding pick up in revenue for me.

OK I see what you mean. Sometimes that happens but it's quite rare. However I have experience only in one narrow, niche sector so have little idea of other markets. Far more common is the suckup article written by a journo which is simply advertorial. Really hate that.

Robert

I am a new SE D4 owner, although I have a 6.5 Chev engined D1 that I have owned since is was a new 2.5 TDI model. I am a newcomer to the AULRO site and I am working steadily through all the D3/D4 threads. There is a lot of information here.

Your blog and comments on motor journalsim have been most illuminating (for many of us, i am sure) and I thank you for the time you have taken to make them.

Cheers

Al

Thanks to rmp, 85 County, RangieBit and others, this has been an enjoyable and well reasoned thread to read.

Having said that there is one elephant in the room.

As I previously posted, I enjoy reading a number of the 4wd mags published and think that there is probably only one that seems to have a consistently negative slant towards LR, or more specifically the D3 or D4.

However, we (collectively) have not acknowledged the obvious BIAS, as members and participants of this forum have towards LR and the D3/D4 in particular.

As Robert notes there would be precious few journos who could or would know as much about these vehicle as most on this forum. Most have a reasonable sum invested and are passionate (or passionate enough to post or troll this site) about their choice of make and model.

Ask me about the ability to locate a third battery in a LC200 and there would be a scratching of the head.

If I was a journo and a guy who had tricked out his LC 200 subsequently told me why he had located his 3rd battery in the left hand rear passenger wheel well etc, I for one would probably accept that, making the assumption he knew his vehicle and it limitations.

Bias, laziness or just human nature I am not sure but as one of the oldest sayings go - DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ.

Again, an enjoyable and well reasoned thread, and Robert thanks for taking the time to make you points clear.

Much appreciated.

George

i doint often get a 4X4 mag, some times if theres a trip report or something else of intrest.

on thing i notice is there is never much on older vehicles unless they belong to Ruthy?

i know of a great Isuzu county thay would be of intrest as well as it decade ++ development into the tour vehicle it is. or another Isuzu that is a daly driver and is required to follow large earth moving equipment though mud clay etc.

both these owners and there vehicles would make great story's. but since they wouldn't bolster sales of any mark