Is journalism different in the digital age? The new technology makes research easier (Google anyone?) but it also gives journalists new prying tools as the News of the World phone hacking scandal demonstrated. Heather Brooke, who broke the British MPs expenses scandal (remember that moat?) argues for preserving a private sphere away from the gaze of the state. But what about the inquisitive eyes of the media? She joins tabloid supremo Alex Mitchell in canvassing the limits in the digital age.
Alex Mitchell (Australian)
Alex Mitchell is an Australian journalist. His account of his 50-year career in journalism and politics is called Come The Revolution: A memoir. Alex’s life in newspapers as an investigative reporter, foreign correspondent and columnist contributed to his passionate political convictions. He became editor of Britain’s first Trotskyist daily newspaper and was witness to its rise and fall. He was state political editor of The Sun-Herald until 2007 and is now a freelance.
Richard Aedy is an ABC broadcaster who currently hosts The Media Report on Radio National (RN) and Sunday Profile on both RN and local ABC radio. In an increasingly media-saturated world, each week The Media Report makes sense of it by talking to key players, examining contemporary journalism and charting the enormous changes of the digital age including concerns about privacy and reputation. On RN Richard has previously hosted Life Matters, The Media Report and The Buzz. He has worked with Independent Radio News, Radio New Zealand and the BBC.
Heather Brooke is a freelance journalist and freedom of information campaigner. She writes for the UK’s main national papers and has presented Channel 4's Dispatches. Heather is a visiting professor at City University's department of journalism and is also the author of Your Right to Know and The Silent State. In 2009 she was named Reformer of the Year and won the Setting the Political Agenda Award from the Political Studies Association. The Revolution Will Be Digitised is her latest work.
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