Ruadhán Mac Cormaic reflects on two decades of change in journalism at the University of Galway’s annual lecture.
Irish Times editor Ruadhán Mac Cormaic delivered the annual John Cunningham Memorial Lecture at the University of Galway last week, highlighting the seismic shifts in journalism over the last two decades. The event pays tribute to the late John Cunningham, who served as the editor of the Connacht Tribune and was a long-time journalism lecturer.
In his address, Mac Cormaic, who started his career as a journalist in 2007 — the same year the iPhone was launched — elaborated on the evolving landscape of news delivery. He recalled a period when the print edition of The Irish Times was the focal point of journalistic success. “For us reporters, it was all about getting onto the front page. And if you couldn’t get onto the front, you pushed to claim the best bit of real estate you could get inside,” he said..
Mac Cormaic’s narrative underscored the reality of journalists operating in a predominantly print-based environment, where audience engagement was often limited to rare interactions through letters or emails. “We paid almost no attention to data analytics, and we seldom heard from our readers unless they felt so grateful – or, more commonly, so irate – as to email us their views,” he said.
With the advent of digital platforms, the journalistic focus has transformed dramatically. Today, The Irish Times publishes a multitude of content types through various channels including its app, website, social media, podcasts and video formats. “We still produce a printed paper. But it’s now just one distribution channel among many,” Mac Cormaic said.
He further illustrated how advancements in data analytics have altered the relationship between news producers and consumers. “Where once we sent newspapers out into the world and had hunches about what parts of that paper people were actually reading, we now have access to vast amounts of data showing us exactly what people are reading, at what time, on what device, from where and for how long,” he said.
The implications of these changes are profound for editors and journalists who now operate in a landscape marked by immediacy and reader interaction. As Mac Cormaic pointed out, this new era demands an understanding of audience preferences and behaviours, driving editorial decisions beyond traditional print metrics.
The lecture serves as a reminder of the evolving dynamics within the field of journalism, highlighting the blend of technology and audience engagement that defines modern media. The transformation noted by Mac Cormaic is reflective not only of The Irish Times but also of the wider media landscape as it adapts to the rapid advancements in technology and changing consumption habits.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.irishtimes.com/ – This URL supports the claim about The Irish Times’ transformation in content delivery through various digital channels, including its app, website, social media, podcasts, and video formats.
- https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/01/Apple-Reinvents-the-Phone-with-iPhone/ – This URL corroborates the mention of the iPhone’s launch in 2007, marking a significant technological shift that influenced journalism.
- https://www.presscouncil.ie/ – This URL relates to the Press Council of Ireland, which oversees professional standards in journalism, reflecting the broader context of journalism’s evolution in Ireland.
- https://www.nuigalway.ie/ – This URL is associated with the University of Galway, where the John Cunningham Memorial Lecture took place, highlighting the academic and journalistic community’s engagement with evolving media landscapes.
- https://www.connachttribune.ie/ – This URL supports the mention of the Connacht Tribune, which pays tribute to John Cunningham and provides further coverage of significant events in journalism.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears recent, referencing a lecture that occurred ‘last week’ at the University of Galway. However, without a specific date, it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes from Ruadhán Mac Cormaic seem original to this context, as there is no readily available online source confirming these exact quotes were used previously.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Connacht Tribune, which is a local publication. While it may be reliable for local news, its credibility on a broader scale is less established compared to major national or international outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the evolution of journalism and the shift towards digital platforms are plausible and align with known trends in the media industry.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is likely recent and the quotes appear original. The source, while local, provides plausible insights into the evolving media landscape. Overall, the content seems accurate and relevant.
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