A mini-episode about that NZ Herald story – and the new NZ on Air round
Nov 25, 2024
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Job losses at a major New Zealand media outlet cast a shadow over the industry, sparking discussions about the need for adaptation. Despite rising audience numbers, funding remains elusive, creating a paradox for organizations. The hosts express solidarity with affected colleagues and emphasize community support. An upcoming announcement promises to clarify the organization's mission and reveal ways to assist during these challenging times.
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Quick takeaways
Recent job losses at The Spinoff illustrate the severe challenges and emotional impacts facing the media industry today.
Despite high audience engagement, funding setbacks reveal a troubling disconnect between journalistic success and financial stability for media organizations.
Deep dives
Challenges Facing Media Outlets
Recent job losses at Spinoff highlight significant challenges within the media industry, reflecting a broader crisis affecting various publications. The discussion delves into the impact of these challenges, including NZ Geographic transitioning to a digital-only format and the struggles faced by other digital startups. These shifts indicate an uncertain future for media organizations, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing landscape. The emotional toll on those affected by job losses underscores the personal stakes involved in maintaining quality journalism during turbulent times.
Audience Engagement vs. Financial Realities
Despite experiencing record audience engagement and notable content success, such as the podcast 'Juggernaut' achieving over 100,000 downloads, the organization faces funding setbacks. The paradox lies in the disconnect between audience performance and financial support, with recent rounds of funding yielding no support, contrasting with peer organizations that fared better. This situation highlights the increasingly precarious nature of journalism where audience growth does not necessarily translate to financial viability. The organization’s leadership expresses a commitment to navigating these challenges and maintaining its voice in the media landscape, encouraging support from the community.
It's fair to assume a near total correlation between Media Insider readers and The Fold's listeners – so if you've read Shayne Currie's report into job losses at The Spinoff yesterday, you'll know that we're all feeling pretty low here. My heart and thoughts are with my affected colleagues – but I wanted to give some background and context beyond that story, and talk about the most recent NZ on Air round too. That's what this short episode is about. Back Thursday.