I replied that what they choose to call the paper no longer matters, since it long ago ceased to bear any recognisable trace of its respected precursor titles. The name change simply confirms that Stuff’s owner, Sinead Boucher (and I’m guessing it would have been her decision, even if Dominion Post editor Caitlin Cherry announced it) has little knowledge of, and even less regard for, the heritage of the company she owns.
In fact when a company calls itself Stuff, a name that indicates profound disrespect for the nature of its business, any frivolous name will do.
I added that I’ve given up caring about the fate of the paper(s) I spent a large part of my career working for, though I do feel for the few good people still employed there. Stuff has so thoroughly betrayed its journalistic legacy that I’m past caring whether the company even survives, which seems increasingly uncertain.
My friend wondered if Caitlin Cherry realised who her paper’s most loyal readers were. She then answered her own question: “Oldies like me. People who understand and appreciate history and are not consumed by 'presentism'" – a reference to the blind fixation whereby events and people from the past are judged according to the rigid and unforgiving ideological orthodoxy of the present.
Judged by the standards of this new form of hubris-driven bigotry, the word “Dominion” would be seen as having intolerable connotations of colonialism and subservience to an imperial power. That the newspaper was so named because it was launched on the day New Zealand attained Dominion status in 1907 is no saving grace. Stuff seems determined not only to disown but to erase its own heritage.
It will have alienated still more of its diminishing number of readers with its latest lurch, and the irony is that much of this is being done to humour a demographic group that doesn’t buy newspapers anyway.
It remains to be seen whether the decline will be arrested by placing Stuff's main titles behind a paywall, as is rumoured to be pending. I doubt it. Stuff has left its move about 10 years too late, and in the meantime the quality of the product has deteriorated to the point where sensible people will decide they can do without it. The slow-motion suicide continues.
I added that I’ve given up caring about the fate of the paper(s) I spent a large part of my career working for, though I do feel for the few good people still employed there. Stuff has so thoroughly betrayed its journalistic legacy that I’m past caring whether the company even survives, which seems increasingly uncertain.
My friend wondered if Caitlin Cherry realised who her paper’s most loyal readers were. She then answered her own question: “Oldies like me. People who understand and appreciate history and are not consumed by 'presentism'" – a reference to the blind fixation whereby events and people from the past are judged according to the rigid and unforgiving ideological orthodoxy of the present.
Judged by the standards of this new form of hubris-driven bigotry, the word “Dominion” would be seen as having intolerable connotations of colonialism and subservience to an imperial power. That the newspaper was so named because it was launched on the day New Zealand attained Dominion status in 1907 is no saving grace. Stuff seems determined not only to disown but to erase its own heritage.
It will have alienated still more of its diminishing number of readers with its latest lurch, and the irony is that much of this is being done to humour a demographic group that doesn’t buy newspapers anyway.
It remains to be seen whether the decline will be arrested by placing Stuff's main titles behind a paywall, as is rumoured to be pending. I doubt it. Stuff has left its move about 10 years too late, and in the meantime the quality of the product has deteriorated to the point where sensible people will decide they can do without it. The slow-motion suicide continues.
Karl du Fresne, a freelance journalist, is the former editor of The Dominion newspaper. He blogs at karldufresne.blogspot.co.nz.
9 comments:
Well there was the Dominion and then there was the Evening Post. I guess most people remember the merger.
It is the Evening Post that I recall the most. Walking through the streets, from the railway station, Lampton Quay, up to the BNZ when it still was the BNZ, Willis Street to Perretts Corner where an architectural curiosity replacing the original apothecary, a magnificent turreted design including coloured glass round windows now replaced by something else.
There the paper boy like
a scene from Dickens with his stack under his arm hollering the chant with an
altering pitch of the unrecognisable words "Evening Paper"
Often a bit of rain always some wind to fight against.The evening going from dusk to darkness and a fast pacing crowd in topcoats and scarves.
All along the that city walk were the paperboys who had the most audible voices. I'd be making my way to Prince Street overlooking Oriental Bay. Oriental of course because it was in the east.
I think I said inaudable, it was definitely most emphatically audable but the words indecipherable.
I have regarded Stuff as 'Stuff & Garbage' for about the past three years. I no longer bother to do more than skim through the headlines looking for anything resembling actual news about the region in which I live; and old favourites such as the words of Joe Bennett. I then switch to the obituaries (I'm of that certain vintage y'see).
Should Stuff self-destruct as is suggested, I shall be happy to form a squad of cheerleaders to help it on its way.
Hugh Evans
If only, one could write an "Opinion Piece" about Sinead Boucher, but sadly defamation laws prevail.
There is An American Conservative News Presenter, with a long history in Middle Media, who has prevailed on the Secular-progressive movement that was established within America, has "gained traction" over past years, and by his written statements has done considerable damage to the American way of life. Sadly the "ideas" that they both established & present are now starting to be seen here in NZ.
From what I know about MS. Boucher - one could reasonably class her and her likeminded friends as being part of a NZ version of of Secular -Progressive.
The Last Post would have been more appropriate and if the name proved literal, something we'd all rush out and buy a copy of to celebrate.
I enjoyed the nostalgic journey TJS led us on. The days of journalistic respect that has now been replaced with a radical’s mouth piece making the old NZ Truth look credible.
Never in all of history has a political party destroyed its own powerful Empire faster than the Democrats. While China expands wartime military draft to include veterans and college students these political idiots are obsessed in their quest to get Trump. And while our own disgusting tabloids delight in this obscene departure from justice, stop and reflect on what’s about to impact on our smug little lives. There will be no way back.
It's a little like eulogy, sadly. Thanks.
been trying to cancel my subscription for the past 3-4 years can't get my partner to agree. Maybe someone can help with some suggestions. even the 5 minute quiz is full of meaningless drivel questions about film stars and the like. desperate times..............
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