We are living in a time when the news industry appears to be in crisis. Disinformation is rife, both in traditional media and on newer, online outlets. Many people no longer trust journalists and go to alternative sources, like social media, for their news. Business interests seem to be superseding accountability. But, how did we get here?
This is the question Eric Beecher seeks to answer in his book The Men Who Killed the News. Beecher is an Australian journalist and media proprietor who became the youngest-ever editor of The Sydney Morning Herald in 1984 when he was just 33. He formerly worked under Rupert Murdoch, who despite being his former employer is not safe from his criticism, at the Melbourne Herald.
In The Men Who Killed the News, Beecher charts the history of the press, describing how media moguls have superseded the essence of journalism in favour of business interests. He explains how industrialisation allowed the mass production of newspapers and led to the rise of the likes of William Randolph Hearst, Joseph Pulitzer, and Rupert Murdoch, men who created press monopolies. He then goes on to describe the digital revolution’s further erosion of the institution of journalism, criticising Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk for the roles Meta and X have played.
Beecher also discusses the issue of accountability, explaining that because of free speech rights in most modern-day democracies, it is difficult to hold the media responsible. Moguls exploit this freedom to their advantage. According to him, “They have intimidated governments, invaded personal privacy, peddled mistruths, stirred up sensationalism, dispensed patronage, denigrated their enemies, twisted social values, and in the process, accumulated obscene fortunes”.
The Men Who Killed the News is not entirely depressing. Beecher points to outlets that have succeeded commercially by putting out quality journalism for their audiences. He believes that to survive, outlets need to reject the idea of mass media and focus on producing journalism for a smaller audience. He also mentions government assistance, pointing to Australia’s News Bargain Code, for example. However, he comes back to the idea of trust from the public. In his opinion, to revitalise journalism, outlets have to be committed to being professional and ethical, and the public has to trust them.
The strength of the book lies in its histories. Beecher uses clear yet detailed language, and it’s obvious he has done his research. He deftly explores the layers of media history in a way that is both accessible and informative. However, this comes at the cost of a lack of a clear argument. Although Beecher explores the issue of accountability, he does not provide much of a solution, which is a shame because he builds up to it so beautifully. Overall, though, The Men Who Killed the News is a very informative and well-written book, and it’s a great read for anyone interested in media history and/or the current news crisis.
Words by Avantika Singh