The Drum would like to issue a challenge for agencies to take on one of the toughest briefs in the industry: The British Press.
There is no doubt that the wake of the phone hacking row, the Madeline McCann scandal, and other controversies thrown up by the Leveson process has left the press with a less than stellar reputation. As a result statutory controls are now being placed on the industry, with the apparent support of the public.
There is, however, another side to the argument with many concerned about the dangers to press freedom of expression, the risk that politicians may be able to interfere in editorial decisions and the loss of a 300 year old convention that the press should not be placed under statutory control.
Almost every newspaper is making these arguments but such is the damage to the industry’s reputation that very few are listening.
Our mission to you, should you choose to accept it, is to design a campaign for a fictional newspaper body that reminds the public about the value of a free press, and the dangers of placing it under statutory control.
With everyone focussing on what the press is doing wrong, this campaign should serve to remind the public what the press is doing right – and the fact that the word ‘press’ means so much more than just a few Fleet Street red tops, it includes local newspapers, magazines and websites. It should aim to start the process of rebuilding the industry’s reputation – one which has become so damaged it is beginning to undermine many of the fundamental principles associated with our democracy; free speech.
Submissions should include a campaign line, a rough representation of a potential execution and a rationale. Entries will form a feature looking at how the industry needs to repair its reputation if it hopes to win back the trust of the readers.
All entries should be sent to editorial@thedrum.com with the deadline set for lunchtime (12pm) on Friday 22 March.