Quality journalism still important in changing media business model, says editor

Technology is forcing the pace of change but good story telling and quality journalism will stand out on on any news platform, according to the editor of The Irish Times, Kevin O'Sullivan.

Speaking at the University of Limerick yesterday, Mr O'Sullivan said while the changing media business model is not yet clear, some telling trends are emerging.

“Regardless of where it all consolidates, investing in the preservation of our news capacity and quality must be a central element to our strategy in my view,” he said.

In his talk The Journalist in the Multimedia Era, Mr O'Sullivan acknowledged that a cultural shift in tone is required when responding to changing reading and consumption patterns.

“All in the media sector have to be cognisant of the way reading and consumption patterns are changing so radically and so quickly.

“And we must respond with digital innovation in the generation and presentation of content.

“We are becoming increasingly ‘digital first’ – that doesn’t mean the newspaper is devalued. We are, and will continue to be, in the business of breaking significant news stories.”

University of Limerick student Ruth O'Shaughnessy was presented with The Irish Times Best Journalism Award.

A native of Limerick, Ruth received the award for her work on the implementation of the European Globalisation Fund programme at Dell.