## We now need to pay for access to truth and lies alike: how is this progress?
It occurs to me that previously *free to read* independent news outlets are not only increasingly restricting access to their wares but demanding paid subscriptions over a limited number of free reads per period. Perhaps it is a sign that the staff/guests writers are getting more numerous and need to be paid. They can do this because their competitors are no longer trusted to write the truth beyond parroting-journalism (which is just transcription services, not journalism as such). From my perspective, there’s much to be said about a *small footprint* which translate to the idealism that *truth* is not a commodity, it is a moral and ethical duty.
I now find myself turning to other sources and becoming more and more sceptical about what I read that is newsworthy. These are interesting times indeed.
There was a time when our *representatives* in Parliament undestood they had a duty of keeping Citizens **informed** and did so through *Public Broadcasters* funded adequately to carry out this vital social democratic function. That too has fallen by the wayside.
If there is a conspiracy to dumb the *Proles* down into blind servility, I have to say, *It’s working well*.
#Journalism #NewsOutlets #DoubleSpeak #AusPol #GiveMeBackMyABC #PublicBroadcasting #MediaOwnership #IndependentNewsOutlets #msm #CommoditizedInformation