Strong words from Google CEO Eric Schmidt last week speaking to magazine executives on the Google campus. He asserts that the internet “is fast becoming a cesspool, where false information thrives.” He went on to state that Brands are an becoming increasingly important as a signal that the content that carry can be trusted. Great – reliable content, just look for a brand. But hang on, this depends on the brand – The Financial Times is a brand, in which the content can be rated as trustable, however, so is Football 365 – content that is highly speculative, sensationalist and of questionable validity.
No one can argue that the internet can be a less than perfect environment, but Schmidt fails to say how this content can be regulated When asked where the industry ends up if there aren’t outlets willing to pay journalists to create quality content however, he makes the suggestion of whether journalism should be a for-profit enterprise.
Wonder if Rupert Murdoch has stopped laughing yet?
