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Are we witnessing the death of investigative journalism? Can you really trust news that you didn't pay for? How can newspapers re-invent themselves in cyberspace?

If you are a journo, your job is at risk. Even before the stoush between Rupert Murdoch and Google the issue of who pays for news is open for debate. Consumers expect to find things for free on the net and there is no shortage of smart operators who gain exposure by recycling someone else's material.

The net has definitively blown out a cosy arrangement between advertisers, journalists, mass-media and consumers.

Blogs have been sprouting everywhere and whoever has an axe to grind or a passion to share can find their audience instantly! Journalists spend as much time searching the net than seeing their sources face to face.

The infamous media leak has now a website of its own where anonymous people can embarrass governments, political parties and corporations.

Another issue is how much people really read from a computer screen? Some are banking on the release of tablet type devices which supposedly reduce eye strain to make us switch from paper.

In a world where everybody does as they see fit freedom of information takes on a new meaning. The propaganda machine is running overtime to blast its message unaware that mass-media is dead and that people have developed a blindness to ads (on TV, on the net, etc...)

What is even more worrisome is the lack of debate where new ideologies are being pushed to the masses without any obvious sign of resistance. For example: How come the feminist lobby does not castigate muslins about the stereotype of women in their civilisation?

Elections have become a popularity contest and far reaching issues are not being addressed. How come nobody is lifting up a banner to address the housing crisis?

How come nobody exposes the hidden interests fighting hard against the worldwide release of the electric car?

How come we never hear much about Chinese foreign policy activities? A regime that stands by North Korea, spies on its people overseas, has an appalling track record in human rights and hides behind heavy censorship?

How come nobody questions whether Australia needs 3 layers of government - federal, state and local?

Where are the true leaders in politics? People who had fire in their belly and a vision for their country? Would people who enter public office be reported on fairly and be applauded for their achievements? Has political life become a mud-slinging match where more is done to pull down your opponent rather than gaining support for a brilliant idea?

Unless we find ways to sponsor a journalist we will remain ill-informed and the consequences do not abide well for a democratic society.

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