The Monday mindset: 15 May 2017
Comment is free… for now
Fintech zeitgeist! Every Monday, we might look back at last week; look ahead to this week; share a few thoughts (our own or others); or discuss anything that catches our eye.
This week, Antony Peyton, Banking Technology’s deputy editor, looks at why journalism is not controlled by your company. Well, not here anyway.
Hey fintech folks! Did you know there is a difference between journalism and marketing? Sure you do, but you’d be amazed at the number of people who don’t.
Let’s face it, the world of fintech isn’t really different from everything else out there. We have dictators trying to tell the media what they can or can’t write, and some people getting upset over certain questions. In the latter situations, they simply get up and walk out when a question is too tough for them. And there’s me thinking politicians (oops, I revealed who they were) were meant to be robust and accountable. It seems they are as delicate as a will-o’-the-wisp with a hangover.
Over at Banking Technology we’ve noticed some individuals not understanding the role of journalism. At all.
Here are some examples.
We included some analysis from a firm’s website in a story on that firm. Bizarrely, that company got upset and warned us that we may not get invited to their events in future. Eh? If you didn’t want it made public, why make it public on your site?
At an event, journalists watched and made notes on a public presentation… to about 1,200 people. Story was published and happiness descended on our sweet and lovely fintech world like angels falling from heaven. Actually, no. We were asked to remove the name of one company from that very public event. Again, if you don’t want your name out there – don’t go public.
These two instances are part of a worrying (and global) trend. Companies telling journalists what to write and getting pretty angry when they don’t get their way.
If that’s what you want, then we’re going to end up with a world of marketing. Sure, you’ll be happy as your pristine and polished message is spread far and wide. But on the flipside, everything you read on your rivals will be the same. Be careful what you wish for.
Some of you may be thinking – yeah, yeah, I know all this. Cool. But the number of people who don’t is quite high… and alarmingly it’s getting higher every week.
Last week’s Monday mindset asked whether Paytm will become India’s WeChat?
If you’re interested in contributing to our Monday mindset, contact our editorial team.
