News desks across the nation, soon to empty?

In a bid to reclaim quality journalism and shift away from an 'info-tainment' focus, major commercial networks have made the unanimous decision to cancel all advertising during evening news broadcasts. From the start of March 2010 the highly sought-after prime time ratings will no longer include news or current affairs programs in their rankings, leaving many reporters concerned as to what they can now present as news.

Channel 7, 9 and 10 made the shock decision following months of irrelevant news segments aimed simply at increasing viewer counts, rather than reporting on actual news. While traditional news programs have focused on national and world-wide events significant to the public interest, commercial networks of late have programmed according to what they feel will generate the most public outrage - Halal foods taking over the country, Australian flag bans and car hoons being the most popular topics.

While the move has been welcomed by academics and industry experts, television reporters are beginning to feel the pressure from more-informed and less-gullible audiences. A journalist society strike is planned for early next week, with writers demanding the right to 'make up news' as they please.

"I made up this fantastic story lined about a Muslim guy who said he was going to take over Australia" one current affairs journalist told WPN, under the condition of anonymity. "This story was absolute dynamite, we're talking ringing the bell for Cronulla Round II, and think about all the coverage we can get from that! Anyway, now the network insists we actually interview people and gather facts - I mean, how absurd!"

Rumour is amidst meanwhile that current affairs programs will cease to exist all-together, as those involved in the programs are unaware of what real-journalism means.

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