Zaid Rashdan
Thomson Reuters and ethics
Sunday 04 April 2010
It’s a striking headline [● Thomson Reuters again rated one of the world's most ethical companies], a purpose beyond just making money, Reuters, a great name, wonder why they had to add Thomson to it? The founder used two pigeons per message for reliability, which set the path that Reuters took in its editorial and later in its real-time information approach. “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act” – George Orwell. In this world of Ponzi schemes, bursting IT and Housing bubbles and complex instruments deliberately created for swindlers to exploit them, the truth has fallen for the most sought out commodity “MONEY”, and where money and profit is involved, truth and ethics somehow tend to pay the price. It seems that at Thomson Reuters the pen is still mightier than the sword.
Zaid Rashdan
Zaid Rashdan
Future news network
Tuesday 16 March 2010
I see Zaid Rashdan’s point, but I'm not convinced. Here's why. Organisations should focus on what they're good at, and get good at other stuff they need to do to stay healthy and get even better at what they are good at. But there is a fine line. If organisations stray too far from their core they spread themselves thin, and often wither. Since the 1970s Reuters has built its non-news business on the back of its stellar journalistic reputation. But as a company, Reuters (or better its executives since the era of its stock market introduction) failed to realise that news gathering was the real strength – and that the new gizmos and transaction technologies and the deal-oriented info that flowed on these systems were a corollary, and not the strategic core – or unique selling proposition (USP), as management theory calls it. And after Reuters became a listed company, it has seemingly consistently failed to develop a strong strategy. A near-monopoly in the trading rooms, it was like a turtle on its back when Bloomberg showed up as competition in the non-news arena. Now follow the social networks. I can't see it helping much. I could see Thomson Reuters as a strong independent player, and thus indispensable partner to the companies building the social media world – but only if it doesn't dilute its offering: news content which is reported, edited and produced to the highest standards. Because that is becoming a real rarity.
Bjorn Edlund
Bjorn Edlund
Future news network
Monday 15 March 2010
I think this step [● Reuters media chief outlines vision for future news network] is inevitable; it’s a natural reaction to any traditional media, I am only surprised that it took so long. The emergence of virtual environments, like a second life, or a new awakening, in an extraordinary on-line world is around us, exploding in number of users, volume of content, and topics. The sheer amount of content available on the web in terms of news reports, pictures, videos and blogs has exploded. As Chris Ahearn said “Media is not a one-way street anymore” It has become a news source itself that cannot be ignored. No one company can do it alone.
Zaid Rashdan
Zaid Rashdan
