If you live in FNQ & work in local news, we would love to hear from you!

This online survey is part of a bigger research project being undertaken by Griffith University (GU Ref: 2023/252) to examine the shift and change of local news in Far North Queensland's mediascape and the impacts, if any, on the role it plays in servicing regional communities.

For the purpose of this research, FNQ refers to the area north and west of Townsville to Cairns, the Cape and the Torres Strait Islands; local news relates to multi-media sources that inform, educate and entertain and are produced locally in the town / community where you live and work.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary and you are free to withdraw at any time. Your answers will be de-identified before analysis and you will not be identified in any publications resulting from this research.
 
This survey will take around 15 minutes.
 
 
Click here to find out more and view the research project's participation information sheet.
 
Thank you for participating in this online survey. We very much appreciate your time and contribution.
 
Griffith University Research Team ( Professor Susan Forde, Dr. Heather Anderson, Dr. Bridget Backhaus & PhD candidate, Philippa McCulloch)


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* 1. Career
What is your role/title? 

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* 2. How long have you been working in the news industry?  Choose one.

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* 3. How did you get your start in local news / learn the craft? Check all that apply.

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* 4. The significance of local news and various news platforms; in your opinion and from your perspective.  Remember to think 'local'.
On a scale from 1 (low) to  10 (high), please rate the importance of local news to regional communities.

0 10
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 5. On a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high) please rate the importance of traditional news (print, radio and tv) when compared to local online news (including online versions of traditional news platforms).

0 10
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 6. On a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high), please rate the importance of local hybrid news platforms (traditional online news).

0 10
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 7. On a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high), please rate the importance of traditional local news (including online versions) when compared to social media, including Facebook groups (local).  

0 10
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 8. Considering your ranking in Q 7 above, please briefly explain the reason for your answer.  Bullet points are fine.

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* 9. Where do you get most of your local news as a news consumer? Choose one.

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* 10. In your opinion, please indicate which platform is most important when it comes to news coverage.  Choose one.

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* 11. When considering the role of local news journalism (print, online and tv/radio platforms) how would you rate its success in terms of holding civic leaders and organisations to account, keeping the local community informed about what is going on and feeling connected?

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* 12. How do you feel about the future of local news in FNQ? Very negative, negative, neutral, positive, very positive and in comments, please explain why? 

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* 13. Thinking about local news, do you agree with the following?  Tick all that apply.  Feel free to expand your reasoning.

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* 14. About your working life in local news - please ignore any irrelevant questions.
Do you work from home or in a newsroom?

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* 15. Please indicate the top 5 activities in order of importance that you undertake working in local news.  For instance, choices may include researching, interviewing, photographing and filming, writing, editing, layout, social media publishing.

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* 16. Has your role working in local news changed or evolved in recent years? 

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* 17. Please note: Q 17 - Q 21 are for reporters/journalists - if you work in another role please skip and resume at Q22

In your work as a reporter/journalist, are you tasked with specialised rounds?  For instance, environment, tourism, arts and events, sport, business, agriculture etc.

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* 18. In your work as a local reporter/journalist,  what is your most common method of news gathering?  Please choose all that apply.

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* 19. In your work as a reporter/journalist, what is your most common method of interviewing a source?  Please rank 1 to 5, with 1 being the most common.

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* 20. In your work as a reporter/journalist/photographer/camera operator - approximately how many interviews/visual assignments do you carry out per day/week or month?  Specify below.

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* 21. In your work as a reporter/journalist, has the way you conduct interviews changed over the years?  If yes, please explain, and if possible, please include reference to key impacts such as technology or COVID.

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* 22. What do you see are the biggest challenges you face working in local news? Click all that apply.

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* 23. Regarding Artificial Intelligence and applications like ChatGPT, please click all of the following options that relate to your role working in local news. 

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* 24. What are the most positive aspects that you experience working in local news?  Click all that apply.

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* 25. Are you a member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and other key media organisations (Women in Media for example)?

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* 26. How important is knowing and following the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics?

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* 27. Are happy to be contacted for a short follow-up interview in the next phase of our research?  

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* 28. If you answered yes to Q27, please fill in your details here.

Please note: These details are confidential, your answers will be de-identified prior to analysis and you will not be identified in any publications.  

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* 29.  About you
What is your gender?

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* 30. What age group are you?

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* 31. What is your ethnic background? 

Thank you for your time and participation in this valuable research project.  

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