Saturday, September 10, 2011

Criticizing the Critical Critic

He struggles with ratings both on the radio (where MTR's failed talk format will more than likely change back to music in the near future) and on the television (really, why does Channel 10 even bother?). And whilst he is believed to be widely read, both online and in print format through the Murdoch distributions, I think Bolt's power as a commentator is on the way down. Here's why:

1. He is repetitive
Bolt has his hobby horses, being
In the same way we turn off politicians who keep spouting the same message, again and again and again, Andrew Bolt is starting to sound like a broken record. And with each additional repitition of his messages more and more people will start turning off.

And whilst politicians use repetition as a way to sell their message one must remember Bolt is essentially there for entertainment purposes, and a means of selling advertising space. Repitition will not make for entertainment in the long term, and as readers drop off so will the advertising. Media organisations are there to make money and it doesn't matter who you are, if you have declining readers you will be dropped, quicker than a hot potato.

2. He is Lazy
In the recently create website The Power Index, Bolt is decribed as the number one "Megaphone". In describing his output:
Bolt blogs like a man possessed. It's not unusual for him to start posting entries before 6am and continue until midnight.
But being a man possessed, posting entries 18 hours a day, does not necessarily mean that most of this output is orginal. If you want to, take a good hard look at his blog over a 7 day period. You will find that the majority are simply lifted from other sources - be they readers providing contributors, or media types - with maybe a couple of lines at the end penned by Bolt himself.

There will only be a couple of entries per day that is diatribe from his own thoughts. This does not appear to be a hardworking commentator at work.

This laziness reduces his effectiveness as a commentator. In time this will reduce his power to influence.

3. He Lacks Detail.
It is easy to write crtically of others. Believe me I know. I do it all the time. However gathering evidence and testing that evidence takes time. Time that could be otherwise spent creating half a dozen poorly checked blogs.

Don't just take my word for it. Read about it here, here and here.

This lacking in detail trips him up from time to time, and eventually this culmination of errors will reduce his credibility as a commentator.

4. Ego
The writing was on the wall when he was lured to Channel 10 with his own TV show, The Bolt Report. When the focus moves from the issues of the day to the size of the head of the commentator the credibility gap is further enhanced.

This ego will be undergoing a check with the demise of radio segement and likely demise of his television show.

5. The Guy Is A Dick
In my opinion.

6. Change of Government
If you believe the polls and the commentary at the next federal election there will be a change in government. And if there are no surprises within the Liberal Party the next Prime Minister will be Tony Abbott.

So we will be in a position in Victoria where both the State and Federal Governments will be conservative in outlook.

So, what outrages will Bolt write about then?

No Gillard and no carbon tax. Nothing to get all steamed up about. So no confected outrage. And then nobody to take an interest in what he is writing.

Ultimately his greatest wishes will be his downfall.

2 comments:

. said...

I'd like to believe you, but I think it's just wishful thinking. Bolt never had credibility or the ability to fact check, but he's still around.

Steve Szetey said...

Yes, it probably is a little bit of wishful thinking, but I never said he wouldn't be around, but rather that his power, such that it is, is waning. And it won't happen overnight. But it will happen.