Where is there still real journalism?
Technology, in particular, is developing at a breathtaking pace, and many wonder where it will all lead. For this reason, well-researched, critical articles are more important than ever to find one’s way through today’s technology jungle.
Even though I am the founder and CEO of a software company, I am also a passionate journalist and lecturer at various universities and am always on the lookout for new, well-prepared expertise. But where can you get that today?
What many people don’t realize is that most online platforms, magazines, events, and associations are largely financed by corporate partnerships, advertising, or sponsoring. So anyone who is surprised at the nonsense that is sometimes reported or presented on stages now knows why. Now, this is nothing new. But along with the decline in social norms, the level of content is also becoming more and more questionable in my view. Meanwhile, half-knowledge or even demonstrably false things are being reported, which makes my hair stand on end. The problem is that many people who are not so intensively involved with the whole issue do not understand what they see as advertising, nor is it identified as such, and thus regard the content as correctly researched and correct. This is disastrous and can have serious consequences!
Independent, good journalism is characterized by the fact that articles are professionally controlled, are not only published after advertising payments, and that journalists do not do PR work for companies in addition to their actual work. Otherwise, how could one write independent, critical articles?
Two examples: Months ago, an article on the topic of GDPR was published by a PMS provider on XXXX. This is technically incorrect. We have pointed this out to those responsible several times, but nothing has happened except lip service. Or on the website XXXX, the topic “PMS + CRS = Success is being promoted”. The PMS, as the name suggests, is a property management system, a system to manage transactions, and not a guest management or central data management system. Apparently, some PMS vendors have now discovered the importance of CRS integration and are marketing it under the buzzword of the need for a “central guest profile”. PMS and CRS are similar in many ways, both have one thing in common, they are not CDM. Various reasons speak against it: the inadequate data cleansing functionalities (DQM), tax aspects, performance aspects, interface problems with channel managers, etc. There are dozens of specialist articles on this. Where are the trade journalists who expose this rubbish and at the same time provide assistance for decision-makers?
One of the very few independent experts I know is Douglas Rice, his column is highly recommended. But who else is there?
I don’t want to make a red list, neither of hotel or marketing associations nor of trade fairs, events, or online platforms. What I want much more is a listing of content providers, where hoteliers, students and all those hungry for knowledge can find technically good and correct articles.
If you know of such a source, let me know and we will publish it afterwards.
Criteria are:
- Articles are not bought based on advertising payments
- Articles go through a professional review by experts before publication
- The journalist is independent and does not work for the company in question, e.g. as a PR consultant.
- Lectures at events are only titled as professional lectures if they are free of advertising and have not been bought through sponsoring.
A little tip on what to look out for if you don’t want to fall for every so-called expert. Check:
- Number of articles published
- Number of books published
- Number of scientific papers that have been reviewed by an expert panel
- Academic degree
- Lectureships at colleges and universities
- Lecturing activities at independent institutions such as Hotellerie Suisse
Please get in touch! I want to read good articles again and then share them with you!
About dailypoint
dailypoint™ is a leading data management and CRM platform for the hospitality industry, providing an advanced solution that unifies guest data from various sources into a single profile. This cloud-based SaaS solution comprises 16 modules and is supported by the dailypoint™ Marketplace with over 200 partners. Its purpose is to enhance the customer journey and improve operational efficiency across all hotel departments. With its headquarters in Munich and offices in the UAE and the USA, dailypoint™ strengthens its global presence through a network of distributors and partners. In autumn 2023, dailypoint™ was recognized by The Leading Hotels of the World as a preferred CRM partner, underscoring its key role in reimagining data management and customer loyalty in the hospitality sector.
For more information visit dailypoint.com.
Michael Toedt
Managing Partner, CEO
dailypoint™
