Dear Philip,

It's rare to see public displays of genuine self-examination - especially when such reflection comes from one of the nation's most prominent business leaders.

But the recent pronouncements of David Gonski - ANZ chairman, author of the seminal report into future education funding and president of the NSW Art Gallery Board of Trustees, among other notable titles - do bear serious study.

Mr Gonski believes, and I agree, that the world is afflicted by mass discontent. Perhaps that's a statement of the bleeding obvious, but what was refreshing to hear was his candid admission that big business and traditional institutions have played a major role in contributing to these feelings of disempowerment.

But in saying that much, he was also right in affirming they by no means bore all of the blame. I was fortunate enough this week to hear his Australia Oration at the annual dinner hosted by Business Events Sydney, the agency tasked with securing valuable conferences and conventions to our city. 

       "It's rare to see public displays of genuine self-examination - especially when such reflection comes from one of the nation's most prominent business leaders."

The fundamentals of fear and anxiety had transformed the international conversation - and traditional businesses and structures were, by and large, not responding sufficiently well. There was "a fear for one's own security and that of one's family" that had eroded "trust in the established" order of things, he said.

Mr Gonski went on to correctly point to the rise of social media - and the immediacy and sense of instant gratification and expectation that have flown with its rapid rise - as contributing to this angst. It's an interesting and important speech with many strands, that are worth absorbing. In this context, rarely has there been a more important time for publishers.

The Herald newsroom can never be reflective enough about its own contribution to this state of anxiety and negativity, witnessed around the globe - but no more so than in the dystopian pantomine that has come to be the US presidential elections.

We will bring you this week a coverage of the Clinton-Trump race to the White House that I hope is rich with diversity, voice and - above all else - accurate information, as and when it comes to hand. In such a rapid-fire news environment with ever-changing demands, I am constantly encouraging my staff to remain anchored in journalistic fundamentals of rigour - all the while balancing an almost-unquenchable audience demand for news, entertainment, analysis and insight.

It's something we don't always get right - but are always striving to do correctly, and responsibly. 

Unpacking these issues is complex and multi-layered - and I'll be seeking to engage the year's dizzying array of news events at our year-end subscriber event on November 28. As I write, it is close to selling out. There might still be time to grab a ticket at what promises to be a fun and engaging affair. 

And another thing...