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The Forum > Article Comments > Tasmania fumes over media misconduct > Comments

Tasmania fumes over media misconduct : Comments

By Mark Poynter, published 7/7/2010

The ABC should be accountable for the social, economic, and political damage caused by a poorly researched episode of 'Australian Story'.

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The problem here in Tassie is that some (not all, but some) environmentalists claim "corruption" in government, in society or wherever, as the starting point of their case rather than actually present the evidence for their claims. The lack of evidence is usually touted as proof of the corruption because governments/business etc "withhold" it in some kind of unspecified conspiracy. Then their friends at the ABC see the chance for an easy story. No research, no hard work, just interview someone claiming corruption. It's very poor journalism.

Most conspiracy theorists are not turned into "heroes" by the media, for the obvious reason that most are crazy. The able investigative journalists have these cranks ringing them up all hours. The better news providers do make the occasional error, but they do have some kind of quality control in place. The tabloid papers and low rent current affairs shows do not. With shows like "Australian Story", the ABC does seem to have difficulty at times deciding whether it's a serious news source or a tabloid/low rent rag.
Posted by huonian, Thursday, 8 July 2010 9:23:22 AM
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Sounds like there should be a follow up story retracting all claims found to be false. Of course this should be done for similar stories on commercial channels too, including the "A Current Affair" smear pieces found to be wanting.
The timing is suspect...but would have been appropriately "in the public interest" if it were true...Pretty important to get the facts right!
Alas, journalism is going the way of the US where "angle" is primary and the balance of facts is fitted to the "angle" rather than the story itself. Balanced reporting is seen as "wishy washy" and derided by all sides. Sadly also, the more biassed the general media is, the more bias is seen when genuine balanced facts are presented. The lead-up to war is a classic case: anything but jingoism was derided, when in fact dispassionate analysis was most required.
I reckon that some Green activists feel that the gloves are off now, so will resort to exaggeration and dubious timing. This approach must be discouraged for the damage it does to the real green causes, which are real and serious. Of course the anti-green side must be held to account too. The wild claims about "Climate-Gate" have been addressed, yet the hype on that non-event continues..."But there *were* WMDs...".
I reckon there is a concerted campaign to discredit science and professionalism generally. More Chaos and uncertainty suits some people quite nicely: manipulative power does not like impartial knowledge having sway over it's subjects!
Posted by Ozandy, Thursday, 8 July 2010 10:12:32 AM
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Clownfish,

This is a big request.

Please define the 'forestry' of which you 'are no great fan'.
Posted by hugoagogo, Thursday, 8 July 2010 11:47:51 AM
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This claim on Australian Story directly hurt a friend of mine in St Helens. He was close to finalising a deal which fell through due to this rubbish, which has caused him and his wife a lot of stress and cost them a lot of money. It's scandalous that this can be allowed to go on, without even an apology.
Posted by wilful, Thursday, 8 July 2010 4:46:49 PM
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Cornflower
I did not advocate censorship. The ABC can broadcast whatever they wish provided they do not do so with an electoral result in mind.

The aim of my six month 'gap' was to give time for an adequate response. Do you think it was fair and sensible for a serving MP to lose his seat because of deliberate distortion? That was reported to have happened in this instance.

If we want sensible and decent people to have a role in public life then we have to provide them from adequate protection from deliberately misleading assaults on their integrity and contribution.
Note my exemption where criminal activity is suspected.
Posted by Foyle, Friday, 9 July 2010 9:21:46 AM
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That should have been capital-F 'Forestry'; meaning Forestry Tasmania.
Posted by Clownfish, Friday, 9 July 2010 9:39:49 AM
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