Whats all the fuss about people,we now live in a culture where the lie is king,who tells the truth, our political people No, our newspapers No, our TV news NO, we live in fear of the truth in OZ, answer me a question Who do you trust our PM,Murdock, GW Bush, used car salesmen,doctors they all lie its just that some have elavated lieing to an art form

Yes, lies are bad, especially the one about catching the whales for research purposes..

The evidence for who was responsible for the collision is inconclusive; both ships were probably at fault. This scenario should have been at least considered by professional journalists.

However the media lead with headlines insinuating that the Japanese were the culprits. For example we read, ‘Greenpeace accuses Japan over collision’ from the ABC, ‘Walers set collision course with Greenpeace ship’ from The Age.

Graham Young rails against the actions of Greenpeace, using this example to support the main thrust of his article: that the media is not presenting factual news but opinion, either intentionally or through lazy incompetence.

I agree with him that an unbiased and fearless media is essential to the workings of a democracy. Although I do not agree with Japan taking whales the quality of our media is much more important to us.

So how about taking your various hobbyhorses and point-scoring to another venue. Can you please apply yourselves to posting comments on the quality of our media as the discussion the article seeks to promote.

Though not a great Greenpeace supporter I'm pretty outraged that this article claims the linked video footage and photos prove that the Greenpeace ship rammed the Japanese. It does nothing of the sort. Any interpretation could be put on it. If anyone knows about commanding large vessels the film could well be showing the Japanese shipping steering sharpley into the path of the Greenpeace vessel. Nor does it prove the Greenpeace version of events. This piece therefore cannot be taken seriously as it clearly sets out on a false premise to disparage Greenpeace. We shouldn't have to put up with blantant propaganda like this even if it is the internet

Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd claim that the Japanese whaling is illegal but can show no evidence of any legal process or of a conviction. This is because they have made no attempt at the due process of obtaining a legal conviction.

Sea Shepherd clearly admit to sinking ships it claims are "illegal"

Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are both judge, jury and executioner in their own courts.

Are Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd now to represent the Law?

In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote

"For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other."

The support given by the free press to those that operate ouside the law can only be viewed as a direct challenge to the hard fought system of government now present in free countries.

Goeff, If you are waiting for an unbiased media your wait will be a long one. There is no such thing as unbiased writing whether it be from professional journalists or online participants. Bias does not stop at the end stroke of the pen. The reader’s perspective adds a bias of its own and, as you can see from posts on this forum, can be exponential in its effect. Though I am sure everyone can heave a sigh of relief knowing that you will fearlessly interpret the articles so that us mere mortals may answer accordingly.
I can’t help but notice that you got on your hobbyhorse to score a point about a particular bias of yours. Funny that…