The ad The Examiner wouldn’t publish; the Mercury did

John Hawkins

I have written an advertisement “The Inconvenient Truth” copy enclosed, this I have submitted to the Launceston Examiner who refuses to publish it quoting breaches of Section 52 of the Trade Practices Act.
Download the revised ad: hawkinsRevised_Inconvenient_Truth.pdf

Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tasmanian Times

Dear Lindsay,

You will no doubt remember Gunns spending a very large sum of money before and after the last Federal Election based on Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” Gunns case being based upon the “Inconvenient Facts.”

I have written an advertisement “The Inconvenient Truth” copy enclosed, this I have submitted to the Launceston Examiner who refuses to publish it quoting breaches of Section 52 of the Trade Practices Act.

I agreed to alter it slightly, see enclosed revised copy, my changes are circled

As I understand it a newspaper is not a public service, it exists to sell advertisements based on the quality of the news it provides. A newspaper does not have to give a reason why it will not run an advertisement; they are a private business; it is their choice and they have no obligation to be fair or balanced. Advertising buys influence.

As a private individual I am not covered by the Trade Practices Act and cannot bring a case against them. I request the Tasmanian Times runs this advertisement as originally put before the newspaper and I enclose a faxed copy of the revisions and discussions that I have had.

John Hawkins
‘Bentley’
Mole Creek Road
Chudleigh 7304