If only we could rely on our local media

Thanks Charles and Claire. I had the same thoughts whilst I was researching this piece.

Indeed, I wouldnt have bothered if I knew I could rely on our local media to the job. Matt Denholm, Sue Neales, Simon Bevilacqua and Airlie Ward excluded.

Too often what we get is balance for the sake of balance. Balance for fear of being terrified by the logging industry. Balance for fear of being sued by Gunns.

There is no question that the Tasmanian print and electronic media are cowed by Gunns. I’m scared of being sued by Gunns. I asked Lindsay to publish this piece with real fear and trepidation. Although I havent written anything as defamatory about Gunns as does get published on this and other blogs I realise that it not so much what you say but how well you say it that threatens companys and politicians.

It’s when you effectively highlight corruption and dishonesty that you are attacked. I recently copped a spray via email from a senior staff member of the Examiner after TT published a comparitively restrained critique I wrote of the Examiners coverage of the mill issue: (Here)

I must have hit a nerve.

Everything I have written in the Great pulp mill swindle is on the public record. So yes Claire and Charles, why is it left to people like me to volunteer dozens and dozens of hours writing and researching to tell what is a truly rotten tale, yet a case that is so easy to prosecute? It is all out there on the public record and as i stated, Professor Herr and Dr. Raverty stated the case for a commission of inquiry is to compelling to ignore.

Can Will Hodgmans show he is fairdinkum and commit to this should he win the 2010 state elction?

The Examiner newspaper just don’t get it. Rather than pursue what is malignant insult to our social fabric, the Examiner ignores it hoping it will go away.

But as Richard Herr said “It wont”. Not this one. What do the Examiner do instead? Give the former Premier a weekly opinion piece.

In my opinion no reputable local media should give the former Premier such a forum until the serious questions around the ugly and intractable problem that Mr Lennon has bought about as outlined in my article are resolved.

Only then can we all move on.

This comment appears HERE. Comment HERE

Rick Pilkington