She even had a dig at Jarvis

Fiona, you see, has abused her position. The heavily advertised article in the Sunday Examiner included a number of letters responding to her facile attempt to soften the impact of an imminent Media Watch article – but not all responses were published, and only those supporting her attempt to appear balanced and reasonable. She even had a dig at Jarvis.

Fiona was clever enough to ascertain that another Jarvis Cocker, a songwriter and musician of commendable talent, was the brain behind Pulp, perhaps the finest British rock band of the 1990s. But Tasmania’s Jarvis Cocker, according to Fiona at least, either doesn’t exist, or is hiding behind a shroud of anonymity.
I’m told Fiona is a journalist of repute. She even won some sort of Telstra self-advertising award a couple of weeks ago. Yet she has let her claims to credibility down on three points:

1 Fiona claims my offer to debate her any time, anywhere was not a serious offer, as she has no way of finding out whether I am real or not. Real? Get real yourself Fiona. A couple of decades ago, some clever people invented email. Since 2007, even some Examiner staff not only have access to the internet, but have an email address. You’ve got my email address. It was included in every online comment I’ve ever made on The Examiner’s website. You also have my mobile number. Additionally, excluding the handful of advertising staff posing as journos at The Ex, everybody knows my real name. Don’t use your pretend ignorance to pad out what amounted to a feeble attempt to promote The Examiner as a serious newspaper.

2. If Fiona is going to try to use Jarvis as an example of an anti-mill protestor in her advertorial, print my full contribution. Most of my letter was missing, and Fiona actually abused her position as editor by selectively deleting the sections of my content which put The Examiner in a poor light. Fiona, print the full letter, and I might forgive you.

3. Worst of all, Fiona is trying to pretend that The Examiner is offering fair and balanced coverage of the entire pulp mill debate. Quoting numbers of letters to the Editor is a complete cop out. Let’s look at the number of editorials going back six years (yes, Fiona, I have copies of them all), that claim the proposed pulp mill will be an `economic boost’ for Northern Tasmania. I included evidence to the contrary in my (largely unpublished) contribution, but of course that was ignored.

To quote Gough Whitlam (who I never particularly admired), It’s Time. For change. It would be good to see Phil Leerson back in advertising. Perhaps he could handle the Gunns account. Actually, he probably already is. A few new journalists might add some spice. Fiona could transfer sideways and handle fashion, or perhaps boxing, which seems to be a new Examiner focus.

Phillipa Duncan might make a good Editor. Fearless, honest, not afraid of being blackmailed by political spin doctors, and cute as well.

Jarvis is cashed up at the moment. He took some big positions in Fairfax put options last year, which have paid off handsomely. (Fiona might need to check with Wayne Chapman about what put options are. Gunns put options did nearly as well as Fairfax puts last year. It might be time to throw some money at fixing this joke of a paper.

Perhaps a few wealthy TT readers might throw a few bucks my way? We could petition Fairfax’ Board, the few remaining instos left, and even the shareholders (many of which are staff, who’ve lost most of their money recently).

A new editor, some decent journos, and I’ll even throw my hat in the ring for a part time gig as GM.

Send the cash, but don’t expect Fiona Reynolds to admit that she’s not just wrong, but has compromised her journalistic integrity.

Love,

Jarvis
xx

Where it all began: Statewatch on Sunday: Somepulp protesters shredding credibility

Make up your own mind. The Full Debate: In Tasmanian Times Media section, Here