I certainly think there is merit in getting off to these journalists letters that ask them to probe and ask the hard questions.
To put the article that started this thread in context however one could be believed this article started with the journalist in question popping into this company for an update on their situation.
Wrong I believe.
This article was lifted from a Media Release sent by Rex to the media to explain that "Rex announces network changes due to the pilot shortage". A copy of this media release can be seen in the ASX website under company announcements for REX. These announcements are naturally price sensative announcements that can effect share prices so the ASX receives these also.
Naturally media releases are carefully crafted pieces of literature authored by the company to explain news albeit good or bad but usually one will paint even bad news in a the best light possible.
Naturally media releases to the ASX need to be factually correct and it is correct to say "there is a pilot shortage and we do not have enough people to crew our planes", true, but a company would not be obliged to say "we cant attract pilots because (say) we dont pay enough" as this is arguable.
Enter the investigative journalist.
The issue here is really one of journalists receiving these media releases and upon reading them and armed with industry knowledge getting on the phone and saying we want to know if there is more to this story and to use the Pauline Hanson line "please explain".