Civilair does have a
PR adviser. Civilair does put out releases refuting ASAs spin. Journalists do read these forums, so they can acquaint themselves with the facts, or at the very least be able to ask ASA some pointed questions.
Unfortunately the media are more concerned with sensationalising a story to get people to read or watch. Journalists are also time poor, it is easier to cut and paste ASAs sensationalist spin that actually try to uncover the story.
Warren Truss has said today that we only work 30 weeks a year, and that we are claiming a 60% payrise on an average salary of $125k a year. Absolute rubbish, but puts pressure on the government.
We are just convenient fodder for political mudslinging, and to get the general public to howl in protest as they read/watch lazy journalism about supposedly greedy controllers holding the country to ransom.
It is what our media and politicians do. Maybe at some stage the tide will turn and ASAs mismanagement and bonus driven culture that has led us to this point will finally be uncovered. There are 50 people working in ASAs Corporate Relations area. How many ex-journos or friends of journos would be there?
I, like all controllers, am loathe to see anymore hardship imposed on the airlines. ASA like many organizations would rather spin the truth, which they have been doing for years, than admit any failings on their part. 50 people in the Spin Department. Why do we need that many?