What lack of disclosure would that be, Mick?
You guys bang on about journalists reporting the truth, yet you're all accusing FGD135 (and others) of being Geoffrey Thomas without one iota of proof.
I don't give a flying fig who FGD is, but the hypocrisy in this thread is astounding!
So seeing as none of you know how the media industry works, I'll try to solve the mystery for you . . .
Geoff Thomas is employed by The West Australian.
Geoff Thomas can write whatever the hell he likes in his Linked in bio - that doesn't mean it's true (hint - do your research!).
In all likelihood, The West registered airlineratings.com as a spin-off publishing venture.
Geoff Thomas may have been a founding editor (as opposed to financial founder), but he likely wasn't the only one.
"Managing Director" is a title - it doesn't mean the MD has shares or any other fiscal interest in the company.
airlineratings.com may - or may not - have been Geoff Thomas's idea, pitched at newspaper management. In all likelihood (I am speculating - I have no inside knowledge), he may have partly come up with the idea jointly with the newspaper and possibly other writers, now employed as airlineratings.com editors.
Joint publishing ventures between journalists and media organisations are common.
It's really not that hard to understand.
Have a look at the list of editors:
Airline Ratings
Half of them are West reporters, while the remainder are freelancers.
Is it ethical? Not in my opinion. But it wouldn't be the first time a media organisation has quoted its own spin-off venture or specialist supplement to mutually benefit both parties (which are really one and the same party, after all).
You know, when the pot (loony conspiracy theorist pruners) call the kettle (media) black, it's time for the pot to stop smoking its namesake!
The rumour-mongering and lack of basic knowledge in this thread is embarrassing. Maybe even more embarrassing than the media's understanding of our sacred cow aviation industry!
