Channel 10 Reluctantly Apologise to Ansett
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Channel 10 Reluctantly Apologise to Ansett
A few nights ago Channel 10 screened video footage of an Ansett jet at its Sydney terminal with missing panels on its tail after having supposedly completing a flight.
In typical journalistic fashion Channel 10 screened the footage on its national news sensationalising the story without any facts.
Last night Channel 10 very briefly apologised as they subsequently found out the aircraft had not actually flown but was undergoing maintenance on the bay due to very high winds around the hangar area.
Why does it have to come to this when the entire debacle could have been avoided with just one phone call?
Why should AN/QF and whoever else is the media whipping-boy of the day put up with this journalistic crap and why should the public be fed disinformation on a regular basis?
The bit I love is when passengers are interviewed after a flight with an incident regailing such expert comments as "the aircraft made an awful noise when the landing gear came down!" and "we feared for our life when the engines roared after landing" (ie:reverse thrust).
In typical journalistic fashion Channel 10 screened the footage on its national news sensationalising the story without any facts.
Last night Channel 10 very briefly apologised as they subsequently found out the aircraft had not actually flown but was undergoing maintenance on the bay due to very high winds around the hangar area.
Why does it have to come to this when the entire debacle could have been avoided with just one phone call?
Why should AN/QF and whoever else is the media whipping-boy of the day put up with this journalistic crap and why should the public be fed disinformation on a regular basis?
The bit I love is when passengers are interviewed after a flight with an incident regailing such expert comments as "the aircraft made an awful noise when the landing gear came down!" and "we feared for our life when the engines roared after landing" (ie:reverse thrust).
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The thing is that people are scared of things they don't understand or can't control. As soon as they step on the plane they put all there trust into the pilots. When you get in a plane the average pax has very little idea of what is going on. And for the most part, with only a small porthole sized window to look side ways out of, they have no idea what could be happening.
Its this fear of the unknown which is gold for sensationalist media types, who milk it for all its worth. Also for this reason everyday people don't become as cynical about these sort of stories, and thats why the media continue to run aviation stories of no substance or relative newsworthiness.
Just my 2 cents
Its this fear of the unknown which is gold for sensationalist media types, who milk it for all its worth. Also for this reason everyday people don't become as cynical about these sort of stories, and thats why the media continue to run aviation stories of no substance or relative newsworthiness.
Just my 2 cents
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Here in the west there was no inkling of an apology - they merely stated the facts (for a change)and quoted a statement from An re the maintenance and reason the a/c was parked where it was. Total time approx 10 seconds.
Any wonder the media in this country are treated with disdain.
Any wonder the media in this country are treated with disdain.
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In previous jobs I have held, I used to have dealings with journalists and the ones I encountered were that stupid, the only job they could get was as a journalist. They would lie, decieve and twist stories. Total low lifes.
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Never let the truth get it in the way of a good 'story'!!!!!
I don't understand how anyone can seriously believe tv news... after all, it's prime directive is to sell advertising space, right????
I don't understand how anyone can seriously believe tv news... after all, it's prime directive is to sell advertising space, right????
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Hmmmm, in a previous life, I had considerable access to the local (Perth) radio and TV media (with a lesser contact with print). This was as a member of a metro WASES unit.
At no stage did I have any problems with any of the media we talked to. In fact, they were most helpful and obliging. We appreciated that they had a job to do, needed pictures / sound bites and tried to help them out, where we could.
They repaid us on numerous occasions (after which I was lucky enough to get hauled up in front of an Asst Commissioner of Police the following morning to explain my comments - lucky I wasn't paid staff!), including making helicopters available at short notice, putting out broadcasts, interviews on request etc. I still reckon I could have got sponsorship from TVW 7
All I'm saying is don't tar them all with the same brush, huh?
On the other hand, I agree with a lot of you about the crap that I see, but I blame it more on the proprietors and the great unwashed public who have no idea.
TANSTAAFL (The West Oz one)
At no stage did I have any problems with any of the media we talked to. In fact, they were most helpful and obliging. We appreciated that they had a job to do, needed pictures / sound bites and tried to help them out, where we could.
They repaid us on numerous occasions (after which I was lucky enough to get hauled up in front of an Asst Commissioner of Police the following morning to explain my comments - lucky I wasn't paid staff!), including making helicopters available at short notice, putting out broadcasts, interviews on request etc. I still reckon I could have got sponsorship from TVW 7
All I'm saying is don't tar them all with the same brush, huh?
On the other hand, I agree with a lot of you about the crap that I see, but I blame it more on the proprietors and the great unwashed public who have no idea.
TANSTAAFL (The West Oz one)
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As stated above, it is this idea that the pax can't control it that the media get in on.
Last year, some of you might remember, a regional carriers (shall remain nameless) aircraft landed at Cairns with an engine shut down. Being the media, they interviewed pax who told the them statements like 'It seemed like a normal flight' and 'we weren't told anything about an engine being shut down'.
The problem was that the pax weren't told anything because they had arrived on a flight from the same airline, about 10 minutes after the aircraft with the engine shut down had landed safely.
Of course they weren't told anything, their plane didn't have a problem. The pax on the a/c with the engine shut down were told what was going on, and on all reports were very happy with the crew and how they treated the problem.
Just remember, they can't let the facts get in the way of a good story!! That just wouldn't be good journalism.
Last year, some of you might remember, a regional carriers (shall remain nameless) aircraft landed at Cairns with an engine shut down. Being the media, they interviewed pax who told the them statements like 'It seemed like a normal flight' and 'we weren't told anything about an engine being shut down'.
The problem was that the pax weren't told anything because they had arrived on a flight from the same airline, about 10 minutes after the aircraft with the engine shut down had landed safely.
Of course they weren't told anything, their plane didn't have a problem. The pax on the a/c with the engine shut down were told what was going on, and on all reports were very happy with the crew and how they treated the problem.
Just remember, they can't let the facts get in the way of a good story!! That just wouldn't be good journalism.
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We slag them for using "artistic license" when things are quiet on the world front, and then we slagem for giving us too much "JUICE" when there is something happening.
Is a newspaper more stimulating to read when there's no major stories and a plethora of crud dragged out from the archives to fill the white spaces between the ads ? Or do you feel more "disturbed/satisfied" after reading your daily when it contains a bit of action ?
Is the News, 60 Minutes, ACA or TT a more stimulating view when they do a story on Mrs Agatha Misseltoe who's just turned 103 and what does she recommend in order to reach her overly ripe old age? (invariably includes a couple of shots of whiskey every day), or do you get more "satisfaction" from a story with a bit more grunt ?
I guess the reality is that it is a business and is driven by market forces. The worrying part is that it also drives market forces.
Is a newspaper more stimulating to read when there's no major stories and a plethora of crud dragged out from the archives to fill the white spaces between the ads ? Or do you feel more "disturbed/satisfied" after reading your daily when it contains a bit of action ?
Is the News, 60 Minutes, ACA or TT a more stimulating view when they do a story on Mrs Agatha Misseltoe who's just turned 103 and what does she recommend in order to reach her overly ripe old age? (invariably includes a couple of shots of whiskey every day), or do you get more "satisfaction" from a story with a bit more grunt ?
I guess the reality is that it is a business and is driven by market forces. The worrying part is that it also drives market forces.
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EPIRB, to paraphrase your comments: In previous jobs I have held, I used to have dealings with pilots and (some of) the ones I encountered were that stupid, the only job they could get was as a pilot. They would lie, decieve and twist stories. Total low lifes. The other X% are of course lovely people. Were you perhaps a copper? I think TANSTAAFL makes my point, don't you?
Powderhound, you left out item 3:
3. "Dad, I was seen in a bar with with a pilot."
You folks shouldn't tempt us to write all about what we really know.
Powderhound, you left out item 3:
3. "Dad, I was seen in a bar with with a pilot."
You folks shouldn't tempt us to write all about what we really know.
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Yeah, but Brenda....To date, you have not answered the question as to why a little effort can not be applied to investigating the facts, rather than inventing or assuming.....
Are you suggesting that everything you were told you accepted as being fact, or did you at least attempt to verify that which you were being told???
Even Pilots take the time to appraise any given situation, sometimes something as simple as a check list will give an answer.
They would lie, decieve and twist stories.
Even Pilots take the time to appraise any given situation, sometimes something as simple as a check list will give an answer.
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I don't understand why journalists are not responsible for what they report. And if they are responsible, why all the misrepresentation???
powderhound : you forgot "accountant"
powderhound : you forgot "accountant"
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Brenda Starr,
It is my understanding that as a journalist, you are supposed to track down the facts to provide the public with a knowledgeable understanding of the incident.
Unfortunately in aviation, it seems that far too many journalists discard some of the facts of the incident/accident to make the story more interesting.
You state :-
"In previous jobs I have held, I used to have dealings with pilots and (some of) the ones I encountered were that stupid, the only job they could get was as a pilot. They would lie, decieve and twist stories. Total low lifes."
Well if that was the case (And I am making a presumption that you have a bit to do with journalism from your post) don't you see something wrong when you are saying that the stories were full of "lies, deceit and twisted". It seems to me that you were talking to the wrong people when trying to find the truth.
Tinstaafl has stated that we shouldn't tar all journalists with the same brush. I couldn't agree more with that statement. Most journalists are there to find the facts, but the problem seems to be that whilst the public don't often have much of a clue, the journalists continue to get 'eyewitness' (sometimes supposed 'expert') reports from this same unknowing public.
So I suggest before you threaten that you will publish all you know, you research your facts very, very carefully. Otherwise, there will be more apologies like Channel Ten's.
It is my understanding that as a journalist, you are supposed to track down the facts to provide the public with a knowledgeable understanding of the incident.
Unfortunately in aviation, it seems that far too many journalists discard some of the facts of the incident/accident to make the story more interesting.
You state :-
"In previous jobs I have held, I used to have dealings with pilots and (some of) the ones I encountered were that stupid, the only job they could get was as a pilot. They would lie, decieve and twist stories. Total low lifes."
Well if that was the case (And I am making a presumption that you have a bit to do with journalism from your post) don't you see something wrong when you are saying that the stories were full of "lies, deceit and twisted". It seems to me that you were talking to the wrong people when trying to find the truth.
Tinstaafl has stated that we shouldn't tar all journalists with the same brush. I couldn't agree more with that statement. Most journalists are there to find the facts, but the problem seems to be that whilst the public don't often have much of a clue, the journalists continue to get 'eyewitness' (sometimes supposed 'expert') reports from this same unknowing public.
So I suggest before you threaten that you will publish all you know, you research your facts very, very carefully. Otherwise, there will be more apologies like Channel Ten's.
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Okay Brenda, why is it that so many journalists don't tell the real truth when reporting ie. why do they lie? Why don't they research their stories properly? Or are they just totally gullible? At the scene of a fatal parachute accident that I was involved with, why do they push themselves and their questions in front of obviously grieving people for a response? Why do they publish things they are specifically told not to publish (in my case an address)? These are the dealings I have had so you can see why I don't have a high opinion of journalists. I await your response to the above questions.
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EPIRB, just to clarify it was me (TANSTAAFL), not TINSTAAFL, who made the comment. Wouldn't want to get 'im into trouble on my behalf!
While we're at it (and after watching the AUSSAR program on 4 Corners), if I see another re-enactment I'll barf. Do journo's or editors really think that I don't know what it looks like swimming in the water with a liferaft? Kinda like the obligatory 're-enactment' when showing a news story of a burglary or a handbag snatch. Sheez....
TANSTAAFL (or was it TINSTAAFL?)
While we're at it (and after watching the AUSSAR program on 4 Corners), if I see another re-enactment I'll barf. Do journo's or editors really think that I don't know what it looks like swimming in the water with a liferaft? Kinda like the obligatory 're-enactment' when showing a news story of a burglary or a handbag snatch. Sheez....
TANSTAAFL (or was it TINSTAAFL?)
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Tanstfaal, it makes for good viewing by making it more dramatic (than maybe it possibly was), filling in time within the time constraints of the program and most importantly keeps the viewers interested. More viewers equals better ratings.
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OK guys and gals,
Maybe it is time to start a campaign,(thread) about which publications are to be believed when it comes to reporting AVIATION related matters.
The Friday Australian is the only rag which I trust at the moment, probably as I am too busy scanning the Jobs Ad's to pay any attention to the other crap on the same page, which I am sure is their intention.
I find it very difficult to justify trust in anything any jurno writes about any other subject,when they miss the mark by such a wide margin on a job which I have been doing for 30 years!!!
Maybe it is time to start a campaign,(thread) about which publications are to be believed when it comes to reporting AVIATION related matters.
The Friday Australian is the only rag which I trust at the moment, probably as I am too busy scanning the Jobs Ad's to pay any attention to the other crap on the same page, which I am sure is their intention.
I find it very difficult to justify trust in anything any jurno writes about any other subject,when they miss the mark by such a wide margin on a job which I have been doing for 30 years!!!
