“Just the facts, ma’am”: What a citizen should expect from the media

Guest Author Uncategorized

Today’s Guest Author is Catalyst, with an eloquent plea to the media and our legislators. Thank you, Catalyst.

The earnest request for ‘Just the facts, ma’am,’ came from Dragnet’s lieutenant Joe Friday. An old time TV series with clear back and white values. Joe Friday’s remark encapsulates what I want from the media in their role of reporting news stories. The facts, clearly stated without distortion or interpretation.

Opinion pieces that are labelled as such are another matter. For some time now in my opinion, our ‘fourth estate’ has been failing us, the public, in factual reporting

The fourth estate, which is how journalists are described, has a unique function in our western democracies. They are supposed to represent us, the people. Their task is to stand for the interests of the people in scrutinizing the events of the day, fairly and without favour, especially the actions of the government and opposition. I’ve italicised where I believe our media fails us, most especially when it comes to subjecting the opposition to scrutiny. Not just reporting what they say, but actually looking for policies.

The term ‘fourth estate’ derives from the British Westminster system. This includes the Lords spiritual, the bishops, the Lords temporal, the aristocracy, in the House of Lords and the lower house, House of Commons, representing the majority of people in the Parliament. Accountability was supposed to be ensured by the scrutiny of the parliament by the ‘fourth estate’. Our Parliament is run along Westminster lines- replacing the concept of The House of Lords with the Senate- also supposed to be a house of review.

Under their own code of ethics (which some these days believe an oxymoron) journalists are expected to ‘report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress facts or give distorting emphasis.’

(Australian News Commentary. Journalists code of ethics – an oxymoron? http://www.Australian-news.com.au/codethics.htm. Accessed 28/6/2009)

The Journalists’ code states that they are not supposed to display any type of bias. ‘Do not allow personal interest…to undermine your accuracy.’

(Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Journalists’ Code of Ethics http://www.alliance.org.au/code of ethics.html. Accessed 24/06/2013)

Additionally, journalists are also expected to apply the rules of disclosure. These say that a journalist must publicise facts about themselves which might reasonably be assumed to colour their opinions.

Opinions might be influenced by belonging to a political party, company or organisation. Equally, being married to someone who was a member of a political party, having worked or consulted for a party, company or organisation. Being a relative, a friend or former employee, would also need to be disclosed, as would any payments made to the journalist or gifts or trips. I believe that these rules are breached almost daily, knowingly, and flagrantly. The process has escalated since the tabloidization of the media.


(Image credit: iStockphoto)

What I want are the facts: unadorned, reported as fairly and accurately as possible, given these I want to evaluate them for myself. Facts unslanted by bias, opinion or commentary.

I don’t want to read reports affected by the ‘special relationship’ a columnist has with a pollie. Neither do I want an opinion paid for by Telstra, Qantas or any major company or person. The type of thing that both John Laws and Alan Jones espoused a few years back, whilst failing to disclose their commercial arrangements to their listeners.

And I want a code that is enforceable: one than makes journalist responsible for accuracy, look out for bias, and actually be responsible for checking their facts. How can I believe in a self-regulating code which has journalists judging the actions of other journalists? A code that has no meaningful penalties?

One example we in Australia might emulate is a code that has amazed Americans: the Canadian Truth in Media Code. This made news when a new broadcaster, SUN TV, wanted to enter the Canadian television news market.

Americans discovered that you could not lie on Canadian broadcast news. They were shocked. The idea that a FOX-type news programme was set to be presented in Canada galvanised thousands of ordinary Canadians into action. They liked their factual news, and did not want to the sort of reporting FOX is known for.


(Image credit: Roguemedia)

The Canadian Media Authority, CRTC or Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (similar to our ACMA) had a proposal under consideration, one which would have relaxed the current rules. Disallowed programming content included ‘broadcasting false or misleading news’. The plan to loosen up this rule was scrapped once Canadians made their feeling known. It appears the public feared a lack of civility in public discourse and a deliberate muddying of political waters.

(On the Media http://www.onthemedia.org/2011/mar/o4/lying-is-illegal-in-canadian-broadcast-news-transcript.30/06/2013)

Canadians expected, nay, demanded that their news remained factual. While the Canadian code only applied to broadcast news, it is surely not beyond the will and wit of lawmakers to extend its scope to newspaper reportage. Something similar, if applied here, might help restore civility to the public domain.

If newspaper sales are declining (and they are) and journalists are held in little regard, may I suggest that in some small part this situation is of their own making? They told us what they were supposed to do – and then failed to do it.

They played their own game, rewrote the rules to suit themselves, and forgot that they were supposed to be representing us, the people: verifying facts, and working on our behalf. Instead they decided to collaborate, to tell us the same stories, and to direct us to think as they did and do as they told us. How can they fail to realise they trashed the brand?

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Disclaimer. I am not, nor have ever been a member of any political party, none of my family are politicians, I have not worked, consulted or been paid by any political organisation, or worked for any political organisation in a paid or voluntary capacity.

I am simply a citizen with an interest in politics.

963 thoughts on ““Just the facts, ma’am”: What a citizen should expect from the media”

  1. jack, at the time that vid was taken (June 2010) Ms Collins was a backbencher, and had never held a cabinet ministerial portfolio.
    Tbh, it doesn’t look like stuttering to me, just a bit of ‘open mic’ nerves while she gathered her thoughts. She could well have been wondering why on earth they weren’t asking Martin Ferguson about the mining tax, instead of her.

  2. Jackhawks,

    I think we are both right. I especially hope that the Opposition continues to get down and dirty – I think the general public is becoming sick of that tactic, especially now that it’s being applied to that nice Mr Rudd.

  3. I watched 7.30 Affair to see what’d happen after Sales’ teaser about the “failed” insulation program. One of the several, vast, no go areas in Australian commentary is the economic & social benefits of this scheme, to say nothing of its immediate stimulus effects. Stayed on grimly once it was clear Uhlmann was doing the hatchet job, then marvelled at Leigh doing her best Tracy Grimshaw impression. I think they’ve stated their intent tonight, virtually declaring they’ll be bringing out all the nasties they can find on Rudd’s history. All the more galling when you consider the automatic forgiveness when simple amnesia won’t do of Abbott’s contradictory past.

    A bad night really, with Laurie Oakes declaring that questions would be waiting for Rudd when he got to Indonesia. Perhaps a new slant on the “no matter where (s)he goes, (s)he can’t escape questions about…” angle.

  5. Goodnight, my friends; sweet dreams.

    Let us awake tomorrow refreshed and ready for the fray. Because fray it will be, for the foreseeable future.

    Just remember:

  6. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/shorten-to-states-this-is-as-good-as-its-gets-20130704-2pelo.html

    New Education Minister Bill Shorten has played down hopes the federal government will offer significant extra money to win over the states and salvage its $15 billion national school funding reforms.

    The man who has nine days to secure the so-called Gonski overhaul dampened expectations of a breakthrough when he meets Victorian Education Minister Martin Dixon on Friday, warning hold-out states the existing offers were ”good” and the federal government would deliver its share ”as promised”…

    …Mr Shorten signalled he would not take a radically different approach from that of predecessor Peter Garrett and former prime minister Julia Gillard…

    Note: poll at bottom of page.

  10. leone, don’t even think of Julia Gillard being part of a staged deal! Nor any of her supporters that evening. They all had their hearts on their sleeves and hers was pretty badly bruised. Which made her handling of it all that much more admirable – the acceptance and the insistence that Labor move on to work to win the election.

  12. patriciawa
    Don’t worry, I agree with you, I’m not buying that staged deal story. I don’t feel I need to go into any of that now. It’s over and done. Just let me say that I believe history will be very kind to Julia Gillard and Rudd will get everything he deserves in spades.

  13. leone2
    Yep. Is the termite in apologising mode again? Why, oh why, is he always apologising for Labor programs? *bangs head on desk*

  14. puffytmd
    He hasn’t curbed his desperation to control the 24 hour news cycle.

  15. I don’t think it was a staged deal, but maybe PMJG had wargamed the possibility of that happening and had her response worked out. Being all class where Rudd is all aske (sorry qlders) of course she reacted the way she did. But I believe she wanted to go to the election, and I still think she would have won.

  17. And do these parents bear zero responsibility? Did they let their kids go off on a new job and not even inquire into or do any research into what it is, what are the risks and tell their kid it is okay to get the hell out of there if the employer is putting them at risk? On of them was only 16, for goodness sakes.

  18. Didn’t notice Leigh’s announcement that TA was “unavailable” last night – having said he was going to be on – crickets…..

  19. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
    Things are getting worse by the day for Essendon.
    http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/invoice-backs-claims-of-banned-peptide-use-20130704-2pezn.html
    Tony Wright iis totally unfunny, a waste of space.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/albo-acting-up-with-merry-faux-pas-20130704-2pey0.html
    Andrew Dyson on stopping the boats.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/andrew-dyson-20090819-epqv.html
    Cathy Wilcox on why democracy is so difficult in the Middle East.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/cathy-wilcox-20090909-fhd6.html

  20. Section 2 . . .

    David Pope on Rudd treating the NSW disease.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0.html
    Ron Tandberg is on a roll with Abbott’s chances.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/ron-tandberg-20090910-fixc.html
    David Rowe with Rudd’s new consultative approach. Look at the native in the background.
    http://www.afr.com/p/national/cartoon_gallery_david_rowe_1g8WHy9urgOIQrWQ0IrkdO

  21. And from the Land of the Free –

    Some cartoons on the 4th of July.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2013/07/04/cartoons-of-the-day-happy-fourth-of-july-2/
    More on North Carolina’s efforts on women’s health.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2013/07/03/video-gops-overreach-around-no-carolina-senator-the-senators-on-the-floor-are-only-voices-that-matter/
    Rachael Maddow has her say on thhe matter.
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017129192
    Oh what a pity! What a bunch of dropkicks.
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017128901
    This short video extract says plenty about the US.
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017129123

  22. Paul Keating taking apart the Libs’ feeble attempt at a policy document. Things haven’t changed muchh.

  23. http://thehoopla.com.au/mmm-place-nice/

    Less than twenty-four hours after Rudd returned from ‘rocking around the place’ to lead our fine nation towards a future based on gas-based cooking, he decided to go all vigilante on refugees.

    It’s an odd decision, considering that he was simultaneously banging on about heralding in an era of kinder, gentler politics.

  26. It must now be MSM/ABC. policy to stich “botched” onto any mention of fiscal stimulus policy.

  28. BK. …AHH!…thems were the days!…..”I’m getting to love that attitude”…..If Rudd doesn’t do something about the ABC.”attitude” he’ll go the way of fightback!

  29. A further thought on Danny’s theory: it certainly wasn’t planned ahead (albeit in some respects, apart from the horrific personal assault on PM Gillard, it would represent the most fabulous sting of all).

    But there could have been an adaption in the last month or so, as the polling continued relentlessly, as did the white-anting. As Alistair Campbell visiting here stated, the only thing preventing Labor being a mile in front on economic/employment performance alone was the leadership struggles. It had to be settled and soon.

    It was probably not pre-arranged as a handover, but an agreement could still have been reached that this would have been it. A final showdown with the other quitting. It might explain why Rudd was more or less following the PM’s guidelines on public appearances on the one hand, and Gillard was pretty relaxed about where it was all going on the other.

    I like Puff’s guess, that the PM’s office might have war-gamed the situation and looked at the strong probability of losing, seeking mainly to safeguard the program legacy. The prominence of women in Cabinet gives some chance of that, as well as countering a female backlash against the disgraceful treatment of the PM by all the parties remaining.

  31. I don’t believe it was “managed” either….but Juila Gillard, being of a much more elevated intellect than the detrirus left behind..on both sides of the house..quickly did the maths and made her decision in light of that…She always and some times to her detriment, played a straight bat rather than a flamboyand, theatrical flourish and that is how she finished the job…”spin-bowled…walked, bat under arm, head held high after a brilliant century”……
    Now…let the theatre begin..BRING ON THE CLOWNS!

  33. Bushfire…

    Thanx for heads up re: Torch Browser …best yet I’m thinking 🙂 …loving the dedicated music channel + embedded torrent software.

    My grandson says it’s actually a Chrome Browser …with add-ons. I find it’s much faster than Chrome at loading pages..

    All I need now is the NBN to make most of it 😉

  34. Good morning all.

    I tuned in this morning to discover I’ve been put on slow-mo – a taste of what Fraudband will be like if the abbott gets his paws on power.It has taken me an hour and a half to change my plan which comes into effect at midnight, so it is going to be a painful day.

    I don’t buy the notion that there was a Gillard/Rudd deal. However, it matters not because we got what we got whether we like it or not. I just look forward to seeing Julia Gillard going from strength to strength and showing all those Australians who demeaned her, tried to break/destroy her just what a gem they discarded in favour of ….?… (I leave it to others to fill in the blank).

    Meanwhile, all the holier-than-thou all knowing msm journalists will do their best to whitewash their own part in tearing down a great PM and having a fun time deciding which MALE leader they talk up or down.

  35. The difference between Fraser’s Boat People and todays Boat People. It is called Bipartisanship. Fraser was not more left wing, he was acting on the Refugee Convention, which Australia is a member. He did not have to follow a Howard Policy nor a carping Opposition, along with a raving ranting mob of Shock Jocks. Remember Fraser’s attitude to Apartheid in South Africa. Also the highest ever Interest Rates highest unemployment. The Fraser Government was probable Australia’s worst Government.

  37. foreverjanice…

    The ‘introspection’ by our brave media & acceptance of their role in bringing down Julia …since the Kerry-Anne Walsh book was launched onTuesday …has been deafening!! 😦

  38. It must now be MSM/ABC. policy to stich “botched” onto any mention of fiscal stimulus policy.

    It’s ‘botched’ in the same way that Mirabella is a ‘botch’. The MSM and Coalition have been ‘botching’ about it for three years.

  39. We should complain too much about the Liberals attack on Collins.

    Apples and oranges, GD. Abbott was leader of the Opposition at the time that interview was conducted, not a backbencher. The Collins one was clearly cut to make something minor look a lot worse than it actually was. And Abbott just plain didn’t answer the question he was asked, despite being given plenty of time and opportunity to do so, and knowing in advance what the question would be about.

    The Collins one clearly showed somebody who knew what they were talking about but was having trouble getting the words out. The Abbott one showed someone whose brain was not working at all – and trying to get away with it. The most damning part of it was at the end when he said, “I’ve given you the answer you deserve.”

    The other thing is that the Abbott interview already had a high recognition value, given the prominence it had on Seven’s news broadcast. Everyone knows about it and can tie it in with what they already know of Abbott. The Collins one was more along the lines of, “Hey, look at this stupid woman you’ve never seen before!”

    It’s really gratifying to see the Coalition trawl through the files to dig up something, anything, they can use to make a baseless attack on an MP’s character. Really restores my faith in politics.

  41. I believe we may be witnessing a revolution..not toward progressive thinking, but rather in suppression of the liberal attitudes of a whole generation. there is perhaps a political move by both parties to deminish and even remove radical elements from both parties and even from public perception.
    I was watching the abysmal,sentimental gushing that passes for ABC. drame these days when I started to regret the passing of that brilliant and salaciously pointed series of plays by that British bloke..forget his name, but one of the plays was of the older lady who was reffered to the chiropodist with the foot fetish and in her soliloquy praising the bloke she was completely unaware of the man’s obsession with her foot!…bloody good acting…..but there you go..now we have these beige, sentimental, moralistic mash….all with the message :”Behave yourself or this will happen to you!”….hardly bear watching.
    But that’s where the revolution is heading with two religos’ at the helm and a bunch of wanker catholics weighing anchor for the Vatican!
    Sure, it is a “civilised revolution”…but the end result will be the same for us older generation…and like the handiwork of the Gillard years, we will more than likely see a “compromise” on “economic reality”….leaning as always, of course, toward the vested interests!
    And THAT…my little chickadees..will teach US a lesson.
    Ghhhhet…..F*cked!

  42. WTF is Rudd doing apologising for the HIP associated deaths …again? I just don’t get it …the Installation Co’s should have known and followed OH&S procedures ….it’s NOT the Govt’s responsibility FFS!!

    Rudd just playing into the grubby opposition’s insatiable appetite for smear/fear …when he should be pinning them down on POLICY …and Abbott’s cowardice.

  43. Leone,

    Mary Crooks was on Jon Faine’s program about 40 minutes ago talking about this ad – which I have saved as a pdf, thank you 🙂 – and the first two talkback callers after the interview were in complete support. I didn’t stick around for more, as Mr Greg Hunt was going to “respond” to Mr Dreyfuss on the pink batts matter.

  46. Ah, yes!..Alan Bennet…you know..I always get his name mixed up(for some reason) with Benjamin Britten!…thanks Mark!

  47. It’s so hard to let go, jaycee, because we went so close to greatness against all the odds, but still somehow managed to bugger it up.

    It is very close to the Manning Clark narrative of our history. It has fleeting moments of true greatness before stumbling. Yet something is salvaged from the noble venture, which we hope will be the case now.

    In general, however, on the political scene Australians seem more comfortable with mediocrity and banality, and not having to think too much.

  48. I guess the ABC-Murdoch-Liberal nexus got a little bit clearer last night:

    ABBOTT: Oh goody, Rudd’s back, I can talk about batts again.

    ABC: Oh no, please, allow us.

  50. Well it looks as though it will not go away, no matter how many apologies are given. This HIS which was a great success is again being shoved down Rudds throat, due to the deaths of 4 young men (due to the bad management of their employers). Yet I remember how Possum had did the research, the actual number of deaths per 100 Thousand homes, having installed Roof Insulation, was less in the HIS as was the norm, due to stronger insulation regulation introduced.
    So Rudd has committed another Mia Culpa. Deja Vu all over again 🙂
    I saw a small clip of the parents of one of the young men, they sounded as though they want compensation from the Government and just want Rudd to “go away” I think they are rusted on Coalition Voters.
    The other point on the Coroner’s Judgement, it could be that he felt the least costly way of getting paid Compensation is to include both State and Federal Governments to have some if any, however small, responsibility for the deaths.
    Or is it that if the HIS was not implemented then those deaths would have not occurred and maybe they would have joined the increasing unemployment que, and then being accused of being a Dole Bludger.

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