An erudite discussion on the finer points of media ethics
The key to good tabloid journalism is to have a thick skin, and to always react constructively to criticism.
Here’s a great example, involving a member of the public and The Telegraph’s Amy Harris whose byline appears today on a story about naked selfies of NRL player George Burgess:
On 12/07/2013, at 10:38 AM, “Matt Hancock” wrote:
Amy,
Can you please explain to me how the naked, presumably private, ‘selfies’ of South Sydney player George Burgess are a ‘problem’, and how the story in general is in the broader public interest?
As far as I’m aware, no crime has been committed here. It isn’t a scandal. It’s mud. Thrown at a young man who gets paid to play football.
So perhaps in the interest of journalistic balance, you would now also like to pass comment on the ‘ugly’ nature of the officially sanctioned “Dieux du Stade” and “Gods of Football” calendars? Plenty of bums and penises in those glossy little numbers.
And when you’re next asked to write a story on why no footballer has come out as gay since Ian Roberts almost a generation ago, you’ll reflect on your snide little reference of how these images are now circulating on a ‘men’s gay porn site’. How horrific.
I can only hope that you will be spared the indignity of having your sex life splashed across the daily rags by ‘journalists’ such as yourself.
You’re actions and those of your editor are reprehensible, and if you had any integrity as a person, let alone a journalist, you’d pick up the phone and apologise.
Regards,
Matt Hancock
So it’s good to see that Harris carefully weighed up the issues involved, the questions posed and the wider public interest questions before responding:
Matt,
You’re a moron.
Regards,
Amy.
Sent from my iPhone
Class dismissed.
5.50pm update: Harris tells Dr Mumbo:
“I probably should have just deleted it rather than respond at all. Maybe he’s not a moron but his I thought email was moronic.”
And Matt tells Dr Mumbo:
“Further to my earlier email, I have spoken at length with the Manager Editorial News Nationwide at News Limited, Trevor Seymour, and he has assured me that the issue has been taken seriously by management and addressed promptly. I’m more than happy with his assurances.
#calmdownamy
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Is Amy Harris a 16 year old schoolgirl?
And to think some real journalists are looking for work.
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You’d think the Telegraph’s gossip section would know moronic when they saw it.
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Amy:
As someone who also works in media, we regularly get emails we do not agree with or even emails that might attack us personally, so if you took offense, then yes, you should have deleted it. It is OK to think the email was moronic, but to take the time to respond via email and to call someone (who took the time to read your article and respond) a ‘moron’ is completely uncalled for. AND, then to respond further to Mumbrella with your tone, unreal. Good luck getting respect from readers and your peers.
John
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“You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think it means” might apply here to Amy. “moron” wouldn’t usually encompass lucidity.
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Amy and her colleague Joel are releat offenders in theor Sydney Confidential articles, facts are wrong, small minded opinons repetitive and writing without class.
Gossip really seems to be their strong point.
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Exactly what Stephen said….to think, there are real journalists out there who can’t find jobs, and this one has a paycheck.
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Totally agree with Stephen. But Iin Amy’s defence, the writer did refer to “you’re” actions…I’d be annoyed, too!
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ACK! ^ *in Amy’s defence.
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