Herald Sun falls foul of press watchdog for use of words ‘gun lobby’ in trolling accusations
News Corp’s Herald Sun has been disciplined by the Australian Press Council for implying every organisation within the gun industry was trolling a foundation and encouraging ‘disenfranchised men’ to own guns.
On June 20 2017, the Herald Sun published the article ‘Gun trolls target charity: Members distraught’ in print and ‘Gun lobby trolls trying to shut down Alannah & Madeline Foundation [AMF] over anti-firearm stance’ online, making references to ‘aggressive’ trolling of the AMF Foundation from the firearms lobby, which had led to counselling support.
The article appeared in the Herald Sun last year
Although the article did not name any particular organisation or group, it suggested ‘gun-lobby bullies’ were intimidating and abusing the foundation. It featured commentary from the AMF’s chief executive, Lesley Podesta, who said the gun industry was telling ‘disenfranchised men’ they were being victimised if their right to own better weapons was denied.
The complainant, Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA), said the various references to the ‘the gun lobby’ and ‘firearms’ lobby were unfair as they implicated individuals and organisations that promoted sensible use of firearms. It added the broad terms used to describe the industry suggested the SSAA’s involvement in the alleged trolling behaviour.
Herald Sun’s article suggests reputable organisations that are part of the “gun industry” campaign to recruit “disenfranchised young men as gun owners”, the complainant added.
The SSAA said no comment was sought from it or any other body within the gun industry, despite the article’s implication members of the gun industry were involved in trolling.
But the Herald Sun said it did not name the SSAA or any other body, arguing the word ‘lobby’ referred to a group of like-minded people seeking to achieve an outcome. The publication said Podesta’s interview implied those involved were ‘fringe elements’ of the industry.
The Herald Sun said as no single group was singled out or identified, it did not need to reach out for balancing comment from anyone.
However the press watchdog did not agree, deeming the article ‘misleading’. It said the article implicated reputable organisations by using the terms ‘gun lobby’, ‘firearms lobby’ and ‘gun industry’, and lambasted the news title for failing to seek a response or comment from any organisation or body in the industry.
“The SSAA said no comment was sought from it or any other body within the gun industry”
How could they possibly substantiate that claim?
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Easy to substantiate that claim, did you read the article?? There is not one line of commentary from any organisation within the gun industry.
If you want details, the case is below
http://www.presscouncil.org.au...../adj-1742/
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