When the Newspaper gets it completely wrong!

h0ughy (David) · #1 09-09-2005, 01:15 PM

On Thursday 8th September, our Astro society conducted a public viewing night. For the leadup to this event a reporter from a the Herald wanted to get a photo and story for the weeks events with the planets and venus. She had been sent images and several descriptionsAs to what they were looking at for the week. On that night a photographer turned up at the viewing night and asked for a telescope to be moved and positioned near a prominent landmark. Photo taken, and in print the next day (today) we find the aforementioned photo with a nice introduction, but no where was there a mention of our astro society, there was a photo remarkably similar to that submitted by the society for inclusion in the article but not credited. Another commercial interest had been fully given kudos in the article also promoting his business.

Yes we were abused, yes we were taken for a ride, and yes this will never happen again

. The reporter when confronted today denied all knowledge and stated that her article did in fact include credits to our society. I think that was utter _____. Obviously since my phone call the bridge of reasoning and future promotion has been burnt

. This unfortunately has not been an isolated case as this has occurred in the past.

Our society's president used to have a regular program with ABC radio and then for no reason they dumped the 5 minute program.

What will right this wrong, I don’t know?

But I think as members of a minority (but important) hobby we should stand up and shout aloud that we exist and what we do doesn't hurt the environment and is friendly to dolphins

!

I'll get off my soapbox now

iceman (Mike) · #2 09-09-2005, 01:19 PM

ah that sux David!
You need to change your avatar to an angry h0ughy! Stop smiling!

iceman (Mike) · #3 09-09-2005, 01:20 PM

Oh on a slightly related note, I was interviewed last night on Star 104.5 FM (central coast) about IceInSpace.. I won't have a chance to even hear it on the radio today so I hope they spliced up it properly

I've asked them to send me the recording that they end up putting to air.. hopefully they'll do that so I can load it on the site

h0ughy (David) · #4 09-09-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Oh on a slightly related note, I was interviewed last night on Star 104.5 FM (central coast) about IceInSpace.. I won't have a chance to even hear it on the radio today so I hope they spliced up it properly

I've asked them to send me the recording that they end up putting to air.. hopefully they'll do that so I can load it on the site

good for you Mike. They will either portray you as a babbling fruitcake or an articulate, well rounded individual!

Radio is fun like that

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 09-09-2005, 03:04 PM

Here Houghy, put this in your Avatar!

toetoe (Peter) · #6 09-09-2005, 03:10 PM

Thats a kick in the belly if ever theres one. Chin up David your the better person.

ving (David) · #7 09-09-2005, 03:40 PM

oh ken! what are we gunna do wiv ya?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 09-09-2005, 03:43 PM

hehehehe!

fringe_dweller · #9 09-09-2005, 04:16 PM

RFLOL LMAO!! Ken he said angry - not deranged!! - your deadly with a picture editing program mate - still laughing!
kearn

h0ughy (David) · #10 09-09-2005, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Here Houghy, put this in your Avatar!

geez ken I look like I was in a nuclear accident

acropolite (Phil) · #11 09-09-2005, 05:40 PM

IMHO the print media are often unethical, sometimes biassed even corrupt, and unfortunately at times, at least within our state, the ABC isn't much better. It's a sad reflection on our society.

CosMos (Rich) · #12 12-09-2005, 11:06 AM

Many years ago our Society tried to get a certain slot on a local radio station about astronomy. Turned down because it wasn't "sexy" enough for the public. The topic that day for discussion was beds. That's right, peoples stories around beds!!

Rich

Iddon · #13 12-09-2005, 08:11 PM

Hey Houghty - was this just incompetence? Or deliberate do you think ? Hard to pick between them sometimes.

h0ughy (David) · #14 12-09-2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iddon

Hey Houghty - was this just incompetence? Or deliberate do you think ? Hard to pick between them sometimes.

Incompetence could be explained, I think that this was deliberate. the article words would have already beed done days in advance, then all they do is make a hole for the photo and plan the rest of the paper. Take the picture and fill the hole. I'm not that dumb that I don't understand the Process, they thought I was. I wrote a letter to the editor and I have hod no response. But I didn't expect to either

Iddon · #15 12-09-2005, 08:49 PM

what paper - or does Wallsend as a location say it all

h0ughy (David) · #16 12-09-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iddon

what paper - or does Wallsend as a location say it all

I won't mention the Newcastle herald

wallsend's local rag is called the leader

Iddon · #17 12-09-2005, 09:53 PM

perfect use of veiled speech.

h0ughy (David) · #18 13-09-2005, 11:20 AM

at least they printed the response from our president.

I included the original atricle. In the picture are two NAS members (scott and patrick) and a member of the publc.

They didn't print my letter:

Sent: Friday, 9 September 2005 3:02 PM
To: 'letters@theherald.com.au'
Subject: use and abuse
Importance: High

I think it is absolutely abhorred when a regional newspaper takes advantage and abuses the very people it provides for. I refer to the article in Fridays (9/09/2005) herald written by Frances Thompson.

The journalist in question contacted the Newcastle Astronomical Society for help with the article that was to be written and the Herald had a photographer come to an event run by the Society, used society members and yet we received no mention, or reference in the article. There are standards of etiquette and common decency in reporting the truth, and to a large extent giving kudos where it is deserved. We are not Koolang Observatory and the owner of that Business was not attending the viewing night.

Give our Society a go "The Herald". Put this right!