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Editorial choices harm newspapers more than new devices

Bloggers and online commentators have been doing the heavy lifting on the St Kilda and AFL footballer scandal.  While The Age, the Herald Sun and TV and radio news outlets have  taken a back seat with this story, Derryn Hinch, Mike Stuchbery and Phil Quin and been providing the level of commentary and assessment a story like this deserves.

Derryn Hinch in particular has written some excellent pieces teasing out the real story behind what is now called the dickileaks scandal.

Mainstream media outlets worried about their future in this era of significant disruption need to look at how they handle stories which are connected to commercial partners.  By bowing (pandering) to the AFL (and related parties) and not reporting without fear or favour (as they should), as appears to have happened in this case, mainstream media has lost the story and with that the respect of some consumers.

This is what will kill newspapers, evidence of them not doing their job. With easier access to platforms such s Twitter, people who would buy a newspaper or switch on to TV or radio for the latest on a story have options which do present a without fear or favour perspective on major stories.

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  1. Ross

    Well said Mark

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  2. Nelson

    Pot calling the kettle black isn’t it, since you censor this site Mark

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  3. John Kirkham

    Geez Nelson, you’re a piece of work.

    Did you’re brain/common sense not kick in and realise why he ‘censors’ stuff ?

    I’ve had Mark delete my post’s. It’s his blog.

    He can get rid of what he wants. Basically you’re denigrating him the use of his own blog by what you’ve insinuated.

    Every time I’ve been deleted by Mark, I never gave a stuff. Because I stuffed it up.

    Welcome to the internets…

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  4. Ex-Newsagent

    Nelson – a rapid “reactionary response” to a well commented Blog – are you NEWS, NRL or AFL Nelson?
    I’m going to have some chips!! Mark only made one spelling mistake over 203 words and you made two gramatical ones over 13 words Nelson!
    I think you missed the point!

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  5. Peter

    Off topic…

    Just received some wonderful displays with the morning papers from News promoting the IPAD news apps – why would we their distribution try and promote customers out of our shop – their kidding?

    After bombarding with full page adds all week in the courier mail – now this?

    Chhers

    Peter

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  6. Mark

    I don’t delete comments or refuse to publish comments unless they are laden with offensive language or are, in my view, defamatory. That said, it is only the first comment by a contributor which is moderated. Once that first comment is through, all other comments are published immediately and automatically.

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  7. Jeff

    Good post Mark. As a Saints fan I have been disgusted that their spin has the newspapers under a spell. I am glad to see that Derryn Hinch is chasing this story. If we can’t rely on newspapers to report then what is their value?

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  8. June

    Have women reached only a glass ceiling? I’m afraid so! The whole “dickieleaks” affair (sic) reminds me of the Good girl/Bad girl syndrome of my youth
    and it saddens me to see that it is still out there and is being continued by the AFL and other sporting codes who simply refuse to accept that their players do not respect women and probably don’t really respect themselves.
    By covering themselves the AFL makes it look as though this girl did something wrong and totally negates that the blokes actually had to have their clothes off to have the photos taken in the first place. Jocks with no brains most of them – sorry to over generalize but this girl is copping plenty and all she is doing is telling the truth!!!
    Andrew Demetriou should be ashamed of himself

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  9. David

    Yes Melbourne newspapers are showing that they do not care about news. Thanks for the links Mark, they provide a more complete report on the story.

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  10. Nelson

    Another Mark Fletcher Show. You posted my comments previously but when I started to raise issues that seemed to touch a little close to home you declined my postings and each one has been moderated since and all except my post on this topic have been declined.
    Some months back when I drew attention to a winding up application against your company my posting appeared and within 15 minutes you deleted, it was not defamotory nor offensive in its language it was a matter of public record. I also asked if you were the person who asked POS Solution to remove blog postings again not offensive not defamatory. I also asked was Tower systems up for sale as I had heard reports – again not posted. So i again say pot calling the keetle black don’t you think.
    Sorry ex-newsagent English is my third language so I apologise for any errors in grammar.
    John Kirkham yes my brain did kick in, hence my post

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  11. Mark

    Nelson, you have sought to damage my software company and its brand as did one of my competitors earlier this year. The last few months have shown that what I said publicly at the time of the action was right – it was a mistake. The proof of the extent of the mistake is that the applicant of the winding unreservedly withdrew their application and the cheque I subsequently received (and banked) from them.

    I cannot comment on what POS Solutions does or does not publish at their corporate blog.

    Tower Systems is not for sale and has not been for sale. I’d love a dollar for every time I have had to counter that spin this year. Again, a competitor has sought to promote this story.

    Tower has ended the year on a terrific high. Our newsagency market share has grown, again, and we continue to lead on innovation for newsagents. The Tower newsagent community is the largest newsagent community in the country – 1,700+ strong.

    I’m not sure why you are so fascinated with me. You have my number – 0418 321 338 – say what you want to say directly to me rather than this time wasting and redundant comment.

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  12. Ex-Newsagent

    Nelson,
    Third, Fourth or Fifth language maybe – but if you cannot converse in the written word – do as Mark suggests and use the phone – I just hope your oral skills are slightly better – but you cannot hide the jealousy and envy in your entries here.
    Call now and save us from your vitriol please.

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  13. Nelson

    I must have missed the sycophants only can post here sign. I guess that’s why Graeme Day no longer posts here.
    No jealousy on my part ex-newsagent. I am just amused by the holier than thou attitude of Mark maybe I am jumping at shadows but from what i have observed and from what I am told i think not. I am however in awe of your ability to converse in the written word and how clever you are to come up with the name ex-newsagent.
    I’ll save my money and pass on the telephone call thanks Mark.

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  14. Mark

    Nelson your conspiracy theories have no foundation. The only comments I make here are those I put my name to.

    Graeme Day got in a huff when people disagreed with him.

    Plenty of people disagree with me – that’s what robust debate and conversation are about.

    I think you have shown an agenda and who knows what by declining to call.

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  15. John Kirkham

    Nelson. Graeme had issues with ‘Internet’ conversing. He was a ‘contrary personality’ just for the sake of it.

    You’re post’s Nelson. Can be considered to be inflammatory. Adjusting/tilting opinion to be ‘fact’. You’re opinion; is not evidence based.

    You mentioned Graeme… why would you do that ?!

    Are you taking Graeme’s place…?

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  16. Y&G

    Off topic, sorry.
    Did we miss the missive about Connect for QNP being closed today?
    Everybody else’s figures have been entered, but theirs.

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