Speaker: About That Telescope : Public Address

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Speaker: About That Telescope

Posted at 2:01PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Today's Drinnan covers one of the claims circulated in a release from former Herald on Sunday assistant editor Steve Cook, in advance of the hearing of his Employment Relations Authority complaint against APN yesterday.

Read More Original Blog Entry

The claim is summarised thus:

The document alleged that for a time in 2005 a Herald on Sunday reporter who lived opposite the Sunday Star-Times office in Auckland's New North Road had a clear view of the office of SST editor Cate Brett.

The reporter was allegedly given a telescope.

According to the document, Brett at the time wrote on a whiteboard details of the Sunday Star-Times' upcoming stories and photographs and the reporter with the telescope was told to ring through details to editor Shayne Currie.

Herald on Sunday chief reporter David Fisher, who owned the telescope, has asked us if we could publish his account of what actually happened. It follows below.

---

The telescope story has grown beyond the point where it can be ignored, and grown more fanciful with each retelling. If you haven't heard it, you can find it in the original version of Steve Cook's employment case against my employer, and his former employer, the Herald on Sunday.

It goes like this: that editor Shayne Currie forced Jonathan Marshall, a current Sunday News journalist, into hiding a camera in his apartment to spy on the Sunday Star-Times.

This allegation will not be made in the Employment Relations Authority hearing today. It was struck out as admissable evidence, and not related to Cook's dismissal. How do I know the contents of confidential documents submitted and rejected by the tribunal? Because Cook has bandied so many copies around town to get media interested in covering his case that one came close to me.

I refused to take a copy. I didn't want to be close to something so fraught, messy and none of my business. But one story I've heard from it in the last few days was this telescope story. I know it to be false, because it was my telescope, and along with Marshall, both our ideas. It was a joke driven by a sense of mischief, and one that Currie had no part in organising - or even knew about until after it was used.

The mischief was conceived around the habit of then Star-Times editor Cate Brett, who I admire greatly, leaving her office for the evening with the light left on and blinds open. I drove past on my way home sometimes - a friend and Star-Times staff member lives nearby and at the time, I was free to visit often.

By coincidence, at this time, Marshall moved in opposite the Star-Times office. I have known him for years and find him endearing and infuriating in equal measure, mainly in both regards the madcap schemes that spring up around him. I can't recall if he was working for the Herald on Sunday then, but I think not. I'm sure at that time he was commuting to Waikato for a year-long journalism course.

Marshall invited me around to see his new flat, one or the other of us joking about it being close enough to spy on the Star-Times to talking about the light left on. The joke continued, and I brought from home a telescope to put behind the blinds, and duly peered through it, trying to train it through the office window.

I say joke because the first time I stopped at that intersection, and looked across the road at the editor's office, my first thought was: "Bloody hell, they've pinned all their pictures up on the wall and you can see them from the road." Second thought was to get a photographer where I was with a 600mm lens for less than 10 seconds - in and out. With a high quality camera, and digital zoom, we would know, and could study, everything the opposition was doing photographically.

If it was a serious scheme, that would have been the way to do it. But it would have been pretty cheap. I have friends there who have the same belief and pride in their work as I do. One of my dearest friends was working as a photographer there at the time. I think Cate Brett, the editor, is one of the finest actual journalists to lead a newspaper in decades. Her staff, my friends, thought the same. I would not steal their work, even when it was made so easy.

Which was why I was drinking beer with Marshall, occasionally squinting through a telescope. It did occasionally bring a photograph into focus, but have you ever tried looking at a newspaper and guessing the content of a story by its picture? It can't be done, or at least, not in a way that would give real benefit to a competing journalist.

And the telescope? It was given to me one Christmas to look at stars. I don't really know how to use it. I still haven't seen a star through it, before the telescope spent six months at Marshall's, or since I got it back. In the time Marshall had it, it was used three times, none seriously. The length of time it stayed with Marshall is not an indication of use, rather than not getting around to pick it up.

Currie found out about it some time after it was in there, and in my recollection, wasn't particularly comfortable it was there. There's been a number of editors who, at times, have wanted to scream with frustration in dealing with something that seemed funny to me at the time. He's another, and a very good editor too.

The telescope event was quickly forgotten until it emerged in this testimony of Steve Cook's. It is his evidence and I know it to be false. Jonathan Marshall also knows this, and I hope his friendship with Cook will not keep him from confirming it.

And if I know that portion to be false, what regard would I hold his other claims? I know the answer to that. With the same regard in which I personally hold Cook's stories about Sharon Shipton, Debbie Gerbich, Kirsty Gillon and Maycsena King.

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Russell Brown
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 9068
Moderator

Posted at 2:01PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Ah, Public Address: always first with the skinny on inter-media spying allegations ...

Steve Curtis
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 109

Posted at 2:24PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

If only all the people who get their lives splashed across 'The News' get such a chance to put their side.
Seriously could it all be said in 2 paragraphs without any ass kissing

mcgovern
From: auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1

Posted at 2:44PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Great story
Reminds me on an occasion when mcgovern online - my company - had offices in High Street, auckland

We were on the top floor and could look down onto/across to the building opposite opposite.

The latter was a mix of office and studio spaces

One of them was a private art dealer who used to hang his current works for sale on a big wall.

At the time there was enormous controversy over whether Victoria University was going to sell Colin McCahon's Storm Warning

The work had apparently disappeared from the wall it had hung on in Vic - and everyone in the art world was wondering where it was.

I looked out the window and there it was - quite a moment.
I couldn't believe what I was looking at so phoned an art dealer contact who came round and nearly fell out of the window when he saw it.

All goes to show - never leave the lights on - and always ask - find out - who is renting across the road!

paul
www.peoplepoints.co.nz

Paul Litterick
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 921

Posted at 2:45PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

What a bunch of tossers, the lot of them: more concerned with besting their rivals, whom they admire greatly, than doing any journalism; and always willing to find the time to write a verbose screed of self-justification. This one could be summarised as "yes we did it, but it was not what you think, so no we didn't do it." You can see why the news stories are not worth reading when this is all a journalist can manage in his own defence.

Heather W.
From: North Shore
Since: Nov 2008
Posts: 152

Posted at 2:57PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

First thought on reading the story was that the David Slack tales are usually more plausible than this. (Sorry David Fisher) Then found out that the S Cook story gets worse.

When do we get the journalists back that report the story rather than try to be the story?

On another point - TV3 News last night had as a headline "Gunboat diplomacy". Do they have anyone older than 25 on the team as that term used to mean something more like "agree with me or else"? The story was about the rescue of a New Zealand family at sea by a ship from the French Navy. That particular story followed the latest "truth" about a certain rugby player and the formal apology from France.

Ian Dalziel
From: Christchurch
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 406

Posted at 3:17PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Ice Pie - with my L'il I...
Was it a terrestrial telescope?
or a Newtonian telescope?

if it was for looking at stars it's probably Newtonian
so that could turn the story on its head...
...and can you really trust bent light?

or it may all just be more messing wit' our heads by the creator - our maker the mad molecule GT...
- after all the word telescope was created
by an italian named Giovanni...!

OMG I can't see my hands - t'is all a dream...

yrs
L'l Nemo Morpheus
Sandy old Slumberland

Steve Curtis
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 109

Posted at 3:24PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

I feel a 'Burn Notice' moment coming on when I saw this..

A secret surveillance is necessary. However, the operator is not able to enter the target room in order to place a transmitter. The solution to the problem is our military grade Laser Audio Surveillance System . This system allows the operator to carry out an undetectable surveillance operation from outside the building with a range of up to about 500 meters.
www.securityprousa.com/laausulamola.html

Was the telescope just the cover story for the real surveillance

Ian Dalziel
From: Christchurch
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 406

Posted at 3:27PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

damn he was greek geek...
Okay, okay - Giovanni Demisiani - was originally Greek
but he hung out with Italians at the Accademia dei Lincei in Rome - so close enough for jazz...

yrs
Eagle Eyes
Pedant Patrol
minima cura si maxima vis

Islander
From: Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi Pounemu
Since: Feb 2007
Posts: 1855

Posted at 3:30PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Ah! One of my all-time favourite strips!

Russell Brown
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 9068
Moderator

Posted at 3:31PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

This one could be summarised as "yes we did it, but it was not what you think, so no we didn't do it."

The point is, this was depicted by Cook as an act of industrial espionage in which a journalist was given a telescope and instructions from the editor to spy on the opposition.

None of that was true.

I think Fisher is well within his rights to point that out.

Testcard
Since: Nov 2007
Posts: 23

Posted at 3:38PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

And if I know that portion to be false, what regard would I hold his other claims? I know the answer to that. With the same regard in which I personally hold Cook's stories about Sharon Shipton, Debbie Gerbich, Kirsty Gillon and Maycsena King.

It's a good thing that Fisher was so disgusted at working for a newspaper that published such stories that he quit immediately in protest.

Russell Brown
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 9068
Moderator

Posted at 3:40PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

It's a good thing that Fisher was so disgusted at working for a newspaper that published such stories that he quit immediately in protest.

I don't think he was working for the HoS when those stories were published, which would have made quitting a bit difficult.

Jonathan Marshall
From: Auckland
Since: Jul 2009
Posts: 1

Posted at 4:06PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

I was never asked to provide an affidavit about the telescope nor was I called to the witness box by HOS lawyers to be questioned about the veracity of the claim.
Until the court process is complete it would be unwise of me to talk about it - that has nothing to do with friendships.

But for the purpose of accuracy:

I don't think he was working for the HoS when those stories were published, which would have made quitting a bit difficult.

The stories David mentions in his guest blog were printed on:
Gillon – Feb 2007
Shipton – April 2007
Gerbich – April 2007
Macsyna – May 2008

David Fisher started working at the Herald on Sunday in December 2004, his last Herald on Sunday article (before going to The Listener) was printed on March 29 2008.
He has since returned to the HoS.

Tim Michie
From: Auckward
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 237

Posted at 4:13PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

http://www.epmu.org.nz/journalism-code-of-ethics/

Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1355

Posted at 4:19PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

What a bunch of tossers, the lot of them: more concerned with besting their rivals, whom they admire greatly, than doing any journalism; and always willing to find the time to write a verbose screed of self-justification. This one could be summarised as "yes we did it, but it was not what you think, so no we didn't do it." You can see why the news stories are not worth reading when this is all a journalist can manage in his own defence.

Perhaps it is just my frustrated need to declare how crappy the NZ press is, perhaps it's my long held view that a fool's friend might be a little foolish him/herself... either way, Mr Litterick's said a mouthful!

giovanni tiso
From: Wellington
Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 4394

Posted at 4:22PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Wow, reading all this... occupied time.

Okay, okay - Giovanni Demisiani - was originally Greek but he hung out with Italians at the Accademia dei Lincei in Rome

I find the name highly suspicious for a Greek, he must have either been Italian (Zakyntos historically has always had plenty of those) or perhaps they translated into Italian his assumd Latin name - Ioannes Demisianus - once he settled in Rome.

Steve Barnes
From: The City of Ales
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 1977

Posted at 4:51PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Demisianus

Isn't that half a bum?

Russell Brown
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 9068
Moderator

Posted at 4:53PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

The stories David mentions in his guest blog were printed on:
Gillon – Feb 2007
Shipton – April 2007
Gerbich – April 2007
Macsyna – May 2008
David Fisher started working at the Herald on Sunday in December 2004, his last Herald on Sunday article (before going to The Listener) was printed on March 29 2008.

Ah, so he did resign in disgust then ;-)

I must say, I'm slightly surprised at the rancour greeting this post.

What happened appears to have been a couple of beers and a laugh. Journalists are hardly the only people who ever do that. Cook's act in circulating a written claim that it was a calculated act of espionage directed by his former boss, and trying to present that claim as part of his employment action, is ... something else.

giovanni tiso
From: Wellington
Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 4394

Posted at 5:09PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Isn't that half a bum?

It's half a sianus at best.

giovanni tiso
From: Wellington
Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 4394

Posted at 5:17PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

I must say, I'm slightly surprised at the rancour greeting this post.

I wouldn't say it enraged me as such, I'm just a bit baffled that anybody would find it interesting on any level(*), other than for how it speaks to the infuriating insularity of New Zealand journalism. In your line of work, do you ever feel like grabbing one of these editors and chief reporters by the collar and begging them to concentrate on sucking a little less, instead of worrying about this bullshit?

Okay, so maybe a little rancour.

(*)Although, to be fair, I'm the one who's dissecting the parentage of the guy who came up with the word for telescope 400 hundred years ago, so...

Joe Wylie
From: Behind the barn down on my knees
Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 1415

Posted at 5:24PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Although, to be fair, I'm the one who's dissecting the parentage of the guy who came up with the word for telescope 400 hundred years ago, so...

Well, that's a fecking sight more interesting than the exercise in arrested development that gave rise to it. But then, if you happen to be inside the magic circle of media pixie-dust, it's probably all rather riveting.

Steve Barnes
From: The City of Ales
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 1977

Posted at 5:44PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

It's half a sianus at best.

So, half an agreeable Spanish bum then?.

Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1355

Posted at 5:59PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

I must say, I'm slightly surprised at the rancour greeting this post.

My rancour was qualified... but as Gio's said; the trivial joking around and gamesmanship is annoying mostly 'cause it is not newsworthy ('cept 'cause some other oaf has mentioned it as he tries to resurrect his gaudy career) and what is newsworthy is too often very poorly treated. I'm no less annoyed by some of the the silliness in Parliament that displaces meaningful political discourse...

David Slack
From: Devonport
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 595
Moderator

Posted at 6:05PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

the David Slack tales are usually more plausible than this.

Que?

Stephen Judd
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 2037

Posted at 8:31PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Que

I think you and Haywood are competing for branding mindshare in the David space.

Heather W.
From: North Shore
Since: Nov 2008
Posts: 152

Posted at 9:16PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

the David Slack tales are usually more plausible than this.
Que?
I think you and Haywood are competing for branding mindshare in the David space.

Name Fail. Sorry David. Thanks Stephen.
Must remember - name check, fact check and preview.

giovanni tiso
From: Wellington
Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 4394

Posted at 9:19PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

Although, to be fair: David, David, Damian, Graham and Graeme, come on... it seems designed to trip you up.

Sacha
From: Ak
Since: May 2008
Posts: 5335

Posted at 11:06PM on 3 Jul 09. Permalink.

And what's the bet they all look the same too?

George Darroch
From: Te Ao Nui
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1022

Posted at 12:25AM on 4 Jul 09. Permalink.

I wouldn't say it enraged me as such, I'm just a bit baffled that anybody would find it interesting on any level(*), other than for how it speaks to the infuriating insularity of New Zealand journalism. In your line of work, do you ever feel like grabbing one of these editors and chief reporters by the collar and begging them to concentrate on sucking a little less, instead of worrying about this bullshit?

Since I respect Russell's forum, I'm not going to say what I think. It isn't pretty.

Russell Brown
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 9068
Moderator

Posted at 8:42AM on 4 Jul 09. Permalink.

Some more fodder for your disapproval, you miserable buggers ;-)

A former assistant editor at the Herald on Sunday has denied rumours he was involved in a multimillion-dollar drug ring from Paremoremo Prison and selling P in the newspaper's toilets.
Employment Relations Authority member Rosemary Monaghan is hearing Stephen Cook's claim that he was unjustifiably dismissed by the Herald on Sunday towards the end of last year.
Herald on Sunday editor Shayne Currie told Ms Monaghan the events which led to Cook's dismissal began when police came to the newspaper's office on September 5 last year.

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Speaker: About That Telescope