Legal Beagle by Graeme Edgeler

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Legal Beagle: The Spinoff: Offensive and Inaccurate? When proof of accuracy isn't enough to prove accuracy

14 Responses

  • Rob Stowell,

    It's ridiculous. Hope the council are feeling sheepish - and let's hope there's editorial comment on this across the press.
    The spinoff will spin it, surely!

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Michie,

    Did Davis' broadcast include 'the particular examples' proving his statements on Radio Sport? Dis he provide 'a range of other material' to support his statements? This example shows the innate abstruseness Press Council process.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    If it's the NewsHub column I'm think it is, MediaWorks seems to have removed the "boyfriend" bit.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Would it also be fair to say that while requiring The Spinoff to prove in its article a case it was able to prove outside it, the Press Council did not make the same demand of the complainant's complaint?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Did Davis’ broadcast include ‘the particular examples’ proving his statements on Radio Sport?

    Broadcasting standards are a different beast? But it raises a bunch of questions. Eg what if the “evidence” was in the link – which has now disappeared? Using links for evidence becomes out of bounds?
    Also: opinion has quite different standards, doesn’t it? And at the spinoff, mixing reporting and opinion – mostly in a delicious gumbo :) – is more or less the house style. This could leave them in an awkward space.

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Brown,

    But...so what? Does it matter what the 'Press Council' rules. To a digital magazine-thing in 2016? Will people be arrested? Will their servers be seized? Isn't this finding completely redundant?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2013 • 137 posts Report Reply

  • Gregor Ronald,

    I thought being homophobic was a character defect, which could be cured by education and cognitive therapy. But apparently it's now a crime, subject to legal sanctions. When did that happen?

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 103 posts Report Reply

  • Trevor Nicholls, in reply to Gregor Ronald,

    But apparently it's now a crime, subject to legal sanctions. When did that happen?

    It wasn't a criminal investigation. The character alleged to have made homophobic statements was not the accused but the complainant.

    Lack of comprehension is a defect which can be cured by education and training. It's not a crime either, but I recommend the treatment.

    Wellington, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 325 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Hooton,

    Doesn't this mean the turtles will have to go all the way down?

    Auckland • Since Aug 2007 • 195 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason, in reply to Matthew Hooton,

    Lawyers entertainment.
    Tort toys.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Moz, in reply to Matthew Hooton,

    Doesn't this mean the turtles will have to go all the way down?

    That was my thought. To quote Carl Sagan "if you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe". Presumably if you wish to publish an article you must first prove that the universe exists, and likewise with all subsequent claims of fact.

    I look forward to all future newspapers having on the front page "In the beginning there was nothing. Which exploded".

    Sydney, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 1233 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Martin Brown,

    Is the Spinoff an independent blog or is there a media outlet (or NZ on Air) funding behind it?

    I don't see why an online outlet should become a Press Council member, especially if they come out with rulings like this. ISTR some discussion when they first started accepting online membership => does this confer some sort of legal privilege? (tea and biscuits on budget day or whatever).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Is the Spinoff an independent blog or is there a media outlet (or NZ on Air) funding behind it?

    It's not and a blog, and I don't believe there's another media outlet (or NZ on Air) funding it.

    I don't see why an online outlet should become a Press Council member, especially if they come out with rulings like this.

    Membership of the Press Council provides certain rights in court proceedings, that are not available to media outlets that aren't members of it or the BSA.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    It's not a blog

    Ok, it's a website containing articles on matters of current interest. (BTW, don't call this a comment. It's an eclectic and erudite pontification. With links.)

    Ah gotcha: helpfully collated by the Law Commission.

    I'm not sure I agree with the idea that being a Real Journalist and agreeing to take wrist-slaps from the Press Council when delivered should entitle one to inside knowledge of Secret Things (like which AB has run off to join ISIS because the NZRB has got just too namby-pamby liberal. Ooops, maybe I shouldn't post that - the bloke who told me did mention some sort of embargo).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

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