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reynardoBecause, in the middle of a stressful hostage situation in one of our major cities, a newspaper published this:
TL:DR My specific points for complaining.
So my complaint to the Press Council (at this address), is on the basis of these rules that the newspaper is supposed to follow:
Accuracy and clarity
1. Ensure that factual material in news reports and elsewhere is accurate and not misleading, and is distinguishable from other material such as opinion.
This is not accurate. It is misleading. At this point, no-one knows who's behind the siege so how can they say it's a cult-led incident, let alone a "Death Cult".
References to religion: Even the use of headlines of the style "Muslim terror" and "Islamic bomb attack" would be best avoided as they can be seen to link religious belief and its adherents to deliberate acts of terror. The Muslim community has told the Press Council that it has already experienced the cumulative effect of the frequent use of the religious terms, which has led to increased divisions in Australian society and ostracising of citizens simply because they belong to a recognisable minority. While this headline doesn't directly scream "Islam", it does include the Arabic script being held up by the hostages, thus implying that the people running this are Muslims.
Bias: a newspaper has a right to take sides on any issue, but it does not have the right to resort to distortion or dishonesty to advocate a cause. N Again, the use of "Death Cult" and the implications of a Muslim-based situation are not fair, or non-biased.
I hope the paper gets in BIG trouble about this.
TL:DR My specific points for complaining.
So my complaint to the Press Council (at this address), is on the basis of these rules that the newspaper is supposed to follow:
Accuracy and clarity
1. Ensure that factual material in news reports and elsewhere is accurate and not misleading, and is distinguishable from other material such as opinion.
This is not accurate. It is misleading. At this point, no-one knows who's behind the siege so how can they say it's a cult-led incident, let alone a "Death Cult".
References to religion: Even the use of headlines of the style "Muslim terror" and "Islamic bomb attack" would be best avoided as they can be seen to link religious belief and its adherents to deliberate acts of terror. The Muslim community has told the Press Council that it has already experienced the cumulative effect of the frequent use of the religious terms, which has led to increased divisions in Australian society and ostracising of citizens simply because they belong to a recognisable minority. While this headline doesn't directly scream "Islam", it does include the Arabic script being held up by the hostages, thus implying that the people running this are Muslims.
Bias: a newspaper has a right to take sides on any issue, but it does not have the right to resort to distortion or dishonesty to advocate a cause. N Again, the use of "Death Cult" and the implications of a Muslim-based situation are not fair, or non-biased.
I hope the paper gets in BIG trouble about this.
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no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 07:17 am (UTC)Good on you.
I've not been anywhere with news today and haven't been on FB so I just heard about all this about an hour ago. I looked up your location to make sure you were okay. I have a couple of you all in Australia so I looked everyone up.
no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 09:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 09:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 08:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 09:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 09:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 11:36 am (UTC)As you'd know, my Significant Other usually works 150m from the Lindt Café... though fortunately, not today... Quite a few of her colleagues were confined to their office for most of the day, however
I will go on record now, predicting this will have little or nothing to do with international terrorism & everything to do with urban ratbaggery. Well done to the Murdoch media for keeping this all in perspective & not over-reacting, causing panic, or inciting vilification & retaliation
I do look forward to how they backpedal on this when it turns out to be nothing to do with DEATH CULTS - Islamic or otherwise...
no subject
Date: 2014-12-15 01:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-16 08:43 am (UTC)On the upside, kudos to the #i'll ride with you movement - we need to see more of this sort of thing. Work for cohesion, not division.
I'd also like to see people donating to the Red Cross or Crescent, UNICEF, Oxfam etc instead of buying flowers to place at the site. I think that would be a better tribute, personally.
This man was already out on bail for charges of being an accessory in his former wife's murder (she was stabbed and set alight) and had been charged with sending abusive letters to war widows. He was a horrible nutter and NOT indicative of the Muslim population in Australia and it's looking as though he had no ties to any group. Regardless of this, news reports are still going on about "Muslim Terror" - it's so important that episodes like this be put in perspective and the whole Muslim community not be blamed for the actions of nutters and the small percentage of extremists. The more media demonises the Muslim community, the more people within that community will feel marginalised and this is never a good thing.
no subject
Date: 2014-12-16 09:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-16 09:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-17 12:58 pm (UTC)