Journalistic Honesty

[manshimajin]

I was struck by a comment in this editorial piece:

 

IOMToday

 

Richard Butt says:

 

But if I weren't honest and if I didn't give a true account of what I thought, what would be the point of doing it at all?

 

Similarly, if Martin Clunes isn't honest with his viewers, he would be cheating them.

 

To us in the media, I suppose all that's obvious and almost goes without saying.

IMO this is a very lofty and naive perception of media honesty. My own (practical) experience over many years is that the media is quite capable on occasions of distorting the truth for the sake of a good story line.

 

I supect that Martin Clunes is being more honest with his viewers than many a journalist is. Maybe Richard Butt is an exception?

[Gladys]

Not only are journos capable of distorting the truth, they are also incapable of accepting that they do not know everything and so their interpretation of 'the truth' may not be correct. Vide, the reports of the, now infamous, letter from Gordon Brown to the offshores which in their early phases referred to GB criticising the use of IOM companies as tax planning vehicles.

[bluemonday]

One reader wrote this to our website:

 

'It is crazy that someone can come here from England and make a film about the island then go and show it to millions of people - without anyone in the IOM government having any idea what is in it.

 

That's called democracy.

 

'TV has such a powerful influence - maybe the Manx government needs to more careful - and maybe also get a Manx TV station started-up?'

 

Fuck me , advocating state censored TV.

Bad enough as it is without that.

[Freggyragh]

I think TV censorship would be great - as long as I was in charge. I would ban the real voices of all UK politicians and and have them replaced with the voices of actors. Gordon Brown would get the voice of Homer Simpson, David Cameron would get Mr Burns, that Milliband guy would get Millhouse, Blears would get someone that can do a good Wicked Witch of the East impression. I'd make an exception for Mandleson - I can't think of any voice as suitable creepy as the one he already has.

[Tempus Fugit]

if he really thought the places he went were so horrible, why doesn't he say it in the film, not spead his bile over newspaper columns (they all have that little sideline, don't they !)

 

I am amazed he so admired the antics of 'Captain Calamity' with his independance up in Orkney, not paying taxes to anyone, yet doesn't like others who run their own affairs, two faced like a kipper

 

suppose we'll see if it's all hype to get more viewers on sunday

[Jack Meoff]

an extra 75,000 viewers it is then.

[Ringwraith]

I was struck by a comment in this editorial piece:

 

IOMToday

 

Richard Butt says:

 

But if I weren't honest and if I didn't give a true account of what I thought, what would be the point of doing it at all?

 

Similarly, if Martin Clunes isn't honest with his viewers, he would be cheating them.

 

To us in the media, I suppose all that's obvious and almost goes without saying.

IMO this is a very lofty and naive perception of media honesty. My own (practical) experience over many years is that the media is quite capable on occasions of distorting the truth for the sake of a good story line.

 

I supect that Martin Clunes is being more honest with his viewers than many a journalist is. Maybe Richard Butt is an exception?

 

 

I think our new editor is trying desperately to present himself as the whiter than white honest reporter.

 

That's all well and good but I had to laugh when I read this article by him -

 

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/editorsblog/Dish...39ll.5067898.jp

 

Especially this bit -

 

No stuffed envelopes have ever found their way into Publishing House.

 

Which in the context of the article i.e. 'if it's true to the point of I can stand up in court and swear on it, then we'll print it' is ludicrous, how on earth can he make the claim that "No stuffed envelopes have ever found their way into Publishing House"?

 

Is Richard the son of Dudley Butt MLC by the way?

[Domino]

In fact, he used the word 'smug' in one of them to describe some of the people he met.

 

Latest report is that he is only referring to comeovers when he mentions 'smug'

[thesultanofsheight]

In fact, he used the word 'smug' in one of them to describe some of the people he met.

 

Latest report is that he is only referring to comeovers when he mentions 'smug'

 

I have to say that I agree with Martin Clunes, I'm sick of bumping into smug comeovers going on about how much tax they are saving too.

[Albert Tatlock]

First thought this thread was a list of oxymorons - then saw 'Journalistic Honesty' - and realised it was about poxy-morons.

 

Grrrr...media. When you've had first hand dealings with their underhandedness, blatent lies and even constructing pictures for themselves, you'll have a different opinion of how they work, believe me. Can't say too much - other than me and that female vicar were just friends.

[triskelion]

Grrrr...media. When you've had first hand dealings with their underhandedness, blatent lies and even constructing pictures for themselves, you'll have a different opinion of how they work, believe me.

Isn't that really just part of the human condition though?

[Albert Tatlock]

Grrrr...media. When you've had first hand dealings with their underhandedness, blatent lies and even constructing pictures for themselves, you'll have a different opinion of how they work, believe me.

Isn't that really just part of the human condition though?

Yup - and a major factor in feeding many modern conspiracy theories too IMO.

[keyboarder]

I have to say that I agree with Martin Clunes, I'm sick of bumping into smug comeovers going on about how much tax they are saving too.

I too have noticed this repetitive declaration of financial benefits from people who have chosen to move to the island. However, I see it less as smugness, and more as self reassurance that virtually cutting themselves off from the vibrancy of living in a modern cosmopolitan area, or at least having reliable and straightforward access to such areas on a whim, and that life is maybe passing them by is worth it, if only in monetary terms. The public face of an inferiority complex, if you like....... ; ))

[manxman2]

I was struck by a comment in this editorial piece:

 

IOMToday

 

Richard Butt says:

 

But if I weren't honest and if I didn't give a true account of what I thought, what would be the point of doing it at all?

 

Similarly, if Martin Clunes isn't honest with his viewers, he would be cheating them.

 

To us in the media, I suppose all that's obvious and almost goes without saying.

IMO this is a very lofty and naive perception of media honesty. My own (practical) experience over many years is that the media is quite capable on occasions of distorting the truth for the sake of a good story line.

 

I supect that Martin Clunes is being more honest with his viewers than many a journalist is. Maybe Richard Butt is an exception?

 

 

I think our new editor is trying desperately to present himself as the whiter than white honest reporter.

 

That's all well and good but I had to laugh when I read this article by him -

 

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/editorsblog/Dish...39ll.5067898.jp

 

Especially this bit -

 

No stuffed envelopes have ever found their way into Publishing House.

 

Which in the context of the article i.e. 'if it's true to the point of I can stand up in court and swear on it, then we'll print it' is ludicrous, how on earth can he make the claim that "No stuffed envelopes have ever found their way into Publishing House"?

 

Is Richard the son of Dudley Butt MLC by the way?

 

you wont tempt dudley out unless you start talking about noses in troughs for post 13 .. thats one mlc to me this year nailed on his 12th post ever keyboarder how many you nailed..??

[Declan]

I don't quite understand that post, but Dudley Butt has made way more than 12 posts on the forums.

 

Anyway, I think the papers have improved since Richard took over, although that John Gregory remains the second worst music writer ever.