Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
Is a comment made on a web site three years ago, current news?
|
Not alone. But it can used to back up other information, like residents' requests at public meetings in the last year for a gate to stop sexual activity happening on he land.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
Your article states categorically that; “SEX-MAD couples are visiting a quiet Huncoat spot for the sordid act of "dogging", it was revealed this week”
What proof is there that doggers are currently active in the area?
|
You can take this point to the nth degree. If 1,000 people say to us 'it rained on Saturday' and one person complains and says 'how do you know it rained, you didn't stand in it?' and you upheld the complaint, you'd never get anything written.
In this instance, the guy who lives next door to the patch of land and the councillor who is responsible for listening to residents queries about such matters both gave us quotes saying it happened. The website backed it up.
Whether it was put on three years ago or yesterday is irrelevent. It's on the web telling anyone who cares to look where to go.
Police may have had no reports...but say there have been five cars on my street with windows put through...if noone reports it does that mean there's no problem?
We're obliged to ask the police about legal matters.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
Did you editor purposely seek to spice up a dull one column inch piece about HBC failure to place gate in an area to prevent Fly tipping?
|
Contrary to popular believe, our reason d'etre isn't 'having a pop at Hyndburn Borough Council' and if you'd've read my first post in this thread carefully, you'd've noticed responsibility came under LCC in any case.
It was a good story.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
Did or did not the police ask you not to report on the matters of doggers, if so, what guidance did they give and for what reason.
|
No. We asked them for guidance. They gave it. The guidance was 'try to avoid direct quotations from the website'. The editor took on board the guidance.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
I have a large car park close to me, if I thought it was being used for the purpose of dogging I wouldn’t it across the front page of my local paper, mud stick’s. It stigmatises the area and may affect local property prices. .
|
You could use that argument for anything. If there's a murder on Bloggs Street, Accrington on Saturday night, should the Observer not report it incase it brings stigma or lowers house prices?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doug
At the end of the day Vitty I am expressing my opinions on the matter and how it was reported..
|
I know you are, my friend. And, as always your opinions are gratefully received and respected.
But on this matter, people in our trade are very well education on media law, ethics, and industry rules and have many years of experience between us.
Contrary to what some may think, we're not novices out for a laugh.