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CRIKEY SHUNS NAMED SOURCE
Crikey.com.au recently published three anonymous claims accusing SMH columnist Miranda Devine of lying to obtain advantage during her coverage of Schapelle Corby’s trial in Bali—specifically, that Devine had claimed to be a family friend, thus convincing court staff to allow her courtroom access. Yesterday the AAP’s Mike Hedge, also in Bali for the trial, sent Crikey an email defending Devine and challenging the anonymous claims.
Crikey declined to run it. Here’s the rejection note from Crikey’s Misha Ketchell:
Hi Mike,
Thanks for that. Unfortunately, after a conversation with Miranda on Tuesday night I’ve decided to drop this story—both versions of events have had a good airing and it’s time to move on. We gave Miranda the last word, yesterday, as we’d agreed.
Misha
“Both versions of events have had a good airing”? Let’s see; on one side, we have three anonymous claims about Devine. On the other, we have Devine rejecting those claims. Offered a piece by someone who defends Devine and is prepared to be named, Crikey wimps out. For the record, and because brave independent Crikey won’t post it (Crikey even hides Devine’s own defence behind a subscriber firewall), here’s AAP correspondent Mike Hedge, unedited:
This seems to have got a bit out of hand….but, the mail you’ve received complaining about Miranda Devine at the Denpasar court on the day of the Corby verdict does not tally with my clear recollection of what happened.
I have to support her version.
I stood directly behind her as the crowd waited for the doors to open. The Indonesian police blocking the door said initially that five family and five journalists would be allowed in. They didn’t stick to that plan at all, letting anyone in.
At no time did I hear Miranda Devine say she was a friend or a member of the family.
What’s more, there was no need to. Anyone who was close enough got inside. After some women who appeared to be family friends entered the room, the journalists pushed forward. ID was requested, but at no time did the police ask me or anyone near me to see a journalist visa.
To suggest, as one of your earlier emails did, that the third row was some kind of prime position is nonsense. When I entered shortly after Miranda there were plenty of seats to be had. Some reporters sat in the front two rows only to be asked to move when the main family contingent arrived several minutes after the first rush.
She certainly chatted to a couple of the family seated in front of us. I have no idea if she introduced herself as a journalist. But she openly took notes as she spoke to them so they could hardly have failed to realise that she was.
That’s how I saw it,
Mike Hedge - AAP
Let me see if I’ve got this straight:
First, Misha at Crikey.com.au says Miranda Devine is a clever journalist. Then Miranda says “No, I’m not.” Finally, Mike Hedge sides with Miranda, “No, she isn’t.”
Posted by tim maguire on 2005 06 09 at 02:36 PM • permalinkCreakey!
Like the claims by several doubters (some of them here), to the effect that drugs are more likely to go by car than by plane between Australian cities. Today’s SMH has on the front page an article concerning a drug courier (Sydney-Melbourne) getting a tip-off from a baggage handler (doncha know?) that the feds were on to him.The Australian’s Media section also said that it had spoken to journalists who report that Devine DID say that she was a family friend.
So, not to put too fine a point on it, either the journalists reported in the Media section are liars, or Mike Hedge is. Either way, there’s something dirty going on here, and I’m not refering to anything Devine did or didn’t say.
The presence of Media Watch (the Darth Vaders of Australian journalism) only makes it look murkier.
Posted by blandwagon on 2005 06 09 at 10:17 PM • permalinkCan’t use it.
Material witnesses complicate virtual truth, doncha know…
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 06 10 at 12:24 AM • permalinkMaybe The Australian’s media section are the unnamed source. I have to say that while the Australian is a balanced newspaper with about equal numbers of Left and Right wing commentators, their Thursday media section always reads like the Festival of St Onan for the media types who just love to read about themselves. Literally wouldn’t piss on them under any circus pants.
Crikey is thus named only because http://www.apparently.com.au/ http://www.ethicsfreezone.com.au/ and wwww.cluelessclowns.com.au were already taken.
Or so several anonymous sources claim ...
Posted by Paul Pottinger on 2005 06 11 at 12:44 AM • permalinkAs Andrew Bolt replies in his forum today:
“...Then there are those which preach untruths, malevolent gossip and fantasies to the underachieving malcontents of the far Left and Right. Guess in which category I rank Mayne? ...As I’ve said before, he does attract people addicted to conspiracy theories and deceit. Ask yourself why so many of his old friends and colleagues now disown him.”
Posted by walterplinge on 2005 06 13 at 12:07 AM • permalink
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Fake but accurate is alive and well I see