Posts by Paul Brislen
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Oh, that reads far more sanctimoniously than I intended. Sorry about that. I'm genuinely pleased to see these issues getting an airing. I'm also chuffed it's not on my blog. Heh.
Cheers
Paul
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In many ways, IO, you're proving my point. This is exactly how we're supposed to settle things - debating the issue, driving traffic, giving the readers something to think about. Giving the writers something to think about.
Legal action like this solves nothing - it doesn't achieve its goal of stopping the views being aired and discussed, it doesn't stop word of the banned topic from circulating. Truth doesn't want anything, least of all to be free, but censorship does get treated like damage and we do rout around it.
So I'm happy to see you talking up your view point. Stick to your guns - don't be silenced. That's really what this whole issue is about. I usually argue my point of view not to try to change anyone else's point of view but simply to stop them from changing mine.
Cheers
Paul
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My problem with this is not in the disagreement between writer and editor, or even the disagreement between magazine and blogger, it's the way it's been "resolved" for want of a better word.
Journalists should not threaten legal action against other journalists.
That's it, really. It leaves a foul taste in the mouth and is unnecessary, especially if one participant is an editor. All they need do is write an editorial outlining what happened and why from their perspective and encouraging the blogger to write a letter. Debate occurs, readers potentially are interested and sales potentially go up. Everyone gets to say what they think and everyone wins.
Writing is the basic tool of the journalist - resorting to legal threats is not. So why reach for the lawyers when a simple column would have done the trick?
Having been on the wrong side of too many frivolous legal challenges myself (one is too many) I know what a mess it can make of your life. As a reporter you're not paid terribly well (freelancers get 40c/word on average. Actually, scratch that - they get that on a good day) and to suddenly be faced with an angry legal letter that not only suggests your publisher might be out of pocket (at the least for legal expenses if not for a settlement and/or damages) and that you might a: have to pay shitloads yourself or b: best case never work in this town again, is something that keeps reporters up at night. Well, it did this one.
Journalists don't sue journalists. They buy a round and argue till they fall over. They write columns and letters and get grumpy but they don't sue each other.
It's a simple philosophy but it's all mine. Sorry for the ranting. At least Russell's post was longer...!
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PS - so an ad for BMWs, eh? What is the world coming to!
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couldn't agree more. It makes my skin crawl. Journalists should settle these things like journalists, using the editorial column, not with lawyers.
Just unacceptable.
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Little 'N' Large?
But of course, you can't go past Derek and Clive get Smashed...
This one's for you, David Slack:
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Oh, and it did! Stand down, Russell. Back to the studio with you.
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I like a good proposal story if only because on TV the guy always comes up with an elaborate proposal (helicopters! Rings hidden in cakes! Baby jaguars!) and it NEVER comes off the right way.
Good story from Neil Gaiman about a chap who asked for his help proposing to his girl at a signing:
http://diveabout.multiply.com/journal/item/13/The_Proposal_co_Neil_Gaiman
sorry about the link. Russell, help! can't make it link. Damn you technology!
My own proposal story includes a rainy day in Tauranga, a Mazda 323 and a house guest who overstayed his welcome. Meh.
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Ah, the fabled "poo day" baby... either ten times a day or once every ten days. I had the former... quite glad, on reflection.
And be glad it's only country (I like both kinds of music, country AND western). Some fool emailed me Wild Boys by Duran Duran and the light of my life first born child would dance to nothing else in her jolly jumper, hanging in my office doorway... I have tapes of phone interviews conducted to the strains (heh) of the worst lyrics I have ever heard:
The wild boys are calling
On their way back from the fire
In august moon's surrender to
A dust cloud on the riseI mean, WTF?
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You know, you could have Paul Henry... if you want. We can arrange such things.
Just, y'know... if you want.