My Response To The Daily Telegraph

Journalism can be a dangerous business; no one is denying that.

In fact, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), it can be deadly.

As their website says, the CPJ is “an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide.” And they have some truly frightening statistics:

• 974 journalists killed worldwide since 1992
• 232 journalists jailed worldwide, as of the end of 2012
• 463 journalists forced into exile since 2007

The list goes on.

Countries such as Syria, Somalia, Iraq and Pakistan are among those where reporting the news can lead to jail, exile or death.

Australia, on the other hand, doesn’t rate a mention… which makes the hysterical bleating of Kim Williams, Paul Whittaker and co from the News Ltd stable a bit hard to swallow.

I won’t re-hash the hysterical nonsense about media regulation that The Daily Telegraph has vomited into the tabloid press over the past couple of days. There’s no need; it’s enough to point out that at the end of the working day, Williams, Whittaker and the rest of them can go safely home to unwind. Relax. Be with loved ones. Get a good night’s sleep. And front up again the next day to do it all again… without fearing for their lives.

Want to attack the proposed regulatory reforms? Go right ahead. Be factual, be clear, be persuasive. Convince us that you’re right.

But to play the “woe is us” card and liken your situation to those in oppressive regimes around the world? Where to report the news is to risk your life?

You gutless, spineless, self-important wankers. You are an embarrassment to your profession.