WA News Link

[holden4th]

Writing to the journo concerned is a good idea IMO. I have followed suit.

Hello Phil

The standards of journalism have certainly deteriorated over the last decade or so. The most obvious example of this is the ‘sensationalist’ approach’ where the overuse of adjectives and sometimes adverbs distorts the basic facts of a story.

However, I assumed that journalists scrupulously researched their material to make sure that even though their view might be inflammatory and/or polarising at least it was based on fact. Sadly, Phil, this is not the case in your article on illegal firearms.

Now that said, the first part of your report, where you diligently reported the facts was an example of good journalism, stating things exactly as they happened. Unfortunately, you found it necessary to get some quotes from ‘experts’ and you quoted them verbatim without checking their veracity. What you were quoted was incorrect (I have research from a valid source to support it) and I would have expected you to examine what you were told to make sure it was accurate.

I imagine that others have contacted you to also express their dismay about the accuracy of what you wrote.

I’m happy to supply that research if you wish to thoroughly check it out and publish a retraction.

[duncan61]

Good point made Trekin

[Angel]

See, LAFO in action. I hope this journalist now sees that although the story itself is very important, and that these guns are no longer on the black market, a bit of fact checking re: stolen firearms is important as not to mislead.

[holden4th]

As I said, I would e-mail Phil Hickey. I was astonished when I got a reply. Here it is:

Hi Ric.

I am making follow up inquires as we speak with the man's lawyer and several others.

I know there is more to the story and I am aiming to get to the bottom of it all.

Watch this space.

Thanks for the email.

Phil.

So let's see what happens. I referenced him the SSAA link provided in an earlier post and suggested that he contact them about using it.

[bladeracer]

As I said, I would e-mail Phil Hickey. I was astonished when I got a reply. Here it is:

Hi Ric.

I am making follow up inquires as we speak with the man's lawyer and several others.

I know there is more to the story and I am aiming to get to the bottom of it all.

Watch this space.

Thanks for the email.

Phil.

So let's see what happens. I referenced him the SSAA link provided in an earlier post and suggested that he contact them about using it.

That's cool that he responded to somebody at least.

[trekin]

Update. And so far my prediction has been spookily close.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/just- ... 0wu80.html

[Gamerancher]

Maybe we should call you "Nostradamus".
Bugger me, a police/media beat up, who'd of thought?

[Daddybang]

Hey trekin would ya mind given me Saturdays lotto numbers!!

[Daddybang]

15 firearm charges have been made.This bloke should not see free time again.Not sure I get the attitude Trekin If you dont like W.A. stay away.I like Queensland a lot

A perfect example of someone being judged guilty ti proven innocent

[trekin]

Maybe we should call you "Nostradamus".
Bugger me, a police/media beat up, who'd of thought?

Call me whatever you like, just don't call me late for lunch.
"who'd of thought?" Going by some of the comments above, there are some people who need to watch out for knee height objects, and that you wouldn't want to be standing next to at the bus stop.

[Gamerancher]

We had an example of this a couple of years ago with a local dealer. Police decided to do an audit and found some non-compliance issues with his paperwork, nothing sinister, just "incorrect" record keeping. Then the sh!t hit the fan and they went all out on the bloke. Called in the media, told them how they had over 15000 ( actually I think it was much higher, just going off memory here), "illegal" firearms offences him. Well, that just sent the media into a frenzy, calling for all sorts of changes to the laws etc.
Turns out that most of the problem was actually with the Firearms registry and an ambiguous directive they had given to dealers in relation to record keeping.
The huge number of offences was due to the police counting each individual round/box of ammo on the premises as a separate offence.
After the dust settled, he cleared his name and returned to running his business. No retraction ever, by police or media, about him being wrongly accused.

[holden4th]

I'm going to claim some credit for this about face. This was Phil's reply to my e-mail to him (posted earlier).

Hi Ric.

I am making follow up inquires as we speak with the man's lawyer and several others.

I know there is more to the story and I am aiming to get to the bottom of it all.

Watch this space.

Thanks for the email.

Phil.

Maybe there are some decent journos out ther.