I heard it on the radio, so it must be true.
Not so. A public figure made a statement on radio that I instinctively knew was wrong. I immediately sent a detailed message to the radio station pointing this out, but after he had left the studio. The station called me and asked if I would like to go to air to speak about what I had I messaged. I declined. I am not a great speaker and I would have needed time to think. I checked a couple of websites and I was right, the public figure wrong.
There was some doubt on the radio about the validity of what the public figure had said, but the broadcaster has more important things to focus on than small detail.
Let me tell you, I was cross as patch. The station dropped the matter and I stewed on it for a couple of days. The public figure is an ok guy, and has similar political views to myself, but that makes it worse. It is harder to hate and attack someone on your political side.
It became too much and I sent him an email. I know some of you will have guessed who I am talking about, too bad. Here are some excerpts from my email and his response, which I was quite surprised to receive. I consider his response was very decent and honest. There was a bit more that I am not displaying. So people, when public figures get it wrong, call them out. Just maybe not #47, who is immune to criticism. Misspoke in his response is as good as a mea culpa you will normally receive from a public figure.
Me:
I am very disappointed at your spruiking of misinformation about the closure of Bourke Street to trams on the 8th of August. You clearly stated the reason for the closure was for Yarra Trams works in Bourke Street, when it has become clear that the closure is for the opening of Mecca.
It is very odd that Myer window Christmas crowds of a hundred people or more can safely be in Bourke Street with trams running, yet the opening of a shop needs to have trams stopped. If there is disruption to Bourke Street trams, they are normally rerouted to Latrobe Street. This may well cost Yarra Trams but if it happens for an event, I expect Yarra Trams wants compensation, and it seems obvious that Mecca was not prepared to pay.
The whole matter stinks...
Response:
I’m really sorry for the disappointment caused by my earlier communication regarding the Bourke Street tram closure. My intention was never to mislead or obscure the facts. I was just back from leave and invited to discuss the Mecca opening.
At the time, I was not across the detail on tram disruption and misspoke.
and when commercial interests appear to influence decisions that affect many. Your point about past events (like the Myer Christmas windows) proceeding without tram closures is a fair one, and raises valid questions.
Thank you again for holding me to account. I value thoughtful, constructive criticism like yours, and I’ll aim to do better in future.
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That sounds like a reasoned, respectful response. He could have just ignored you.
ReplyDeleteJB, I usually get responses. I always remain polite and don't directly attack the person, such as calling them liar, which you could be sued for.
DeleteI echo jabblog's comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda.
DeleteYou were right to speak out. Too many of us keep quiet and let things slide.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I did, JayCee.
Delete"Misspoke?" More like he totally made it up. And apart from your objections, it seems totally unbelievable. What kind of track work is so urgent that it requires the closure of a route through the city in the morning peak yet is not so urgent that it doesn't need to be done until 3-4 weeks' time?
ReplyDeleteThat's a blow to his credibility as a politician and no wonder he's in damage control trying to mollify those (presumably not just you) who've gone to the trouble to complain to him about it.
MC, it may well be that Yarra Trams is taking advantage of closure to do something, but that is not what is on its website. He was foolish to not realise that he could be called out.
DeleteYes, I doubt it was just me who made contact, but I do admire his response to me.
I don't have a clue who you are talking about and honestly don't care, but good on you for speaking up about something wrong.
ReplyDeleteThanks River.
DeleteI would like the radio station to acknowledge any error on line. They can do it gracefully, without resorting to nastiness.
ReplyDeleteI've listened to the broadcast which is available online. I think the interviewer made his scepticism about the Yarra Trams trackwork being a reason for the service interruption reasonably clear. It is the interviewee who needs to acknowledge his error. However, my attitude to this is tempered by the fact that he has already been the target of a typical Murdoch-press campaign in the Herald-Sun. I can also see how he might have fallen into "mis-speaking" in his enthusiasm to talk up a business activity in "Marvellous Melbourne," which is what he thought he was there to do.
DeleteHels, ideally stations could correct the record, but it would be easy to miss. It would be better in print, electronic or not.
DeleteI wrote "on line" but even then, it would still be easy to miss. At least the station would have acknowledged the error.
DeleteMC, I didn't realise it was all over the Murdoch media, and Reddit. Did you listen to the interview on Breakfast or what Justin on Mornings said?
DeleteSorry Hels. I did miss that.
DeleteI guessed that it would be the ABC and pretty quickly found the interview. Then I spotted a few headlines in the Hun, not just this story
DeleteConsider yourself a citizen journalist.
ReplyDeleteI wished those who are journalists would arm themselves better with facts before interviewing someone.
DeleteWell done you and well done him as well - I have yet to see such a decent and honourable response in Canada to some of my critiques.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, some people are so tenacious and will never give up. But I do when it is clear I am getting nowhere and being stonewalled. I think to a reasonable complaint, public officials have a duty to respond, but they don't all do so.
DeleteGood for you Andrew!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby.
DeleteYou have inspired me! I had a bad experience with Telstra on the weekend, an list of errors (all theirs) that nearly affected my credit rating. I now plan to email them
ReplyDeleteJ, a clean credit rating is so important. Fight to the end over something that can affect you like that.
DeleteA nice response there Andrew/
ReplyDeleteGood on your for calling him out, more people should do it.
Margaret, I did think about it for a couple of days, and I am pleased I did so.
DeleteGood for you
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed you had a personal reply .
Fun60, I was surprised he responded, but I also think he should have responded.
DeleteGlad you got a good reply. Also your tenacity to follow through pn something you saw as wrong.
ReplyDeleteThelma, not world changing, but a tiny victory over 'carelessness'.
DeleteI think it's always good to voice an opinion on issues like this. Sometimes it can lead to change or at least revision of policies and procedures further down the line. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteSteve, in this case I am happy with a admittance of fault and an apology.
DeleteSo much better to speak up than stew to yourself. I'd say you were successful -- he may think twice next time and get his facts right.
ReplyDeleteBoud, I would hope so.
DeleteI commend you Andrew. I take public affairs personally too, which at this time in the US makes life rather challenging to keep my even keel. I'm glad you spoke up. Hawaii is a much smaller place and that suits me. We do communicate with our elected officials. Living in California for 4 years. Before the pandemic I felt like an ant in an ant Hill. I have participated a lot in our system here, though I am happy to hand it off to younger people... I would never miss the opportunity to vote or to speak my mind. Which is not really the purpose of my blog. I hope it's all evident and self-evident and useful for my visitors. Thanks for being one of them dear
ReplyDeleteThanks Cloudia. Yes, some blogs are not the place to talk about serious matters. I can imagine you feel more connected to your local governments, rather than in a mega state.
DeleteWe need you here in the US, to straighten out pretty much every politician. Lying is a way of life here, especially in politics.
ReplyDelete