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Public service message: Beware flirty journalists

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

06 Jan 05:40am

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Filed under: Journalism, Media, Phone Hacking, Police

56 comments

You know that shirt really makes your eyes look amazing. I bet you know lots of really important stuff. Would you like to go back to your place and show me all your confidential files?

Look into my eyes ... and tell me the size of the Budget deficit.

A report has been handed down in the UK by Dame Elizabeth Filkin, “The ethical issues arising from the relationship between police and media”, prompted by allegations the News of the World phone hacking scandal was not properly investigated by Scotland Yard.

It’s a fascinating document, surprisingly free of the usual bureaucratic mangling of the English language, although it does contain case studies with a traffic light system of assessing risk - red for high, yellow for medium, green for low. But the most up-front part carries the title: “Ten tactics used by some in the media. Watch out.”

Strictly speaking, only six qualify as media “tactics”, the other four are further advice. But it’s worth a cut-out-and-keep all of its own:

1. Alcohol. Late-night carousing, long sessions, yet another bottle of wine at lunch – these are all long-standing media tactics to get you to spill the beans. Avoid.

2. Flirting. Often interlinked with alcohol. Designed to get you to drop your defences and say far more than you intended. Be careful.

3. “I’ll make it worth your while.” If you think they mean money, say no and beat a hasty retreat. Make sure the press office and Department of Professional Standards know.

4. “A source told me the name of the man you arrested. Can you confirm the spelling?” Say no. This could be a tactic to get you to confirm a name they have been given from elsewhere so they can print it. It may be a guess, or it could be a ruse.

5. “I’ll be sacked if I miss the deadline in ten minutes. You’ve got to tell me.” Don’t be rushed. “If you don’t help me, I’m going to write a really knocking story.” They’ll probably knock you anyway. Don’t give in to threats.

6. “Can you slip me a picture? The family said it’s OK?” Did they? Does it meet the rules for disclosing pictures? What does the press office say?

7. You are on a highly sensitive investigation and the Senior Investigating Officer warned you of the dire consequences if you talked to the media, then wouldn’t it
be very foolish of you to leak?

8. As a constable or sergeant, or scenes of crime officer, you may know more than your inspector or superintendent, but if you don’t get permission to deal with the media you put yourself at risk.

9. Don’t get sucked into the hurricane. Many of those who criticise police for ‘leaking to the media’ have never watched the media descend, like a tropical storm, on a town/village/crime scene, laying bare every possible fact. They WILL establish the name and life-story of the suspect. If you’ve agreed an approach to certain information with your press office, stick to it and record it. You can then defend yourself against leak allegations.

10. It may help to assume you are being recorded when you talk to journalists.

If you need to keep this list in your back pocket, you’re probably already in trouble.

Most commented

56 comments

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    • Erick says:

      04:46am | 06/01/12

      What about those cases where the relationship between a journalist and a newsmaker goes beyond flirting?

      It’s well known that some political figures are literally in bed with some journalists. How does this affect the impartiality of their reporting? Should journalists have to declare romantic relationships that may affect their coverage?

      Reply

    • Daniel says:

      07:52am | 06/01/12

      I think they should reveal yes.

    • Paul says:

      08:03am | 06/01/12

      Erick, if a person goes to bed with someone just to get information for personal gain, then they are a prostitute.

      If they go to bed with someone they love and then reveal pillow talk then they are a cad (or whatever the female version of a cad is).

      If they go to bed and enjoy a loving, healthy relationship and conduct themselves in an impartial way then more power to them.

      The bottom line is, what is the motivation for being in bed.

    • nihonin says:

      08:05am | 06/01/12

      If you’re having a flirt, you won’t spill the dirt.

    • C 1 says:

      08:29am | 06/01/12

      @paul,

      With 3 kids under seven, my motivation for being in bed is sleep!!!!!!!!

    • Erick says:

      08:39am | 06/01/12

      @Paul - No, I don’t think it’s as simple as assessing the motives for a relationship.

      What if they go to bed and enjoy a loving, healthy relationship - but then a political scandal occurs which, if publicised, would damage the career the politician partner? Would the journalist be impartial then, even if they’d been impartial before?

      What of the moral dilemma - to report, and hurt one’s partner, or not to report, and sacrifice one’s integrity?

      Even without such extreme, but plausible, circumstances, I think such an arrangement has its pitfalls. Journalists are human, after all. I don’t think it would be possible to report objectively on political matters if one is sexually involved with one of the parties concerned.

      Considering what sometimes goes on between MPs and members of the Press Gallery, this is an issue that should be of some concern to the public.

    • Lezza says:

      08:56am | 06/01/12

      This is a seriously serious allegation.
      So that we might judge whether you’re just frothing and bubbling, can you give us a few hints as to whom you refer to?
      The Media will soon latch on to anything of substance you say, provided, of course, that the bedding is harming the national interest.
      In a more general sense,  what’s the point anyway?
      John Gorton apparently had a relationship with a spectacularly young female journalist.
      May have made him a more interesting politician.
      Gawd, if there’s anything we need at the top of the Canberra pile - on both sides - it’s some colour.

    • paul says:

      09:23am | 06/01/12

      @ Erick, I don’t think it is of concern to the public at all. The public have absolutely no respect for politicians and journalists - and rightly so - so if it were to happen we would all just shrug our shoulders. If it really did concern us do you still think we would have the politicians we have or read the rubbish that we are presented everyday as “fact” when in fact it is just total biased partisan crap.

      I always remember the outrage over Clinton and all I remember thinking was why should I care. After all, it is a matter between him and his wife and yet people were prepared to bring a pretty good presidency down because of it. We all know Hawke was not faithful, so what. None of my business. If Rudd gets wasted at a strip club, big deal. And the other side is no better. There hardly seems to be a tory who hasn’t worn suspenders.

      No, I don’t care and we waste far too much time turning the trivial into the major issue. And yet that is all we get from the journos. We do not get serious analysis, fair and unbalanced reporting, we just get crap. Personally, I would support the whole lot of them were attending orgies every night if it meant we actually got proper journalism.

    • Ill Informed says:

      09:28am | 06/01/12

      The Author refers to the report that has been handed down in the UK by Dame Elizabeth Filkin. It is about the relationship between the media and the police (MPS).  You should read it sometime, but I realise you wouldn’t be the first to comment if you took the time.

      “It is not uncommon for police officers and staff to have friends and family associated with the media and some have worked for the media in the past.
      At present there is no guidance to help police officers and staff who have regular contact with the media in family and social situations to understand what is expected in terms of declaring and handling such contact in an ethical way.
      To protect officers and staff, the MPS has a declaration policy for business interests which should be mirrored for media contacts in a proportionate way.
      This policy should go some way to ensure that this issue is dealt with effectively.
      At present it is unclear whether the declaration policy is applied consistently or action taken when these relationships are not openly declared.
      It is also likely that, in some cases, talking to friends or family members, who then repeat the information to the media, is not noticed as a risk. The MPS needs to be alert to this possibility.”

    • Erick says:

      10:12am | 06/01/12

      @Lezza - The point is that the idea of journalistic impartiality is a myth. There are many, many influences that affect a journalist’s reporting - and this is just one of them that deserves a bit of recognition.

      Far more insidious, in my opinion, are the personal political and social beliefs of the reporter. These colour all reporting in a way that is fairly obvious if you look for it.

      @paul - I largely agree. I couldn’t care less who journalists sleep with - except when it may have an effect on their reporting.

      While it is true that very few people trust either journalists or politicians, it’s still the case that most get their information from the media. And unless one is constantly vigilant for bias - which most people aren’t - then impressions will be formed from the coverage.

      It’s in the public interest to know how the news is made, even if most of the public aren’t very interested in it.

    • James1 says:

      10:12am | 06/01/12

      The best example I can think of at the moment is Chris Uhlmann, who is married to ALP MP Gai Brodtmann.  From what I can see, it doesn’t seem to impact his interviewing more generally, and even Tony Abbott has said that Uhlmann is one of the best and most even-handed journalists around.

      That said, they are both quite open about their relationship, and further Brodtmann is a backbencher, and thus far has not been embroiled in any major controversies that needed to be dealt with on the 7.30 Report.  Having some small acquaintance with Uhlmann, I think he has the integrity to allow Leigh Sales to deal with any controversy which required adverse reporting of Brodtmann.

    • St. Michael says:

      11:14am | 06/01/12

      @ paul:

      “There hardly seems to be a tory who hasn’t worn suspenders”

      In view of the names of a couple of the Punch columnists, this assertions deserves further investigation. wink

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:25pm | 06/01/12

      Lezza,

      I don’t think Erick is being at all controverisal in asserting there is a far too cosy and sometime sexual relationship between the press Gallery and the MP’s.

      We are talking about people who spend a long time away from home and people who have a very blurry line between work and socialising.

      Apppart from that it’d be one of those worst kept secrets - get in touch with any journalist or former MP off the record if you doubt us.

    • Robert Smissen of Rural SA says:

      11:42pm | 07/01/12

      In SA the relationship between press, pollies & spin doctors is downright incestuous

    • acotrel says:

      06:41am | 06/01/12

      I suggest the really great thing is when the media joins in administering punishment to offenders. - Derryn Hinch ?

      Reply

    • paul says:

      08:12am | 06/01/12

      @acotrel, I would suggest that what you are saying is actually anarchy. We have very clear definitions of law in this country; parliament makes the law, police arrest suspected breakers of the law and courts administer the law. If you don’t like it, first of all change the government so they change the laws. Simple.

      Hinch is perfectly within his rights to rail against a laws inadequacy. He is perfectly entitled to comment on a particular case within the confines on the law. But he is not entitled to take the law into his own hands. Nor are you. Nor am I.

      The problem with the press, especially the tabloids, is they think they are all three. They are not even one, they should simply report instead of trying to make laws. The day we hand over that power to the press and media is the day we cease to be a civilisation and instead become a country run by mob rule.

    • Pointed says:

      08:46am | 06/01/12

      Anyone else spot the irony of acotrel telling someone else they don’t have the right to tell someone else what to say/do?

    • acotrel says:

      05:23pm | 06/01/12

      @pointed
      Do you believe that Hinch has the right to ‘name and shame’ offenders ?

    • Craig says:

      06:43am | 06/01/12

      Some journalists take the term “pump them for information” literally…

      How do you know when a journalist is looking for a story?
      They’re breathing

      How do you know when a journalist is looking for a story from you?
      They are talking to you

      How do you know a journalist is looking for a story to denigrate your employer?
      They are still talking to you

      How do you know a journalist is hoping your story will get them a Walkley award?
      They shout you a coffee

      How do you know a journalist won’t cover your story?
      You have to buy the coffee for them

      How do you know a journalist believes that all that stands between a corrupt government, secretive public service, corporate conspiracy and the death of society is them and their media outlet?
      They are still breathing

      How do you know they are really a journalist - someone whose words and image may reach and influence thousands or millions?
      They have an Internet connection

      Reply

    • paul says:

      08:14am | 06/01/12

      Priceless grin

    • Lezza says:

      08:58am | 06/01/12

      Trite

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:28pm | 06/01/12

      The fist few were good, the last line was very good.

    • Mahhrat says:

      07:17am | 06/01/12

      “It may help to assume you are being recorded”.

      Everyone, everywhere, should live their life like that. 

      If you can’t answer positively to “Would I be okay with what i’m doing right now being on YouTube?” then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

      Or at least check the cupboards and vent ducts.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      07:51am | 06/01/12

      @Mahrat
      As I’ve said before - the system runs on bullshit.  Once you understand and reconcile that you will be much happier.  But you don’t have to be part of it !  The best way to buck the system is to play the game straight and above all, still achieve !

    • Daniel says:

      07:54am | 06/01/12

      Yes we now live in the accountability era. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean the same thing for some grubby journos and politicians.

    • SimpleSimon says:

      08:13am | 06/01/12

      Sounds like a pretty boring way to live, tbh.

    • mick says:

      09:18am | 06/01/12

      Daniel -  Only the journalists can make the bastards accountable.  That is the problem.  Journalists frequently will not run a story because they fear repercussions.

    • Tory Shepherd

      Tory Shepherd says:

      11:57am | 06/01/12

      @mick - Journalists generally do not decide whether or not a story is run.

      But yes, news outlets will sometimes not run a story for fear of repercussions, for example if something is defamatory. Big moral and legal repercussions there!

    • acotrel says:

      05:29pm | 06/01/12

      @mick
      ‘Daniel -  Only the journalists can make the bastards accountable.  That is the problem. ‘

      I suggest you should read the book titled ‘The Man on Devil’s Island’, if you really want to get a handle on the role of the journalist in politics.

    • Carl Palmer says:

      08:07am | 06/01/12

      If they haven’t worked out that “loose lips sink ships”, then they’re dopier that I thought.

      Reply

    • John says:

      08:35am | 06/01/12

      Journalists are there to expose corruption? Laughable.
      Who owns the media? They all have a political and social social agenda. They only expose what benefits them and don’t expose what hurts the agenda.

      Perfect example is news reporters reading the teleprompters, having their stories approved by chief editor, who is hired by the CEO of media company, in which the CEO of media company has connections to the international bankers, who corrupts the political process and financial process of west.  Media, Banking and Politics is the same entity. This is the same power structure that oppressors society.

      Do you guys really think a real democracy, transparent society, a society of truth is here? I don’t think so. It’s all controlled, manipulated and guided.

      Banking is the fuel, media is propaganda ministry and the politicians are the voice. If you remove the banker power like the FED, World Bank, IMF you might solve the media and political problems of the west, as cut the fuel supply that corrupts and controls.

      Reply

    • Mark says:

      09:10am | 06/01/12

      But John- how would the plebs get their flat screens? Oh, that’s right, we live in a bubble.. Now I get it… Let the ponzi scheme that is the world’s banking system continue, no one understands it enough to stop it.

    • John says:

      09:39am | 06/01/12

      Mark

      a nation that produces 1 dollar of wealth and spends 5 dollars of wealth! The price of this stupidly will be a financial collapse. Once the prop’s fall the entire structure is coming down. I’m still amazed they still encourage spending! If politicians had half a brain they would create policy’s on reducing debt. I guess it goes to show how corrupt the politicians, bankers and the media are. Just look at the free market! free trade lovely idea! Get the goods created in china for 1 dollar, sell them here for 10 dollars and then tell the Australian public to put it on the credit card! Creating more stinking debt.

      It’s an instant credit economy, the side effect at the end of this is a house that has been 99% eaten by termites, them boom! the thing collapses.

    • Mark says:

      12:39pm | 06/01/12

      Exactly right, John and the only solution is a return to the Gold Standard. China’s refusal to float it’s currency is also contributing to the problems.
      Current day Politicians are stuck between a rock and a hard place though. They are bound by the system of Democracy to campaign for re-election every 4 years. Campaigns cost money which cannot be taken from public coffers so therefore has to be raised by donations. This glaring loop hole allows corporations to donate and thus, take unethical and immoral positions in politics for the sake of their own agenda. Yes, we can vote them out of office but will it make a difference to the governance of the country?? No. The system needs to collapse before it will change at all. Leaders are too scared to change anything until the decision is forced upon them. We should not live in fear of our fellow man.

    • John Smythe says:

      01:45pm | 06/01/12

      China would love that Mark. They have been bulk buyers of gold for some years now.

    • acotrel says:

      05:19pm | 06/01/12

      @Mark
      So now the free market is no good ?  I wish you guys would make up your minds, so we can choose which way to go before it ‘s too late.

    • RED says:

      09:06am | 06/01/12

      You guys are right, I think we should ban journalists altogether. Seems to be working for North Korea.

      Reply

    • Carl Palmer says:

      09:41am | 06/01/12

      A couple of observations – in the very few instances where I’ve had knowledge of a particular incident that was subsequently reported by journalists, it always amazes me how my perception of the incident (and the persons involved) was light years apart to that as reported by the journalist. Probably explains why journalists were rated 40 out of 45 in the Most Trusted professions just above
      41. Taxi drivers
      42. Real estate agents
      43. Car salesmen
      44. Politicians
      45. Tele-marketers
      I guess if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas

      Reply

    • mick says:

      10:09am | 06/01/12

      I thought real estate agents were number 1 on the scumbag list.  My experience over many years indicates that this should be their rightful spot.

    • Leigh says:

      10:13am | 06/01/12

      This really matters to the average person who is always being sought after by the media! The best thing for most of us to do, is to completely ignore the media and most of its practitioners.

      Reply

    • Warwick says:

      10:24am | 06/01/12

      “The law” doesn’t really enjoy the respect that it is supposed to enjoy, not even from people in the law business. Who in our community is given the most prestige from their connection with the law? Coppers, who enforce it? Politicians, who make it? Politicians are loathed almost as much as coppers.

      What about lawyers? Well, lawyers are envied on account of their huge incomes, but no-one trusts or respects them. And that leaves the judges. The judges truly are respected.

      But do the judges respect the law? Only if it suits them. Consider the case of Michael Kirby; he was one of the highest judges in the land, but the laws he didn’t like he blithely broke. And now he is praised for his cavalier attitude to the law he was supposed to be upholding.

      Let’s say a present-day judge, disgusted by the contempt given to morality, decided that strict Islam is the answer. And he aided and abetted the setting up of Al Qu’ida cells?

      What about a judge who can’t stand girls over the age of thirteen as sexual partners, but manages to get quite a bit of barely pubescent crumpet?

      The principle is clear: as a judge, you never intend to support the law in its entirety; you support those parts you like and those parts you dislike you break, secretively of course. When public opinion shifts you will be a hero.

      If judges can be given hero-status for breaking the law, hell, journos should be given as much leeway as they are willing to take.

      Reply

    • Perry Mason says:

      11:18am | 06/01/12

      The notion that all lawyers earn huge incomes is a myth as is the the idea that no-one trusts or respects them.  I am sure Eddie Mabo had plenty of respect for his legal advisers.

    • Perry Mason says:

      11:23am | 06/01/12

      Also people like to denigrate lawyers until the time comes when they need one. Then they expect them to be some kind of magician who can wave a magic wand and make all their problems disappear.

    • Fiddler says:

      11:44am | 06/01/12

      @Perry, for $300 an hour (chargeable in 6 minutes blocks) I have pretty high expectations.
      The only reason they might not earn much is either - they work for someone else, or they don’t get much work

    • St. Michael says:

      11:52am | 06/01/12

      “I am sure Eddie Mabo had plenty of respect for his legal advisers.”

      Um, I’m pretty sure he was dead before the Mabo decision actually came down from the High Court.

      But otherwise: as an antidote to the anti-lawyer flatheadery that passes for critical thought on the justice system in Australia, I read some Geoffrey Robertson.  Always leaves me hope for the future

    • perry mason says:

      01:17pm | 06/01/12

      @ Fiddler - “The only reason they might not earn much is either - they work for someone else, or they don’t get much work’

      That’s two reasons and two reasons why my statement is correct - not all lawyers make a fortune.

      @ Michael -  good point but I am sure he was grateful for the help received while he was alive and Eddie wouldn’t be the only litigant and/or defendant to be glad of legal counsel

      As for Robertson a good lawyer no doubt but he is a fine example of the joke:

      Q. What do lawyers use as a contraceptive?

      A. Their personalities

    • Fiddler says:

      10:26am | 06/01/12

      Why do you think these policies exist? To prevent embarrassing information becoming public, second to that to prevent sensitive stuff becoming public. I deal with the media regularly and from my experience they are decent people

      Reply

    • Zeta says:

      10:34am | 06/01/12

      This article makes we want to share a hilarious anecdote about a former Central Coast journalist, a Police love triangle, human feces and a drive by shooting but I won’t because, you can probably google that information and find the story yourselves.

      Also, welcome back Tory.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      09:10pm | 07/01/12

      Yeah, where have you and Carrie been hiding, heh ?

    • David says:

      10:51am | 06/01/12

      Why use a photo of Tony Jones to illustrate this story? Tony doesn’t deserve to be associated with this type of thing. How about one of the talk-back radio hosts or one of the ambush reporters from Tablod Tonight/A Commercial Affair?

      Reply

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:17pm | 06/01/12

      Cough *never miss an opportunity to attack the public funded media if you’re private* cough

    • Robert Smissen of country SA says:

      11:27pm | 08/01/12

      David surely you jest! ! ! ! Tony Jones is one of the worst Journos in Oz, so left wing he sucks up to the Labor party big time, he goes beyond ass kissing when the looney left are on his show & always gives them right of reply when they are debunked on Q & A but never does it for the Libs

    • Liz says:

      11:48am | 06/01/12

      Or how about the one who fell all over Paul Keating and has now gone on maternity leave?

      Reply

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:15pm | 06/01/12

      I’ve done both private and public service work. I reckon the best tactic for either when approached by a journalist is this

      Journalist introduces themself/selves: “We are doing a story on this and we want to know x”

      You: “Sure, here is the name and number of our press liaison officer”

      This works quite well because even if the journalist wants specialist knowledge the press officer doesn’t have, the press officer can always get in touch with you/your section and get it from you. The journo still gets the info, but you get a double check on whether its appropriate to release (usually this is obvious buts it always good to have a second opinion).

      The whole booze and flirting thing seems a bit weird to me, as I always find it a bit weird that people over the age of 21 would be getting hammered with a stranger rather than their friends or significant other – but I guess there are always lonely folks around. But seriously, for most people wouldn’t the response to a request from a journalist for some drinks be “I’m sorry I’ve got plans already”….because you actually do have plans already, even if its driving your kid home from soccer ect. Most of us find it hard to have enough free time to see our real friends/extended family as much as we would like – why would you bump one of them for drinks with a stranger?

      Reply

    • scumbag says:

      03:22pm | 06/01/12

      All of the above apply to marriage. Nothing to see here folks, move on, we don’t want sightseers blocking reality.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      10:32am | 07/01/12

      That new bloke chairing the 7.30 report looks as if he’s just been told his mother’s on fire.

      (Or us he the gag writer on The Outer Limits ?)

      Reply
 
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