#49 Never let the facts get in the way of a good story?

In a break from tradition, I will start this article with a geographical update as I feel that distance from the Australian media is giving me renewed vigour to speak out against hyperbolic nonsense. I’m writing this piece from the Eurostar in Paris as we await departure back to London. I was raised in the UK with fierce and cutting British tabloids venting isms and bile from coast to coast and it appears that this lack of newsworthiness has followed me across the globe to my new home in Sydney. In front of me is this story <Click here>. For my post to make sense you need to take a moment to follow the link and read it - i promise that it’ll only take a moment as the author has relieved his readership of any long words. <Click here> ...OK, have you read it? Are you as confused and angry as me? When did the sale of food become chugging? This ‘journo’ has decided that he can only get a headline (and byline) if he uses the c-word as clickbait to hook passing surfers. Deplorable. Where will this hack draw the line on accuracy and newsworthiness? And, how broad is his definition of the term? Will he be writing next about the chuggers at the shopping centres selling pay tv? How about the chuggers that overcharge Australians for electricity? Or, what about those filthy chuggers who go on tv an sell payday loans to the poor and vulnerable? Just because there can be a shared skill set amongst those who inspire donors and those who influence customers doesn’t mean they are performing the same role. I have a journalism degree and write a weekly blog, this does not make me a journalist. I am proud to be a fundraiser. PS: sorry about the gratuitous use of the c-word in this article. PPS: sorry about the Paris brag, I couldn’t resist it.