Media
SICKENING: Alan Jones’s comments and the humbug of Jones-haters are equally unedifying
Alan Jones’s despicable attack on PM Gillard and her Dad reveals not just the darkness of his soul but the double standards of most of those who line up to throw muck at him.
The Daily Telegraph’s Jonathan Marshall works for the most demonised company in the media world, News Corp.
He didn’t use a false name but he certainly didn’t identify himself as a journalist. He used a private gmail account to make the arrangements. He admits previously telling organisers that he was keen to get involved in the Liberal party, some months ago, which led to him being invited to the event. Those familiar with the Club’s affairs tell VEXNEWS say – if the journalist had identified himself as such – they would probably have taken his money and then consulted with Alan Jones about whether he’d be given a seat.
But the journalists’ union mandates:
8. Use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast.
Not sure if that covers a speech by a public figure at a private gathering but it’s certainly a grey area.
Marshall says – and we agree – that the public interest in Jones’s despicable remarks well and truly justified publishing, even in the “grey area” circumstances.
In the last couple of years, we’ve seen an unprecedented attack on this kind of journalism. The world’s best practitioner of it, News of the World, was closed. We’re not talking about hacking voicemail but under-cover journalism which led to many of NOTW’s best stories, revealing all kinds of wrongdoing and malfeasance.
The Left loved to hate them. In Britain, and beyond, News Corp has been slammed for this kind of thing.
And yet because the target of the under-cover journalism is right-wing spear-chucker Alan Jones, there’s not a word of criticism about the journalist’s approach.
It’s open season on Alan Jones because he said something remarkably vicious, too under-graduate even for under-graduate taste. More were horrified by the remarks than has been reported by the media, sources familiar with SULC have told VEXNEWS. But loudly protesting in PM Gillard’s favour about something a powerful broadcaster said was going to be too much for most 19-year-olds.
One source makes the point that it’s worth keeping in mind for those who’ve questioned the attendance of federal MP Alex Hawke at the event is the strong on-air criticism of Alex Hawke by Alan Jones over internal NSW Liberal matters.
If Alan Jones was a Lefty and had said a similar thing about Tony Abbott, there can be no doubt that the ethics of journalists attending private functions under-cover, recording them in full and waiting to pounce on any indiscretion would have been fully and lavishly discussed by an appalled media who also would have connected it with News Ltd’s UK operations.
To be clear, we have no issue with under-cover journalism. We think Alan Jones’s remarks were depressing and vile. The PM’s Dad had every reason to be very, very proud of his daughter’s public service and her achievements therein.
The comments won’t be the end of Alan Jones but suggest that he is probably much closer to retirement than had generally been realised.
But what is clear is that there’s a double-standard applied to different types of journalism, depending on whether we like the outcome of it or not. And those who would hang Alan Jones from the highest tree are the worst offenders.
UPDATE: Listening to Melbourne ABC talkback on Alan Jones suggests those pretending public broadcasters have higher standards than their commercial rivals are clearly mistaken. Even Jon Faine got in on the act, apparently discouraging one caller from committing an act of violence against Jones because he “enjoys spanking.” Many of the callers made homophobic suggestions or implications.
THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER UPDATE: The Australian points out that – on Facebook at least – the Alan Jones oration was listed as a “public event.” ABC Media Watch take note.
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You guys are making the mistake of getting tankled in your own net of “accussed/accuser”. Alan Jones stood up before a political party event and sprayed out socially abusive language…in a fair society, it is mostly the protagonist of a crime who must face justice…so Jones committed the social crime, ergo he must face a society of jurists…let the penalty fit the crime!
The attacks on Alan Jones are totally at odds with the absolute lack of any media attacks on then Premier Anna Bligh, and her and her Party’s filthy comments on current Premier Campbell Newman and his family, during the Queensland State elections.
It would be nice to be able to read/hear some balanced comments from our mendia folk, occasionally.
The Tele broke the story on a saturday evening between 2 grand finals of a long weekend. Remarkable that the public noticed but they did and with force. It may be that the public has had enough.
maybe Jones’ comments could be considered offensive ,but aren’t they complimentary to the dead father & his own personal standards,whatever you believe his daughter’s standards to be………
I stopped listening to all talk back radio over 10 years ago.
Jones has no taste in clothes either. That bright blue jacket and that white checked shirt he wore during his “apology” was very 1970′s.
Now Jones and Romney have been caught out by secret recording.
Now we have Mr.Abetz comparing Jones comment with Bob Ellis article..Well Mr.Abetz, Mr.Ellis was comparing how the politicians can run home for a funeral when if it was a soldier or something like that..they probably would not be allowed..What Mr.Jones did was a disgrace basically stating the DEATH of her father was caused by shame of his daughter being a liar…Mr.Abetz, you and your LNP mates just DON”T GET IT!
Alan Jone’s father would have been the father who died of shame and disgust in having a son like Alan.
The man who was arrested loitering around an English Mele public lavatory with the intent of Dogging, which is the filthiest anonymous gay anal sex of all.
The man who coached a Rugby League Club just to get off watching naked males in the change rooms.
Now whose father died of shame LAN?
It is such a shame you did not die a slow lingering death from your prostate cancer – hopefully you soon will you dirty faggot.
@anon
So you hate faggots as well. Jones is supported by non-faggots like Andrew Bolt and the mealy-mouthed Michelle Grattan. He is supported by the Liberal Party with his special arrangement with Tony Abbott, clearly a non-fag.
Jones is a greedy, nasty, self-promoter. There is no need to get down there in the gutter with Jones.
Jone’s sexuality is irrelevant, apart from demonstrating a remarkable duplicity in his vicious and cowardly attack on others when he has skeletons in his own cupboard.
There’s no need to attack minority groups in summing up Jones. It does no matter whether he is gay, straight, bisexual or other sexual disposition.
Alan Jones is the scum of he earth. He is a coward. He is a liar. The weird thing is that people like Michelle Grattan this morning expressed the opinion that Jones is not a misogynist.
An interesting angle re undercover journalism but what if it wasn’t undercover at all? There are just too many coincidences suggesting a stage-managed stunt with Jones acting as the fall guy. The comments, shameful as they are, were deliberately voiced by Jones, a close mate of Tony Abbott, at a Liberal party function with Liberal party MPs in attendance. They were taped by a jounalist from NewsLtd, the propaganda arm of the Liberal party, and were conveniently released more than a week later to ensure maximum exposure. Even the “apology” was designed to enhance the effect. The motive behind the stunt is for Jones to take the heat off claims of Abbott’s thuggish past, including the infamous “hit the wall” incident which is clearly hurting him electorally. Better for Abbott (and Jones’ ratings) that the masses develop a hatred of Jones rather than Abbott. Win-win!
I noticed Jones has a OAM badge in his jacket. Who was the fool that nominated him for that?
Its as bad as Joan Kirner getting an AC for incompetence.
Young lad got nothin on me.
Sheikh, rattle and roll.
Julia gillard’s dad certainly didn’t die of pride.
Maybe it’s about time some dirt was dug up on a few journalist’s peccadillos – I heard Laurie is not averse to a spot of dogging.
Oh Alex Dore you silly little boy.
Welcome to first grade. Playing for keeps now, so don’t even mention the word preselection for another decade.
Yours sincerely the rest of the young liberals.
there is a difference between social commentary and bullying please stop listening to this mans show and hopefully we can raise our social standards – and sally you need help
Was “Sir Les Paterson” modeled in Alan Jones?
Was the Treasurers comment about “cranks and crazies” only aimed st the fundamentalist right of US Republican Party or the convict stock blabbing on a radio station in Sydney?
I would willing and proudly serve a life sentence for slitting the throat of that filthy faggot pillow biter Alan Jones. The guy does not deserve to live.
Please don’t be nasty about my Alan. Without him my rectum would be unfilled and lonely.
Alex Dore didn’t mind hanging out with Alan, pissy pine.
Alex Dore you thought you had some ‘power’ oh come on. Ive heard that Mr Dore was sick all night on Friday once the story broke.
Fontana, Scrotty Farlow, Tobias ‘clown town’ Lehman (freakish thing) you’re all next.
Stop pretending you know what you’re doing.
Alan Jones did your father die of shame too when he saw what you had become?
How come these day time shock jocks have such a large audience in Sydney? Don’t the bludgers have work to do or are they mostly Sydney dole bludgers and Liberal junior staffers and Young Liberals with not enough work to do.
Re the Sir Les Patterson comment, Alan Jones actually did the voice over introduction to the Les Patterson segment in Barry Humphries most recent stage outing. When can we expect Barry to come out and denounce Alan?
I can’t see how you can equate the NewsLtd journos actions in reporting Jones’ remarks with the UK phone hacking scandal. Where’s your sense of proportion? Another thing – it says it all that the politicians who attended at first denied that Jones made the comments and when told there was a recording said they didn’t hear or couldn’t recall. Jones did similar. And Jones calls Gillard a liar.
I think decent Australians have had enough of Alan Jone’s aggressive, hateful,hurtful comments.
for a light hearted view of the whole situation
http://bunyipitude.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/guess-whos-coming-to-dinner.html#links
Remember good things come to those that wait! Jones is 71 years of age, average male lifespan is 79 in Australia, less with those that have had cancer! Be patient my pretties and we can pop a bottle of bubbles to enjoy his death.
Dryasachip – I saw Barry Humphrey’s latest show in Melbourne and I can’t remember Jones involvement. I checked the magazine of the show and Jones name is not anywhere in it.
No Alan was up to his nuts in my behind again.
Adrian Jackson , i went to the show in Melbourne as well. the Jones voice over was at the very start. it was an introduction from memory
Kerry Kelly will only have to wait until 30/10/12 to find out if Australians really “have had enough of Alan Jone’s aggressive,hateful,hurtful comments”.That’s when Nielsen’s Sydney Radio Ratings Survey #7 will be released.Survey #6 had his audience share at 16.8%
From the reports I saw of his comments, the Prime Minister’s father was very proud of his daughter and was very hurt and angry at the baseless personal attacks on her.
The comments at the SULC dinner were peurile and insensitive and inexcusable coming from a highly experienced public figure.
It is a proper use of our right to free speech to call the Prime Minister a liar as she is a public figure who has chosen to involve herself in the most brutal of all public pursuits. Human decency should have prevented a hurtful comment that had no evidence to support it.
Unlike the chaff bag comment which can clearly be seen to be hyperbole and vulgar abuse with no semblance of being a serious threat, this comment was completely inappropriate as it involved the Prime Minister’s family.
People have every right to exercise their free speech rights and agitate against and excoriate Alan Jones and seek to influence his sponsors to abandon him. This is democracy in action.
However, I agree that there is a double standard here and many of the people leading the charge against Alan Jones would not rush to take action if the speaker were a leftist making a similar comment about a parent of a right wing political figure dying in shame for the actions of their child.
I have read far worse comments about Tony Abbott, John Howard, (even Malcolm Fraser in his days of being Prime Minister) and been nauseated by the vitriol of the attacks made on them and their supporters and family.
Casting stones in this way is likely to destroy all the glass houses of both the right and the left.
A little birdie told me that part of the Mercedes sponsorship included his car. They’re taking it back. Alan may have to use public transport.
Great to see former ALP National President Michael Williamson arrested. May many more alleged criminal unionists also face justice for their many alleged crimes.
Lana Jones is a very beautiful old man.
She is the mascot of the liberal party.
A leader of a certain style of man.
She wishes she could be with a muslem man and fantasies one day it might happen.
But she bites the pillow of her microphone whilst screeching come-ons over the airways.
When Alan still had a prostate he used to make love to my rear as vigorously as he uses the microphone.
Why doesn’t the old faggot just retire? I suspect this is a publicity stunt to bring notice to his program (Grand Final Day Press Meeting). I will never vote labor but with supporters like him, they should ban him too.
I’ve been punched in the ring more times than Muhammad Ali and I have loved every minute of it.
Have I ever mentioned that I have a visceral hatred of Tony Abbott?
They can take away my Mercedes it is a bloody German car anyway those Germans are nothing more than ungratefully Nazis, just as long as no takes my Big Black Ben Butt Plug and I’m Alan Jones.
Now pathetic Alan Jones is pretending he and 2GB are the victims as nasty people are attacking him, 2GB and their advertisers in social media.
When the new federal Liberal Government get those equally nasty drone aeroplanes for the RAAF perhaps their first mission should be against 2GB during the breakfast show.
There might be some “collateral” damage but they will only be other 2GB employees helping Jones with his vile, bile, pile of vomit he speaks into to his microphone daily.
GB = Geriatric Bogans
Alan Jones has certainly made a far greater observation to Australia than Adrian Jackson.
Errr… That was meant to be “contribution”
Anon your just the sort of chap who I’d love to make love to your rectum.
“Alan Jones”, I’m a chapette.
By the way, I assume you meant “you’re”
Perhaps the vile Alan Jone’s new car could be a surplus hearse from White Lady Funerals.
He could drive it until his last radio show on Radio King Island (in Bass Strait) and it could be used for his final journey from this life.
I am stunned to read Jones was arrested for loitering around a male public toilet. Not so much for the act or intent but because if he is not perfect himself why on earth would he think he can condemn and ridicule others. He really is a sad pathetic little man
dude had a point
“By the way, I assume you meant “you’re””
Holy moly, why don’t you just go and shoot yourself?
Man, there are some nasty comments flying about on here about Jones’ faggotry and punching arse and other bits and bobs, but I’m sure Jones can handle all that is thrown his way.
Now, back to Jones’ comments. The only thing that Jones said that was incorrect was that the rancid ranga skank’s father died of shame. That old commie arsehole would have been as proud as punch in what his stupid, fat, incompetent, vile daughter has wrought upon this country.
gillard is a commie, and her mother and father should be condemned forevermore for bringing that stupid, vile bitch to this country.
Here’s hoping that the police get off their fat arses and start asking questions about her starring role in the slush fund and the monies stolen from the union funds. And that witnessing of Blewitt’s signature when she wasn’t even in the same state (allegedly).
Many on here might hate Jones, some because he is a homosexual man, but seriously, coming to the defence of that rancid skank when all she can do is use her gender and come the tears whenever it suits her.
You lot seriously need help. But of course, I’m just a misogynistic nutjob, according to the skankatron.