Informed consent

I was surprised the Australian Press Council upheld a complaint against the Sunday Age for obtaining information from a source without informed consent.

The girl was drunk when she spoke to the newspaper.

Which is what the story was about, I remember reading it. Read more

Fairfax turmoil unhealthy

It’s nearly a month since I’ve found time to write here. In the past week the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald has departed and Fairfax chief executive David Kirk has been knifed.

There is no polite way to describe Kirk’s treatment. He was addressing staff in Melbourne while his board colleagues held an audit committee meeting in Sydney. That became a full board meeting and Kirk’s resignation followed.

Fairfax shares have fallen below $1.30 in recent times, which The Australian likes to remind everyone is the cover price of the SMH. Read more