5 September (Part 2) - In the news
One
place where news of John Kerlen’s trials and tribulations was both widely
available and accurately reported was the News Shopper. Maybe that was because
it was the only news organisation to send a reporter to each and every one of
John’s seven court appearances. First Jim Palmer and latterly newcomer to the
borough, Tim MacFarlan. Space limitations inevitably caused some detail to be
lost but what they got past their editor was always spot on. However what Bexley
council got by the editor ‘for balance’ was not. Two weeks ago I tried my luck
at rebutting some of
what the Bexley council spokesman had said in a letter to
the editor. I did not hold out a great deal of hope for publication,
unfortunately such things are too often boring to a public apathetic to the
criminal tendencies of Bexley council, but to my surprise it has made page 16 today.
I thought my letter was short and to the point, but the editor thought otherwise
and shortened it again, to the detriment of clarity in my view, but that is what
newspapers do and there can be no complaint. However I do of course have a
partial remedy; I can publish the original submission here.
On
Twitter a few weeks ago, the Shopper’s reporter Tim MacFarlane commented on a
favourable (22nd August) blog about the News Shopper and intimated I might not always
take the same view. I don’t think he need have any fears and now that
the Chronicle has gone it wouldn’t make sense to fall out with our one
remaining local newspaper! Best wishes to Chronicle editor Bob Griffiths in what
will presumably be his retirement.