{"id":939,"date":"2013-02-04T06:54:37","date_gmt":"2013-02-03T19:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\/?p=939"},"modified":"2019-04-13T23:24:23","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T13:24:23","slug":"my-open-faine-letter-to-mark-scott-margo-kingston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/my-open-faine-letter-to-mark-scott-margo-kingston\/","title":{"rendered":"Open letter to Mark Scott about Jon Faine from Margo Kingston"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/free.timeanddate.com\/countdown\/i3oee6ph\/n152\/cf12\/cm0\/cu4\/ct0\/cs0\/ca0\/cr0\/ss0\/cac000\/cpc000\/pcfff\/tcfff\/fs100\/szw320\/szh135\/tatDeafening%20Sillence%20Time%20by%20Mark%20Scott\/tac000\/tptDeafening%20Silence%20from%20Mark%20Scott\/tpc000\/matNot%20even%20the%20courtesy%20of%20a%20reply\/mac000\/mptNot%20even%20the%20courtesy%20of%20a%20reply\/mpc000\/iso2013-02-04T18:00:00\" width=\"302\" height=\"66\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/098449-mark-scott.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-942\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/098449-mark-scott.jpg?resize=320%2C241\" alt=\"098449-mark-scott\" width=\"320\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/098449-mark-scott.jpg?w=316&amp;ssl=1 316w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/098449-mark-scott.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>February 4, 2013<\/p>\n<p>Mr Mark Scott,<br \/>\nManaging Director<br \/>\n<em id=\"__mceDel\">ABC<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dear Mark,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><br \/>\nRe: ABC apology to anonymous complainant and reprimand to Jon Faine over his\u00a0interview with former shock-jock Michael Smith\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I write to seek information on this matter and express my concerns at its process.<\/p>\n<p>I first learned of it through a strongly worded protest by ABC political editor Chris\u00a0Uhlmann published on Twitter at @CUhlmann:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">The ABC\u2019s finding that Jon Faine is guilty of a \u201clapse in standards\u201d in 2 interviews\u00a0on the AWU slush fund is absurd. http:\/\/t.co\/6pOOlvtd<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Jon challenged two journalists to defend claims that the Prime Minister acted improperly in her former career as a lawyer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Jon believes that, based on the publicly available evidence, the Prime Minister did no wrong. To date, the facts support that view.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">The interviews, which so shamed the ABC\u2019s correctness commissars, were robust exchanges between a broadcaster and two journalists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Jon pressed them to lay out the key allegations and provide evidence to support\u00a0their claims of wrongdoing. In short, he did his job. Well.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Jon is one of the jewels of local radio\u2019s crown and I am proud that I was once his\u00a0producer. I await a robust defence of him from management.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">While on the topic. I also think it\u2019s high time we fell in behind our peerless political\u00a0commentator Barrie Cassidy.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally I was interested to find out more.<\/p>\n<p>Chris\u2019s link was to an OZ paywall story. I found a <a title=\"Fairfax\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/entertainment\/tv-and-radio\/presenter-censured-on-coverage-20130130-2dl3k.html#ixzz2JWyKvtBL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">short piece at Fairfax<\/a>.\u00a0I found nothing at all on the ABC media\u00a0platforms or on its corporate website.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, former ABC broadcaster Peter Clarke\u00a0sent me the result of his in-depth search, a very buried, very brief statement of the\u00a0decision with no background or reasons.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/4hcwant.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-955\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/4hcwant.png?resize=604%2C353\" alt=\"4hcwanT\" width=\"604\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/4hcwant.png?w=714&amp;ssl=1 714w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/4hcwant.png?resize=300%2C175&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To my great surprise I got more information from Mr Smith\u2019s website, because he\u00a0published the ABC email to the anonymous complainant, who appears to be one of \u00a0his fans.\u00a0See \u2018<a title=\"Mike Smith\" href=\"http:\/\/www.michaelsmithnews.com\/2013\/02\/jon-faine-will-you-resign\/comments\/page\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jon Faine &#8211; will you resign?<\/a>\u2019<\/p>\n<p>As I write, I can find no media release by the ABC and no news story on the apology,\u00a0reprimand or Mr Uhlmann\u2019s call for ABC management to back Mr Faine and withdraw the\u00a0finding.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The day after the finding, a listener who had heard Jon Faine comment on air, <a title=\"\u201cFaining Outrage\u201d from ABC\u00a0Management\" href=\"http:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\/2013\/02\/01\/faining-outrage-from-the-abc-management\/\">reported<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 FAINE NEWS:<\/strong> @MsMountebank reports that during \u2018Wrap\u2019 segment today Jon\u00a0Faine said he \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 wasn\u2019t happy with the ABC decision against him and had asked for a\u00a0review.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">However, he said he had conflicting advice whether it was possible to get a review.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Faine also noted that within minutes of receiving the decision it was online at The\u00a0Age, which did not ask him for comment. This was despite the fact that one of the\u00a0people in the interview complained of was Age journalist Mark Baker.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><strong>Editors note:<\/strong> The Age needs to be asked if Faine\u2019s allegation is true, and if so, to\u00a0explain its poor form. I would also love to publish an interview with Mr. Faine\u00a0in <a title=\"AFHP\" href=\"http:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\">http:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com<\/a>\u00a0Any takers?<\/p>\n<p>Mr Faine\u2019s comments were not reported by the ABC and ABC Melbourne radio did not\u00a0reply to my request for audio of his remarks. The Australian <a title=\"The Oz\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theaustralian.com.au\/media\/broadcast\/jon-faine-to-fight-abc-ruling-over-on-air-interview-lapse\/story-fna045gd-1226566279319\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reported them behind a\u00a0paywall<\/a>\u00a0and Crikey also reported\u00a0<a title=\"Crikey\" href=\"http:\/\/www.crikey.com.au\/2013\/02\/01\/jon-faines-not-sorry-abc-standards-slap-sparks-internal-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">behind a pay wall<\/a><em id=\"__mceDel\">. <\/em>Michael Smith reported them <a title=\"Mike Smith\" href=\"http:\/\/www.michaelsmithnews.com\/2013\/01\/an-apology-from-the-abc-over-jon-faines-interview-with-me.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>. Fairfax, despite the criticism\u00a0by Mr Faine of its actions, was silent. I tried in vain to obtain from Melbourne ABC radio an\u00a0audio or transcript of Mr Faine\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n<p>To be blunt, I was horrified by the process, the failure of\u00a0transparency by corporate ABC, the apparent censorship by ABC news platforms, and the lack of respect shown to Mr Faine\u2019s listeners. I also believe it is wrong not to publish the background to and reasoning behind such an important\u00a0decision. It is unfair to Mr Faine, contemptuous of his listeners, and inimical to\u00a0transparency in what will be an extraordinarily fraught election year.<\/p>\n<p>I tweeted the following into the ABC void:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>ABC LISTENERS please ask ABC to publish its order against Jon Faine and advise of his review rights. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/abcmarkscott\">@abcmarkscott<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mickmillett\">@mickmillett<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/297166036447408128\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Mark, I find myself in agreement with Gerard Henderson at <a title=\"Hendo\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thesydneyinstitute.com.au\/media-watch-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Sydney Institute website<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">As ABC managing director and editor-in-chief, Mark Scott is paid substantially more\u00a0than the Treasurer Wayne Swan.\u00a0 When there is a complaint about a senior ABC\u00a0figure like Jon Faine, this clearly is a matter for the public broadcaster\u2019s editor-inchief to resolve.\u00a0 However, nice Mr Scott delegates such key matters to middle level\u00a0ABC bureaucrats based in Canberra.<\/p>\n<p>Please explain.<\/p>\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n<p>Margo Kingston<\/p>\n<p>@margokingston1<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"AFHP\" href=\"https:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Audio of the 2 Jon Faine interviews in question:<\/strong>\u00a0Jon Faine Interview with Mike Smith and Mark Baker 23 November 2013<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-audio\" data-id=\"su_audio_player_648ea98c4c92b\" data-audio=\"http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3\" data-swf=\"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/plugins\/shortcodes-ultimate\/vendor\/jplayer\/jplayer.swf\" data-autoplay=\"no\" data-loop=\"no\" style=\"max-width:70%\"><div id=\"su_audio_player_648ea98c4c92b\" class=\"jp-jplayer\"><\/div><div id=\"su_audio_player_648ea98c4c92b_container\" class=\"jp-audio\"><div class=\"jp-type-single\"><div class=\"jp-gui jp-interface\"><div class=\"jp-controls\"><span class=\"jp-play\"><\/span><span class=\"jp-pause\"><\/span><span class=\"jp-stop\"><\/span><span class=\"jp-mute\"><\/span><span class=\"jp-unmute\"><\/span><span class=\"jp-volume-max\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"jp-progress\"><div class=\"jp-seek-bar\"><div class=\"jp-play-bar\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"jp-volume-bar\"><div class=\"jp-volume-bar-value\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"jp-current-time\"><\/div><div class=\"jp-duration\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"jp-title\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><a title=\"Jon Faine\" href=\"https:\/\/australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com\/  2013\/02\/01\/faining-outrage-from-the-abc-management\/?wref=tp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AFHP Archive for Jon Faine apology\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Selected tweets from working journalists concerned at the implications of the Faine\u00a0decision:<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>The interviews, which so shamed the ABC\u2019s correctness commissars, were robust exchanges between a broadcaster and two journalists. MTC<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Chris Uhlmann (@CUhlmann) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CUhlmann\/status\/296785519453560832\">January 31, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\">@margokingston1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/benpobjie\">@benpobjie<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CUhlmann\">@cuhlmann<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Colvinius\">@colvinius<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Wendycarlisle\">@wendycarlisle<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BernardKeane\">@bernardkeane<\/a> I&#39;m absolutely supporting Faine-all the way<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; rafael epstein (@Raf_Epstein) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Raf_Epstein\/status\/297273198226051073\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>Jon Faine ABC ruling has a chill effect on Journo&#39;s  interested in reporting not what people say, but whether they have evidence <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CUhlmann\">@CUhlmann<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Wendy Carlisle (@Wendycarlisle) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Wendycarlisle\/status\/296930265895428096\">January 31, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>if the ABC seriously thinks Faine&#39;s aggressive challenging of a disgusting smear campaign was wrong, we&#39;re in trouble.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bernard Keane (@BernardKeane) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BernardKeane\/status\/297224772998275072\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>Jon Faine regularly gives his views &#8211; is that to stop as not &quot;impartial?&quot; He was interviewing 2 tough journos &#8211; ludicrous decision ABC.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Gay Alcorn (@Gay_Alcorn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Gay_Alcorn\/status\/297229213394685954\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>If I read the Jon Faine ruling right <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/leighsales\">@leighsales<\/a> must give back her Walkley while Piers &amp; David have to hold hands on the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/InsidersABC\">@InsidersABC<\/a> sofa.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; George Megalogenis (@GMegalogenis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GMegalogenis\/status\/297227741344964608\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>Good on Mr Smith. He couldn&#39;t destroy the PM with his AWU slush sting, but he got the ABC to humiliate a journo who called him on his crap.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/297215320987422720\">February 1, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" width=\"500\">\n<p>Abbott has NewsLtd on side &amp; ABC on his hit list.  Public needs to support fearless journalists. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/jonfaine?src=hash\">#jonfaine<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; jillsinger (@snooplady) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/snooplady\/status\/296790501061967873\">January 31, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_903\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-939-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3\">http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/?powerpress_pinw=939-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.abc.net.au\/files\/hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"hectic-half-hour-23-11-12.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><!--powerpress_player--><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February 4, 2013 Mr Mark Scott, Managing Director ABC Dear Mark, Re: ABC apology to anonymous complainant and reprimand to Jon Faine over his\u00a0interview with former shock-jock Michael Smith\u00a0 I write to seek information on this matter and express my concerns at its process. I first learned of it through a strongly worded protest by [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3434,3402,1883,57,74,26,32,1886],"tags":[2685,2587,270,309],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t0mw-f9","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}