As a Coburg resident I must say I find your meddler quite interesting at times. But I have to say if you decide to criticize someone, please have the decency not to share very personal information that had nothing to do with the article. I’m sure you can work out what I’m talking about. If you had done that to me I would have sued your meddler. Meddling is one thing but giving personal family information is not on. Think wisely before you meddler with people’s business next time.
Anonymous
MEDDLER’S THOUGHTS
Perhaps there are a number of people who share similar concerns about last edition’s front page article titled ‘Crooked House – Demolition by Neglect or Design?’. In this article, we named the applicant of a demolition permit for a home on the Grove in Coburg that had a heritage protection. Not only did we name the applicant, but we also shared details about his character; namely, that he had been found guilty in court of both tax fraud and recently physically assaulting his parents.
The media’s influence on the public’s feelings about other people means that if journalists are reckless and vindictive, then they can have a hugely negative impact over people’s lives.
It’s not a very satisfying defense to claim that the information that we published was public knowledge, proven in a court of law. The Coburg Courier, which ran from x to z, was once in the habit of publishing the names and details of people going through divorce proceedings in open court. The insidious outcome of which likely helped to keep unhappy partners trapped in unsatisfying or abusive marriages. Even though certain information is public, does not mean that journalists should still recklessly weaponise it against individuals.
Regardless, there are instances where a person’s character and past crimes are relevant to a current question. Reasonable minds might disagree over whether our last edition’s article crossed the line. We personally stand by it.
VERBAL COMMENTS TO THE EDITOR
“I’m sorry, but you should get a life”.
Uncle P
The Coburg Meddler 