Let the facts speak for itself
As journalists, we report on the news. We do not make the news.
And then there are times when we have no choice but to stand up and speak on our own behalf, as was the case when our online editor and senior journalist, Charmaine Slater, was subpoenaed to testify in the trial of Bob Hewitt, who faces two charges of rape and one of sexual assault.
The decision to take the stand was based on adhering to an instruction issued by a court of law and, more specifically, to protect the integrity and good name of the NEWS and its journalist. The article, in which Suellen Sheehan alleged she was one of Hewitt’s victims, was written by Charmaine and published by the NEWS on January 16, 2012 – three years ago.
The accuracy of the information in this article was never questioned (until now) as the NEWS, nor its editor or senior management, ever received any notification about incorrect information published. Requests for a retraction or correction were also not received from Sheehan.
The only response to the article, sent to Charmaine on January 24, 2012, by Sheehan read; “Wow” and “I think you did a fantastic job”. Again, no mention was made of incorrect information. Her only response was to commend Charmaine.
Charmaine’s reputation as a reputable and credible journalist in the Edenvale and Bedfordview communities has grown from strength to strength and she has always proudly and responsibly represented the NEWS and Caxton.
Our reporting was called into question and we were compelled to set the record straight in our own interest and not in the interest of the accused or the complainants.
Our loyalty is to seeking the truth and to fair and objective reporting. Our newsroom adheres to our own principle of – let the facts speak for itself. By adhering to this newsroom principle, our readers are granted the opportunity to decide for themselves.
