CRITICISM can be hard to swallow.
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I received a letter this week claiming that the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner has “done so little to present and discuss” council’s proposed rates rise, that we should do more “rather than just silently accept these changes”.
I yesterday asked the letter writer – and put forward an open question to you, dear reader, how could we have done it better?
We first published general manager Catherine Dale’s intention of applying for a rate rise in 2013
We reported on it as soon as it went to council last year and we have since published five front page stories on the issue – one each in September, October and November and two in December – including the results of council’s own surveys which showed overwhelming opposition to the rate rise.
This was in addition to the almost weekly stories inside the paper in November and December.
We explored concerns from community groups, we questioned council’s invested $72 million which it says are “mostly” restricted funds, and examined council staff numbers and how they are funded. We listed projects council had identified as “priorities”, published your letters, conducted an online poll and brought you the debate when councillors voted.
I humbly ask, what more should we have done?
This month’s Tuross Giant too takes a veiled swipe at this publication, stating that local press only does “little stories” when council gets it wrong. “You hardly ever see anything when council gets it wrong”, it says.
The newsletter author has a short memory, given we have published several stories featuring his opposition to council decisions and proposals.
Then there is the recently established Euro-Leaks Facebook page, which has, in recent weeks, published paid-for posts spreading misinformation about myself, this paper and Fairfax Media.
I was told by a community member that I should set the record straight by defending myself on these posts, if I stand for honestly and integrity.
I do stand for honesty and integrity but I should not have to defend myself against a man with a personal vendetta who finds fault in anything, and everything I say.
I am the first to admit when I make a mistake (and there have been many). I cannot correct them if you do not tell me; I cannot report on things that I do not know about and we cannot improve without constructive feedback.
I am open, I am honest, I can be upfront sometimes but I am always willing to have a chat about anything.
I work hard to produce what I think is a balanced, fair publication, which encourages debate on issues, rather than dictating it, bears witness to the times, celebrates the good times and highlights the bad for the better.
I prove my honesty and integrity in the publication that we produce.