According to The Age, Media Watch presenter Monica Attard is standing down after two years, which she considers long enough in an “extremely taxing” position. The Australian says the show’s producer Tim Palmer is also moving on.
Most responsible positions are personally demanding, so I find Attard’s explanation a little strange. I wonder how long she would last in my job as editor of a regional daily newspaper?
Media Watch has a role to play, no doubt about that, but I tend to think the show has lost its edge. I read a good article by Caroline Overington in The Australian recently which showed how Media Watch missed a number of big issues while being pedantic about minor blemishes and accidental mistakes.
Media Watch, as far as I can tell, relies largely on journalists dobbing in other journalists. That’s pretty selective, and the people who dob are probably disgruntled former employees or competitors.
That was certainly the case in the Kalgoorlie Miner’s last appearance. We discovered that an ABC Radio journalist, who was also an ex-employee, provided the information about a mistake on our part.
A local radio station reported falsely last weekend that an assault victim died. I won’t dob them in.
Media Watch won’t scrutinise them either, because apart from top-rating state and national broadcasts, radio is not recorded.
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Good Afternoon, Mr. Gorey.
Though I have not talked to my cousin, Monica in ages, I think her reason in leaving Media Watch is quite simple. I think she’s tired and wants to enjoy life a little more. What’s wrong with that? She’s still going to be doing her "Sunday Profile" and by reading her comments (on that topic), it sounds like that job is very demanding as well. I am VERY PROUD of my baby cousin for what she has accomplished in Australia and Russia. She has NEVER bragged about herself to the family and if it wasn’t for me going out to the "net" to see what’s going on, we (her relatatives in the U.S.) would never know how much she has accomplished in Australia. Good for you Monica!SincerelyTom Attard
Twitter: mgorey
says:
I guess that Tom arrived here via Google, where if you enter Monica Attard's name this link appears fifth on the list.
There's some irony in that. Enter my name in Google and Media Watch is the second listing.
I never objected to giving Media Watch my response for television broadcast, but I do object to the permanent publication of it on the internet.
Hi Michael.
That’s exactly how I came across your website. I’m just surfing at lunch here in Columbus, Ohio. I wanted to see what was going on with Monica, that’s all. I promised her I would be a Gentleman…and not make any tacky remarks. I love to kid around with her….but (as you know) the internet is NOT the place!
Now remember….Australia is an ally with the Americans!!! NO Anti-American comments (well….George Bush being the exception of course)!
Please excuse me if I intruded on your website.
Please be kind to my ‘cuz!
Thanks for the comment back…that was pretty cool.
Sincerely
Tom