Comments on: Slugger Awards 2008: Journalism… http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/ Conversation, politics and stray insights Sun, 27 May 2012 00:18:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Local Government Officer http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265668 Local Government Officer Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:11:31 +0000 #comment-265668 It also helps if you had any idea how much time, effort and expense goes into answering one of them, when actually, we should be getting on with our jobs. I believe some central civil service departments have entire teams dedicated to this. It has singularly helped to ensure that the "nothing gets done" culture of the public sector - something, which believe it or not, many of us younger ones would like to see killed dead - gets to stay, and stay firmly in place. It has its merits. I've used it myself, but if you had any idea just how lazy local journalists especially, have become relying on this particular tool, you'd understand our frustrations. Especially when the questions are about the errant deeds of some Councillor, or MLA. It also helps if you had any idea how much time, effort and expense goes into answering one of them, when actually, we should be getting on with our jobs. I believe some central civil service departments have entire teams dedicated to this.

It has singularly helped to ensure that the “nothing gets done” culture of the public sector – something, which believe it or not, many of us younger ones would like to see killed dead – gets to stay, and stay firmly in place.

It has its merits. I’ve used it myself, but if you had any idea just how lazy local journalists especially, have become relying on this particular tool, you’d understand our frustrations. Especially when the questions are about the errant deeds of some Councillor, or MLA.

]]> By: Peat Blog http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265479 Peat Blog Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:20:39 +0000 #comment-265479 "f you have ever lodged a FOI you will know how important framing the question is, and important it is to have done your groundwork to get anything that was useful." It also usually helps to know the answer in advance. “f you have ever lodged a FOI you will know how important framing the question is, and important it is to have done your groundwork to get anything that was useful.”

It also usually helps to know the answer in advance.

]]> By: Damien Okado-Gough http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265471 Damien Okado-Gough Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:33:53 +0000 #comment-265471 Mick, I'd go further to say that few journalists seem to be making the effort to fulfill their remit of scrutinising of those in public office and that's why I was one of those who proposed David Gordon for the award. I once heard a journalist, who I respect quite a lot, referring to many of her colleagues as a bunch of "fax-munchers and paycheque-collectors who wouldn't know how to dig for a story if they'd a pen the size of a spade." David Gordon's work over this last couple of years has shown exemplary skills and dedication in this field. Mick,
I’d go further to say that few journalists seem to be making the effort to fulfill their remit of scrutinising of those in public office and that’s why I was one of those who proposed David Gordon for the award.
I once heard a journalist, who I respect quite a lot, referring to many of her colleagues as a bunch of “fax-munchers and paycheque-collectors who wouldn’t know how to dig for a story if they’d a pen the size of a spade.” David Gordon’s work over this last couple of years has shown exemplary skills and dedication in this field.

]]> By: Mick Fealty http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265470 Mick Fealty Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:25:25 +0000 #comment-265470 Ed, That's a rather reductive and disingenuous remark. f you have ever lodged a FOI you will know how important framing the question is, and important it is to have done your groundwork to get anything that was useful. That would be a reference to the kinds of routine pressure that journalists and newspapers come under when trying to 'speak truth unto power'. Ed,

That’s a rather reductive and disingenuous remark. f you have ever lodged a FOI you will know how important framing the question is, and important it is to have done your groundwork to get anything that was useful.

That would be a reference to the kinds of routine pressure that journalists and newspapers come under when trying to ‘speak truth unto power’.

]]> By: Belfast Gonzo http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265461 Belfast Gonzo Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:55:50 +0000 #comment-265461 To be fair, he's one of the few who've picked up the tin opener. And probably the only one to know how to cook the contents. You're not a vegetable, so I'm sure you understand. To be fair, he’s one of the few who’ve picked up the tin opener. And probably the only one to know how to cook the contents.

You’re not a vegetable, so I’m sure you understand.

]]> By: Edward Carson http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265440 Edward Carson Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:29:12 +0000 #comment-265440 "He is widely held to played a critical role in uncovering the detail that led to the resignation of Ian Paisley from the job of First Minster. He followed a line of inquiry that required great personal courage." Why great personal courage? FoI requests make him the best journalist? That seems odd. Like getting best chef for being able to open a tin of soup... “He is widely held to played a critical role in uncovering the detail that led to the resignation of Ian Paisley from the job of First Minster. He followed a line of inquiry that required great personal courage.”

Why great personal courage?

FoI requests make him the best journalist? That seems odd. Like getting best chef for being able to open a tin of soup…

]]> By: Driftwood http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265434 Driftwood Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:08:03 +0000 #comment-265434 Newton Emerson well ahead of the pack, but maybe not cynical enough? Newton Emerson well ahead of the pack, but maybe not cynical enough?

]]> By: The Raven http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265414 The Raven Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:22:12 +0000 #comment-265414 "when he lodges a well aimed Freedom of Information request" Journalism, ye say....? “when he lodges a well aimed Freedom of Information request”

Journalism, ye say….?

]]> By: Peat Blog http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265413 Peat Blog Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:18:07 +0000 #comment-265413 Agreed Agreed

]]> By: Mark McGregor http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/10/08/slugger-awards-2008-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-265405 Mark McGregor Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:23:30 +0000 #comment-265405 Another worthy winner. Another worthy winner.

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