I had written a story on a prominent farm consultant who made some comments about dairy farmers and timing of selling their cull cows. He believed they should have sold them much earlier than they did.
His comments were great - he is a great consultant - and when I left the place I work at I honestly thought I had left a good story that farmers could ruminate over.
After a night meeting I came back to find, online, a completely rewritten introduction by a fill in Chief Reporter that was emotive and incorrect. The paper in question did not have a front page story that day so this was spruced up to make it so.
I have always subscribed to ethical journalism. I know there is not enough of it around right now but I have always felt that regional papers were better deliverers of that value.
Today I'm not so sure. In fact my faith in the future of this career was deeply shaken when comments by a very good consultant were changed so much that they could affect his career.
Currently I am doing the Kelloggs Rural Leadership Course and have had to suffer a lot of criticism about "the media". I understand farmers frustration but thought I might be able to change things for the better.
Now I'm not so sure and would like to hear your perspective on journalism and what we can do to make it a better vocation - and to better interpret your voices in the primary industry.
