You might have seen ads on the back of buses and taxis recently, bought out by News Corp, reading: “What good is the freedom of the press if you don’t use it?”. All well and good in theory, but when “freedom of press” = [allegedly] bending the truth for the sake of a captivating front page?
Nah mate.
Yesterday, The Daily Telegraph‘s front page exclusive reported on a scheduled screening during class time of Sydney filmmaker Maya Newell‘s critically-acclaimed documentary following children with same-sex parents, ‘Gayby Baby’, at her former high school, Burwood Girls’ High.
The Daily Telegraph claimed plans for the screening was causing an “uproar”, “outrage” and “backlash” among Burwood Girls’ High parents.
An accompanying op-ed by media pest Piers Ackerman claimed the school had received “numerous complaints” over the screening. In an exclusive, however, The Guardian reports that the number of complaints lodged by parents actually amounted to zero, per a statement from the NSW Department of Education.
No influx of parent complaints. No backlash. No uproar. Just another day in Murdoch-owned media.
Following the front page story, NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli announced that ‘Gayby Baby’ would not be allowed to be shown during school hours. The film was scheduled to screen as part of Wear It Purple day – a day for promoting LGBT acceptance and awareness.
Piccoli explained the decision to ban the film during school hours on radio yesterday.
“During school hours we expect them to be doing maths and English and curriculum matters. This movie is not part of the curriculum and that’s why I’ve made that direction.”
Via The Guardian.
