Hahaha, well certainly not in NZ, since when was media independent. Were they not all bribed when taking money from the Public Interest Journalism Fund
Independent media exists to scrutinise powerful institutions and hold them to account, even if critical of leadership.
Statement from The Thoroughbred Report
Three independent racing publications, including The Thoroughbred Report, have recently received correspondence from Peter V’landys’ and/or Racing NSW’s legal counsel in response to reporting on governance matters within the New South Wales thoroughbred racing industry.https://bitofayarn.com
We want to make one point unequivocally clear: responsible journalism must not be met with legal intimidation.
Independent media exists to scrutinise powerful institutions and hold them to account, even if critical of leadership.
That role is essential to the health and integrity of any industry.https://bitofayarn.com
Australia’s implied freedom of political communication protects the media’s ability to discuss matters of governance and public interest. Trying to intimidate journalists through legal threats is fundamentally inconsistent with that protection.
When this happens, the message extends far beyond the newsroom. It tells trainers, owners, breeders, employees, and concerned participants that speaking up carries risk. It creates fear and encourages silence. And it erodes the culture of openness on which trust depends.
Governance is strengthened, not weakened, by transparency, independent oversight, and constructive conversation.
An industry cannot function with confidence if those tasked with informing its community are suppressed. It cannot claim transparency while simultaneously attempting to intimidate its critics.
And it cannot expect public trust if its default response to scrutiny is to threaten those who provide it.https://bitofayarn.com
We remain open to receiving and incorporating all perspectives at any time. However, our efforts to engage and seek information have routinely received no reply.
We will continue to remain open to dialogue from every participant, as open communication is essential to meaningful understanding and positive change.https://bitofayarn.com
We will not be deterred and remain committed to responsible journalism.