V'Landys Takes No Prisoners - Statement From The Thoroughbred Report

[Chief Stipe]

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.

[Huey]

Could this be the end of forums like this @Chief Stipe ?

[hesi]

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.

Edited 2 hours ago by hesi

[hesi]

1 minute ago, Huey said:

Could this be the end of forums like this @Chief Stipe ?

No

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Could this be the end of forums like this @Chief Stipe ?

Nope.  Just don't slander V'Landys on here.  I'd have to moderate your amusing posts.

[Special Agent]

Independent media is not alive and well in this country.  As for independent media in NZ racing, who's kidding who?

[Murray Fish]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Peter V’landys’ and/or Racing NSW’s legal counsel

to some  'a thug!' 'a bully boy!', a right nasty bordering vulgarness..  

to others the greatest admin in au...

[Special Agent]

17 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

to some  'a thug!' 'a bully boy!', a right nasty bordering vulgarness..  

to others the greatest admin in au...

Merely an opinion which is getting more restrictive to voice.

[Chief Stipe]

37 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

As for independent media in NZ racing, who's kidding who?

Oh come on!  Young Mick Guerin is at the cutting edge of investigative journalism!