TAMAR BRICKbatz #1: Gunns, The ABC & The Examiner

Salvation Jane (the real identity of whom, of course, is and should remain the best kept secret since secrets were invented, which as we all know occurred in 1937 as a new and fascinating tactic in the leadup to World War 2. But that’s another story.)

An Old Examiner Story – Premier appoints 'Examiner' editor as chief of staff

ABC mediawatch transcript – The Examiner wins the Campbell Reid Perpetual Trophy for the Brazen Recycling of Other People’s Work

ABC mediawatch transcript – The Examiner might even win the Campbell Reid Perpetual Trophy AGAIN!

Maybe you love a conspiracy; maybe you have a mathematical obsession for finding patterns in things; or maybe you like to know what’s going on behind the surface of a discourse that presents itself as news. This is the first in an occasional series that will attempt to monitor the coverage of certain events relating to the progress of a certain $1.4 billion development that a certain company based in Launceston wishes to construct at Long Reach on the fair River Tamar. The three links above provide a running commentary of the approach taken by one news outlet to coverage of this story.

Of particular interest is Examiner Editor Southwell’s letter in response to suggestions of unbalanced coverage by Mediawatch. There is the barest hint of protesting too much, but also of interest is his explanation of coverage given by The Ex to the CommSec report, ie. that five out of seven brokers reckon Gunns Ltd shares are a good buy. What an odd response to the CommSec report, which didn’t to my knowledge question the current viability of Gunns as an investment—what it did do was lay out the reasons for approaching this company very, very carefully if the proposed mill goes ahead. The massive outlay required, coupled with a lack of guarantee regarding the global price of pulp, makes the pulp mill potentially very dodgy in strict investment terms.

Anyway, be vigilant, read wisely, and stay tuned.

Sal Jane