Veitch sentenced

**Winston001** · 20th April 2009, 15:54

Originally Posted by Beemer

Veitch himself sent a text to the media - knowing full well that they would run it as a story. If he really did want help, he'd call a friend or family member and tell them where he was and what he planned to do....

Not picking on you, but find myself in the odious position of defending this man in some areas.

He works in the media. Talking to them is normal. He has friends in the media. Its a natural thing for him to turn to that media particularly when under stress.

**Beemer** · 20th April 2009, 16:12

Originally Posted by Winston001

Not picking on you, but find myself in the odious position of defending this man in some areas.

He works in the media. Talking to them is normal. He has friends in the media. Its a natural thing for him to turn to that media particularly when under stress.

Yes, but being in the media means he would know the meaning of "off the record" and his friends - if they are true friends and not just acquaintances - would be sensitive enough to recognise a cry for help and provide that rather than thinking "choice, a scoop!"

I have been a journalist for a number of years and have been told many things in confidence that would make fantastic stories. If I were an arsehole I'd have used those things rather than valuing my friendships.

**Swoop** · 20th April 2009, 16:13

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Veitch has proven through his behaviours to be conniving, cunning, manipulative and deceitful. Consequently I am of the view that his "suicidal" behaviour and attempts at irrationality are merely a guise to attract public sympathy that his previous strategy failed to do.

I am beginning to wonder if there is a book being written. Free publicity and all that.

**Beemer** · 20th April 2009, 16:40

Originally Posted by forkoil

Obviously not from you (or your sympathisers) at least. And the media doesnt gain out of this. Why the hell did the Herald run the stories on the front page about the character references? Cant they just let it lie. Personal dislike for someone is no excuse for wishing them dead

On the subject of the references, I can understand why they ran the story, because the people who offered those references were being asked why and they were trying to justify their actions. However, in my opinion, if you are asked for a character reference and feel happy to give one, there should be no limitation on what that reference is then used for. Either you are happy to provide a character reference or you aren't. I think it makes those who are complaining look hypocritical. They were happy to give Veitch a reference when they believed the only people who would see it would be Internal Affairs officials. I don't actually have a problem with people giving character references for him - hell, I bet a lot of really nasty criminals appear in court with references from their friends saying what lovely people they are when they're not on P, etc. It's human nature to want people to know the person is not all bad.

Unfortunately the media will run what they think sells. As long as people keep buying the magazines or papers, they will keep running stories that make some of us sick.

**forkoil** · 20th April 2009, 16:47

You dont think that because Veitch is himself a (successful) journalist, that he is more fair game from other (bitchy/jealous) journalists? That would be a bit ignoble wouldnt it.

**Hitcher** · 20th April 2009, 16:55

Originally Posted by forkoil

You dont think that because Veitch is himself a (successful) journalist, that he is more fair game from other (bitchy/jealous) journalists? That would be a bit ignoble wouldnt it.

Veitch is a presenter, not a journalist. Despite what some may think, A Game Of Two Halves or reading the sports results on TV news isn't journalism.

**Beemer** · 20th April 2009, 16:57

Originally Posted by forkoil

You dont think that because Veitch is himself a (successful) journalist, that he is more fair game from other (bitchy/jealous) journalists? That would be a bit ignoble wouldnt it.

He's a sports presenter - I wouldn't class him as a journalist, tv news is an entirely different ball game. I doubt they would be out to 'get him' because he is supposedly successful, they want to run stories about him because they know people will watch/buy their publications. That's why they are filled with stories about so-called Shortland Street 'stars' - people actually watch that crap and want to read about it too!

Half the time a journalist doesn't have a lot of say in what stories they follow - it's the news editor's job to assign stories. If they think it's something the public will be interested in (compared with in the public interest, which is something the public should know), they will run with it. And if TV3 runs something, of course TV1 has to or they will be accused of protecting their own.

Edited to add - thank you Hitcher, for recognising there is a difference!

**forkoil** · 20th April 2009, 16:58

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Veitch is a presenter, not a journalist. Despite what some may think, A Game Of Two Halves or reading the sports results on TV news isn't journalism.

You are confident about that Hitcher? You wouldnt be a journalist would you?

**Beemer** · 20th April 2009, 17:04

Some news presenters started off as journalists, but if you seriously think they write all their own material, you're sadly mistaken. I am a journalist and I used to work as a researcher on a television news show. We'd have a meeting with the news editor and the presenter and they would decide what stories we would follow up on for that week. Guess who would spend the next few days running around like a blue arsed fly, chasing up leads, finding information, getting people to appear on the show? Not the fucking presenter, that's for sure!

**forkoil** · 20th April 2009, 17:40

This has probably already been said in this thread but I think newspaper editors underestimate their audience if they think we arent often disgusted at their lack of decency in cases like this. The dumbing down of newspapers and media in general in my lifetime is disturbing to say the least, and justification of their actions supports this trend.

**Beemer** · 20th April 2009, 17:47

Unfortunately it still sells papers - in fact more papers are sold when people do think the line has been crossed - it's human nature to be morally offended. And it's increasingly the advertisers/shareholders steering the paper and not the editor. If it sells, they will print it. Good news doesn't sell as many papers as bad news.

**discotex** · 20th April 2009, 20:24

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Many people in this thread,practically a 50% split have suggested that KDP deserved to have her back broken because "she pushed him into it".

Think you've misread 50% of the posts then. I don't recall seeing a single post that says or implies she deserved to be assaulted or that the assault was in any way excusable.

Originally Posted by James Deuce

I'm not revelling in his mental health issues.

That wasn't aimed at your post JD. Was just saving post count by putting another point in the one post.