JERSEY MSM - IN THE GUTTER -1

Sir Philip

This is the email I received from Editor Chris Bright and  my reply. I think it speaks for itself. The total lack of any respect shown to the Abuse Survivors is beyond belief.

Rs 

From: Chris Bright  Sent: 23 September 2011 14:41 To: Corinne Wiseman Subject: Message for Rico Sorda   Dear Mr Sorda, It has been brought to my attention that you have come into possession of, and circulated, a private email sent by me to Miss **** ****. I have no idea, and no wish to spend time ascertaining, why you should have felt entitled to publish my private correspondence, but kindly refrain from  such discourteous behaviour in the future. Chris Bright, Editor. Dear Mr Bright   Thank you for your email.   I had best start at the beginning.  I was contacted by an abuse survivor who was disgusted by your crass reply to an email they had sent you.  Some very serious concerns were raised by this person regarding the biased reporting in respect of such issues as the historic child abuse enquiry (the "HCAE"), continued vilification of former Senator Stuart Syvret and the non-reporting of the serious issues surrounding the former investigating officer of the HCAE, Mick Gradwell, leaking information during a live investigation.   Having read your reply I was left in shock.  You could not have shown more disdain for this person if you had tried.  Your reply lacked compassion and understanding of what the victims of abuse have been through.  Could it be that the tone of your reply can be interpreted in itself as an explanation of the JEPs apparent stance on these issues being as you are its chief editor?  In an island which has only one newspaper, is it not right for the local populus to expect some fair and balanced reporting?  Considering the level of accountability that Rupert Murdoch, heading up a newspaper with a readership of only 40%, has had to face in respect of certain ethical matters, surely an individual heading up a newspaper with 100% market readsership should be prepared to be called to account for statements made in written correspondence to a member of the public.   With the forthcoming committee of enquiry into the HCAE, it is imperative that the role of the local mainstream media is considered.  They have done nothing but trash the HCAE and so with it the credibility of the abuse survivors themselves.  I find it hard to understand why the JEP, CTV and BBC Jersey have acted in this way rather than investigating the allegations made and reporting their findings in an impartial fashion.  Who now, other than certain politicians, will feel that they can turn to the media for help and support?  I feel that the JEP is fully aligned with the old feudal power of Jersey.  It does not surprise me that it has thrown its weight behind Sir Philip Bailhache in the forthcoming senatorial elections, but who could forget the Roger Holland affair, the Liberation Day 2008 speech and the Jarvis Dykes fiasco?   The JEP can no longer get away with its non-credible reporting as time and technology has caught up with it.   Please show the abuse survivors the common respect they deserve.   Kind regards    Rico Sorda