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I wrote a letter to the SMH explaining that Greg Growden is a tool box and should be sacked. I received a very interesting reply.
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Dear James,
Recently you contacted ReaderLink. The following outlines The Herald's response:
Dear Mr Dewing,
Thank you for your email which related to articles written by Greg Growden, the Herald's chief rugby writer. Your comments have been forwarded to Mr Growden.
We value all feedback, even negative feedback such as yours, because it forces us to closely examine our newspaper and, hopefully, improve it in the future. However, while I understand that you may be distressed about what you perceive as unwarranted attacks on a sport you obviously love, none of our journalists are paid to provide uncritical comment.
The Australian Rugby Union is an organisation administering a sport which, at
its upper levels, is fully professional. Many of the participants at both the
administrative and playing level are extremely well paid, with a large part of
that income coming from people like you who purchase tickets to matches, watch the games on free to air or pay television and spend up on official merchandise.
Many of those people are also readers of The Sydney Morning Herald and we
believe they deserve an honest appraisal of the sport's progress, both on and off the field, by people such as Mr Growden who are steeped in the rugby
tradition and who have spent much of their career closely involved with the
game.
Mr Growden has been quick to praise the recent turnaround in the Wallabies' fortunes but would be failing in his duty to the reading public were he to ignore any internal machinations which could impact on the code's ability to perform at an optimum level.
Without Mr Growden's recent investigations we would not have known about the ructions within the Wallaby coaching ranks, about John O'Neill's fears for the viability of the new Australian Rugby Championship, about the lessening of around $20 million from the ARU's reserves or about the possibility that major sponsors Qantas and Suncorp could have been lost to the game.
While this might not make pretty reading, I believe it to be necessary if the
code's followers are to be fully informed.
The media has many purposes, one of which is to shine a light into dark places. To do that requires a brave and well-informed journalist, and I believe Mr Growden answers that description.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to further discuss this or any other matter.
Regards
Sam North
Managing Editor
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The phrases "honest appraisal" and "brave and well-informed journalist" almost made me choke.
Wheres the punch line??
Well thank goodness that GG is keeping the reading public informed![]()
http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/08/29...nto-the-press/
go have a go at him here...
Originally Posted by jargan83
You must have missed itthe Herald's chief rugby writer![]()
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
Pure gold from the Roar thread mentioned above:
Author: Sam Taulelei
Comment:
Hot off the press from NZ a transcript of the conversation between John Connolly and Spiro before departing for France that reveals everything.
John Connolly
You want answers?
Spiro Zavos
I think I'm entitled to them.
John Connolly
You want answers?!
Spiro Zavos
I want the truth.
John Connolly
You can't handle the truth!
John Connolly
Spiro we live in a world that has reporters. And the news
has to be reported by men with an agenda. Who's gonna
do it? You?
You, John O'Neill?
I have a greater responsibility that you can possibly fathom.
You weep for Greg Growden and you curse the Wallabies.
You have that luxury.
You have the luxury of not knowing what I know:
That the Wallabies folly, while tragic probably saved tries.
And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible
to you, saves tries.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you
don't talk about in the press gallery, you want me on that field.
You need me on that field.
We use words like crouch, touch and engage...we use these
words as the backbone to a scrum defending something. You
use 'em as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself
to a man who sleeps under the blanket of the very success I provide,
Then questions the manner in which I provide it.
I'd prefer you just said thank you and went on your way.
Otherwise I suggest you pick up a rugby ball and take a post.
Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to.
Spiro Zavos
Are you the ARU's unnamed source?
John Connolly
I did the job you sent me to do.
Spiro Zavos
Are you the ARU's unnamed source?
John Connolly
You're goddam right I am!!!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
God bwess you Gweg Gwowden....To do that requires a brave and well-informed journalist, and I believe Mr Growden answers that description.![]()
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Done!Originally Posted by travelling_gerry
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
Burgs, absolute GOLD![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
yep smashed the so and so as well.
just hope we get the right result tonight from fort fumble!