Another classic editorial today from Mitchell & Co. One thing you have to admire about Mitchell is that he takes no prisoners, which is a trait I value highly: you live by the sword or die by the sword. As I said the other day, In a world of lonely wolves, tis safer to be feared than loved. That might be described as 'Mitchell's maxim'. While I certainly disagree strongly with The Oz's point of view on many subjects, and I think that The Oz runs aggressive news agendas that are not possible by the likes of the ABC (eg, apropos the NBN), I respect Mitchell. In my little melee with Chris Kenny over Mark Scott and the ABC, Mitchell immediately offered to run a 900 word response outlining the other side of the story. Likewise on the banking debate late last year, which was an offer I ended up knocking back. That's good value as far as I am concerned. I still owe him a response to Kenny, and will get around to it one day. Here is Mitchell this morning:
"Fairfax editors must hold their readers in such low esteem that they will only share with them information that will help shape pre-determined opinions. What a deceptive manipulation of public discourse and an insult to the readers. What disregard for the essence of news and journalism."
