Jonathan Colwell · @Adroitmanouvers
12th Nov 2014 from TwitLonger
#gamergate Apology for the 7:30 report by @moniqueschafter
Hi there guys. I need to apologise.
I can't help but take the blame for the 7:30 report turning it's gaze on #GamerGate.
I was interviewed by the reporter in question about a two and a half months ago. At the time, considering that I had heard she was able to do neutral pieces on maligned segments of society, and in light of the fact that the piece in question was on bronies and came off rather positive, I was inclined to mention GamerGate to her.
She declined interest in it on the day and that was that.
on the 22nd of October I received a text message from her asking me for more information about GamerGate. In my naivety I assumed that this would be another neutral piece, so I responded enthusiastically, like a puppy.
I communicated via phone call, email and text message, eagerly relaying facts about GamerGate. I may not have been the most coordinated person at the time as I was under a lot of pressure at work but there were some good facts in what I sent her.
I became somewhat wary when I heard that Brianna Wu was being interviewed, I held some small hope that there would be something similar to the later on David Pakman segment but there was not. What we got was not the seeking of facts but the spewing of unfounded rhetoric by uninformed or malicious persons.
I also felt that we had a chance as the style of piece that was put out is in direct violation of the ABC code of practics locatable here
http://about.abc.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ABCCodeOfPractice20143.pdf
More specifically these segments
Standards:
4.1 Gather and present news and information with due impartiality.
4.2 Present a diversity of perspectives so that, over time, no significant strand of thought
or belief within the community is knowingly excluded or disproportionately represented.
4.3 Do not state or imply that any perspective is the editorial opinion of the ABC. The
ABC takes no editorial stance other than its commitment to fundamental democratic
principles including the rule of law, freedom of speech and religion, parliamentary
democracy and equality of opportunity.
4.4 Do not misrepresent any perspective.
4.5 Do not unduly favour one perspective over another.
So here it is guys, I'm the one that lead ABC to the GamerGate fountain.
You have my most sincere apologies.