Doug PollardFeeling the Rainbow Love
Your Rainbow Reporter at Work
I would like to say thank you to the outpouring of love and support I have received over the last few rather trying days from all my friends and supporters in the flesh and on Facebook, twitter and the blogosphere.
Sitting in the Joy studios and talking into the microphone - especially when the sms system isn't working or the network is down - it can feel as if you're just talking to the air.
However, I know I am not, and I never forget that I have a responsibility to you to be as honest and fair as I can. I make a point of presenting a range of opinions on my show, and, as I get criticised by politicians and wannabees of all sides, I reckon I get it about right.
Doing a show like mine can upset powerful people, as you may have noticed. As I have written elsewhere, I do not believe it is possible for a journalist to be wholly impartial - even judges like my hero Sir Michael Kirby says that they, with all their training, must inevitably be influenced in ways they are not even conscious of - but one can do one's best to be fair. And display what biases one becomes aware of so that people can take them in to account, and challenge them
Spurious notions like 'balance' can emasculate the true purpose of journalism, which has a proud history of crusading for the underdog - or rather, had, till a bunch of oligarchs and conglomerates took over most news media.
Balance can never mean giving equal prominence to lies and spin, but only equal prominence to equally important facts. In this particular instance, I have proceeded on the basis of known facts. Sometimes the facts lead so inescapably to one conclusion that to give equal prominence to the other side of the argument would be to propogate a lie.
Community newspapers and radio stations like Joy are perhaps one of the few remaining places where it is still possible to practice crusading journalism of the old style - and as this last few days events have shown, it can still be very effective.
Joy can take particular proud of living up to it's own mission statement in this instance: enabling freedom of expression and celebration of our culture, achievements and pride.
There will of course always be creative tension between management on the one side and the news and current affairs function on the other. When attempting to fulfill the journalistic duty 'to speak truth to power' you are necessarily taking risks, and it is management's job to shield the journalist from those risks and ensure she or he is supported and protected.
I am therefore particularly proud of the way Joy has supported me through this challenging time, and the way in which management has stood aside and never interfered with the freedom of expression of this particular broadcaster, as they must have been sorely tempted to do!
In conclusion I want to bask in some of the lovely things that have been said to me tonight, and to say that without your love I could not continue to do this important work.
And as they say on TV - Thank you, and good night.
Kia Alice Groom Hope everything is okay Doug! Sleep well
4 hours ago · Like
Stuart Conroy Thanks for your hard work and activism, appreciate it
4 hours ago · Like · 2 people
James Newburrie ‎*hugs*
4 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Patrick Tan Sweet dream and good night.
4 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Rodney Chiang-Cruise You did good Doug. Proud to know you.
3 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Jo Harrison No matter what Doug, you broke the story, you saw it, you threw a light on it and you breathed life into it. Now it has a life of its own and nothing will stop that. You were on ABC radio today in the context your interview with the now former CEO, because your interview was so critically significant across the media. You did what journalists do and those of us who want an end to homophobic hate and comments that make our elders more afraid to be proud thank you for that.
3 hours ago · Like · 11 people
James Newburrie Wow, Jo! Wow! Well said!
3 hours ago · Like · 4 people
Helen Stitt Yes, great work Doug. We all appreciate your activism on this issue.
3 hours ago · Like · 2 people
Rodney Chiang-Cruise Doug. It was your activism on this issue that inspired me to write quite a few letters to the directors of BB. I am sur I wasn't the only one. And to what Jo said - spot on!!!!
2 hours ago · Like · 2 people
Nicholas Waters Thanks for your stifling work! Btw... Where do I find a good man?
2 hours ago · Like
Nicholas Waters I meant 'stirling' .... Fricken auto correct!!
2 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Helen Stitt James Newburrie, the same applies to you. Your Mt Isa Rally made September for me. You're doing fantastic work for the LGBTI community in Australia.
2 hours ago · Like · 1 person
