Channel 7 - Gay bashing homophobes?

[Sebastiaan56]

For those who dont know we had a Minister resign yesterday ostensibly for being "outed" by a Channel 7 reporter. He was stalked by the media and filmed leaving a gay club in Sydney's east. From what I can tell he has done nothing more immoral than express his sexuality and any fallout belongs between he and his wife. Maybe if he resigned because of her current fight with cancer he would have been portrayed as honorable. Here is the SMH's take David Campbell|Channel Seven (http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/manufactured-scandal-leaves-another-political-career-in-tatters-20100521-vzzq.html) but what do people think? Can someone do a job even if they are gay or is Channel 7 inhabited by gay bashing homophobes?

[tea lady]

:C Really? That is so sad. I try not to watch channel seven. If I do I spend most of my time saying "They've got to be kidding." And then the adds come on and I get so annoyed it turn the telly off.

It is very sad that someone has been forced too confront a situation by channel seven;s self serving reporting. They prolly go on about how he "shouldn't be doing this". But its just not fair that his life is ruined by it. Everyone takes their own journey in their own time. I surely would have made no difference to him doing his job. Being gay is no crime. Living a lie with the wife prolly isn't a crime either. Just painful for all concerned.:C

[Groggy]

Remarkable how insecure and immature some people are. That report is disgraceful and should be reviewed by the media ombudsman.

[notenoughtoys]

yeah, I'm not a fan of David Campbell but channel 7 just destroyed his life. There's no reason to do what they did, how is his seriously ill wife coping with that. Funny thing is the talkback radio I was listening to this afternoon is usually full of rednecks and even they were saying it was over the top.

Bob on the soapbox :U

[Big Shed]

Whilst I agree that this sort of "gutter journalism" is in pretty poor taste, I would like to point out that Mr Campbell voluntarily placed himself in a position to have his "private" life exposed like this.

It shows an appalling lack of judgment, and one would have to wonder whether a man with such poor judgment should be a minister of the crown.

I won't even go in to the morality of an act like this when he has a seriously ill wife at home, whether he visits a "gay" or straight sex club/brothel is really totally irrelevant to this.

[Ekim]

Using a Government car when visiting the gay bar was the issue, not the visit itself.

A similar situation occurred in Perth when a Minister was sacked for using a Government car to carry out an affair with another politician. The unauthorized use of a tax payer funded asset was the issue, not the affair (although in this case, the former Minister was a serial offender).


Mike

[Big Shed]

Not according to this report

Why did David Campbell resign? - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/21/2906180.htm)

[watson]

I need a "tongue in cheek smiley" here.

Thank Dog he's not an AFL footballer.

[wheelinround]

200k round trip from/to home, thats not what I call fair use of a tax payer funded car. On top of that if he's been drinking, then he as Transport Minister is then driving while under the influence. Something we would be booked for. So has he been using his position to avoid fines etc. :?

[AlexS]

I think Campbell was a pretty ordinary minister, but channel have once again failed to ascend to rock bottom in their reporting.
The only issue that I can see is whether he was vulnerable to blackmail or coercion in his former positions of police minister and Police Integrity Commission member.
Interesting question is how did 7 get the tip-off to follow him. Word is there was a big argument in his office that afternoon. Did a less than gruntled staffer drop him in it?

[Groggy]

... channel have once again failed to ascend to rock bottom in their reporting...They set an exceedingly low standard and consistently fail to achieve it. :(

[Sebastiaan56]

Whilst I agree that this sort of "gutter journalism" is in pretty poor taste, I would like to point out that Mr Campbell voluntarily placed himself in a position to have his "private" life exposed like this.

It shows an appalling lack of judgment, and one would have to wonder whether a man with such poor judgment should be a minister of the crown.

I won't even go in to the morality of an act like this when he has a seriously ill wife at home, whether he visits a "gay" or straight sex club/brothel is really totally irrelevant to this.

I think he was stalked by a self aggrandising journo and as a pollie there are always plenty out there to bring them down. A risk of the profession I agree. He would not be the first or last to seek company outside his marriage. BTW there is no indication he had sex there...... Its the same as going to the pub for a beer with a mate. That is the insidious nature of the publicity. According to the Premiers interview on the radio today he has been aware of his sexuality for at least 20 years. Unfortunately our pollies dont have a private life anymore and any gutter dwelling journo can publish what they want. Imagine the headlines "Bronwyn Bishop has sex, with husband in bedroom" or "Julia Gillard didnt get any last night". Unfortunately thats where its going, and that is my objection to the whole business. Gutter journalism at its absolute worst. When the media decides what pollies (or anyone else's for that matter) morality should be, I object.

Wheelin, he gets driven. Ministers have that privilege in NSW

Alex, the Premier has denied accusations of blackmail

[jimbur]

What's the next big story - perhaps, "Minister uses floral toilet paper!"
The only answer to such a garbage station is to keep it turned off. The advertisers will eventually get the message.
Jim

[graemet]

What's the next big story - perhaps, "Minister uses floral toilet paper!"
The only answer to such a garbage station is to keep it turned off. The advertisers will eventually get the message.
Jim
Yeah, but Channel 9 are only p'd off because they didn't get the story first. Both the big commercial channels are continually dragging up muck against the other while 10 is generally in the puerile stakes as well, and the ABC sound is hard to hear over the scream of grinding axes.
I'm just going down to the shed!
Cheers
Graeme

[wheelinround]

I think he was stalked by a self aggrandising journo and as a pollie there are always plenty out there to bring them down. A risk of the profession I agree. He would not be the first or last to seek company outside his marriage. BTW there is no indication he had sex there...... Its the same as going to the pub for a beer with a mate. That is the insidious nature of the publicity. According to the Premiers interview on the radio today he has been aware of his sexuality for at least 20 years. Unfortunately our pollies dont have a private life anymore and any gutter dwelling journo can publish what they want. Imagine the headlines "Bronwyn Bishop has sex, with husband in bedroom" or "Julia Gillard didnt get any last night". Unfortunately thats where its going, and that is my objection to the whole business. Gutter journalism at its absolute worst. When the media decides what pollies (or anyone else's for that matter) morality should be, I object.

Wheelin, he gets driven. Ministers have that privilege in NSW

Alex, the Premier has denied accusations of blackmail

Sab by all accounts he has been driving himself there in this particular case. Now if he has been driven there imagine the OT the diver is getting paid for the hours. This being for personal pleasure sorry thats abuse of privalidge, no different to a member being driven to a brothel.

Will it come to light he has been there when he should have been in Parliment.:rolleyes:

Trouble is Gillard's story will be very different.

[ajw]

I'm no fan of his performance as a Minister either, but I think the journo went too far with this.

From what I remember, the journo in question was once employed as a senior adviser by one of our previous Premiers in NSW parliament, and got the boot when the Premier got rolled. Could it be that he has some scores to settle?

The sooner the election comes the better. I think this governement is a national embarrassment. Radio news this morning is reporting that our current Premier was blocked from appointing her choice to the transport ministry by the back-room boys. This will only strengthen the "puppet Premier" tag she's been labelled with.

ajw

[Calm]

Yes i think it is outrageous - the way we allow the media to run this country and most things in our lives - Laury Oaks changes governments & policy yet not one of us ever voted for him or any of his cronies.

NOTE - who voted to change my signature by the way

BLOODY LAURY OAKS again??:((:((:?:?

cheers :D:D:D

[wheelinround]

Its amazing a Politician is outed and has to resign,. Why because he's been lying to his family, freinds :? Yyet how many performing artists actors, muso's sports men and women gain from outing themsleves.

Kenneally can't discriminate against him its Government Policy and the court action would be his win an early pension for life on top of his parlimentry pension. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The hands of the Puppater/s should be cut off especially the ones operating Obed and Tripodi.:((:((:((

[FRB Design]

Wonders what people would think if this guy was married to one of your daughters?

[Woodwould]

The deception and misuse of tax payers' funds aside for a moment, why has the media gone down this path? Because the public, on the whole, lap it up. It makes for good coffee break discussion.

I don't buy newspapers, but if I did, I would boycot any paper that published such tripe on the following day (and the same for any TV channel) as a protest. If everyone who resents the way the media has headed were to subscribe to this course of action, maybe we could turn the standards about and get some pride and decency back.

[Calm]

Wonders what people would think if this guy was married to one of your daughters?

Well as a matter of fact my daughters boyfriend (NOW EX BOYFRIEND) was found to be having it off with one of his female workmates - my advice was to pi$$ him off, which she did

- we didn't ask or expect him to be sacked from his job and be publicly exposed and ridiculed for his actions/preferences - yep he is a school teacher so do you think that his morals are below a suitable standard to teach your kids??


so in answer to your question i still think it was uncalled for and unjust.- its a private family matter

cheers david

[jimbur]

Wonders what people would think if this guy was married to one of your daughters?

So despite her family problems she would have to put up with the scum from the media wanting her comments or even wanting to buy the story of her life in the bedroom - and don't forget the kids.
Jim

[FRB Design]

Well as a matter of fact my daughters boyfriend (NOW EX BOYFRIEND) was found to be having it off with one of his female workmates - my advice was to pi$$ him off, which she did

- we didn't ask or expect him to be sacked from his job and be publicly exposed and ridiculed for his actions/preferences - yep he is a school teacher so do you think that his morals are below a suitable standard to teach your kids??


so in answer to your question i still think it was uncalled for and unjust.- its a private family matter

cheers david


AND NIETHER DID SHE, BUT LOOK WHAT HE HAS BROUHT ON THIS FAMILY!
Highly profiled figure in society and he got busted, he put them in the position they are in now and he new the consequences and he still did it.

[jimbur]

Oh damn, we just lost the battle of Trafalgar. Channel Seven found out that Nelson was playing away from home with Lady Hamilton and he got sacked by the Admiralty.:D

[acmegridley]

Feathering his nest beautifully wasn't he, 2 home units in Potts Point,home in Woonona,nice work if you can get it.Bit like his companion in Parliament from the same area who was sacked for drunken behaviour at an office party,he has fourteen houses ,yes thats right FOURTEEN HOUSES all in different parts of Australia.We're in the wrong game us mugs arent we? :((

[TermiMonster]

Some would say, we get the media we deserve, just like we get the politicians we deserve. (if you don't like it, tune out, or run for parliament yourself, if you think you have the answers)
TM

[Sebastiaan56]

Some would say, we get the media we deserve, just like we get the politicians we deserve. (if you don't like it, tune out, or run for parliament yourself, if you think you have the answers)
TM

Great point. An old adage for those who work in local politics "you campaign for a friend but you end up with a politician" I think Peter Garrett is the perfect example of being crushed by the machine.

[jimbur]

Feathering his nest beautifully wasn't he, 2 home units in Potts Point,home in Woonona,nice work if you can get it.Bit like his companion in Parliament from the same area who was sacked for drunken behaviour at an office party,he has fourteen houses ,yes thats right FOURTEEN HOUSES all in different parts of Australia.We're in the wrong game us mugs arent we? :((

I don't think I'll comment any more in this thread as the above is too far from the original theme.
Jim

[Frank&Earnest]

Oh damn, we just lost the battle of Trafalgar. Channel Seven found out that Nelson was playing away from home with Lady Hamilton and he got sacked by the Admiralty.:D

You and Calm talk about loyalty in an eterosexual relationship, which does not seem to be the case here. Did Lady Hamilton know about the cabin boys? :D

(Just to entice you to continue this profound, thoughtful interaction of great minds. :D)

[Calm]

You and Calm talk about loyalty in an eterosexual relationship, which does not seem to be the case here. Did Lady Hamilton know about the cabin boys? :D

(Just to entice you to continue this profound, thoughtful interaction of great minds. :D)

WRONG - i don't talk about that at all - what i say is the press has no right to get involved in private family stuff and ruin a blokes life/career because he chooses to go to a gay bar - we have no confirmation of his sexuality - and that is not important either

cheers.

[Geoff Dean]

My personal view is that media personnel of this ilk, and I place A Current Affair and Today Tonight in this category also, are one rung below pedophiles on the sleeze-o-meter.

They are the lowest form of bottom feeders around. :((

[artme]

Interesting discussion, red herrings aside.
It appears from the comments so far that most of us are disgusted with the quality of both sets of people that have a massive influence on our lives -politicians and the media. Neither seem to be doing the job we expect them to do.

It is also interesting to note the general tenor of this discuusion with regard to attitudes towards sexual preferences. I wonder how many thought the way they do now 30, or even 20, years ago.

[Calm]

Interesting discussion, red herrings aside.
It appears from the comments so far that most of us are disgusted with the quality of both sets of people that have a massive influence on our lives -politicians and the media. Neither seem to be doing the job we expect them to do.

It is also interesting to note the general tenor of this discuusion with regard to attitudes towards sexual preferences. I wonder how many thought the way they do now 30, or even 20, years ago.

I have only stated my opinion on the unfair treatment received not my opinion of his sexuality or sexual preference.

That would probably get my post deleted ..........again.

Cheers

David

[watson]

Of Course :duh:

[artme]

Seems to me that, even if only tangentially, much of this does come down to a matter of a change in attitude towards sexual prefferences.

I can imagine that 20 years ago most would have stood on the sidelines and cheered at the fellow's sacking, because of his sexual proclivity.

[Frank&Earnest]

Seems to me that, even if only tangentially, much of this does come down to a matter of a change in attitude towards sexual prefferences.

I can imagine that 20 years ago most would have stood on the sidelines and cheered at the fellow's sacking, because of his sexual proclivity.

Bigots are bigots, in any time. The non-bigots look at the matter from the point of view of whether a person living a double life meets the standard of trustwortiness that one would expect from a husband, father or elected representative. Whatever the reason for the dishonesty.

[artme]

True Frank, true. i think the point here though is that , intentionally or not, the message coming across from 7 ( and others) is that it is the man's sexual preference that has been used to determine his worth.

[Spanner69]

I would like to say well done to 99% of you for staying 'on-topic'.

I think that even though there were posabilites of blackmail etc making him suseptible I think the media was very low in their morals themselves.

The funny thing is that mo

[two fingers]

I love my teva. I bank lots of shows worth watching - about 99% produced somewhere else in the world. Then watch them instead of the garbage and I can blast through the commercials that come on every 8 mins.