Matthew Slade and the Cruise Ship

[Dissident]

Did anyone hear 5AA this morning, or read the associated articles in the Australian and I think, the 'tiser? Something about the Australian naming "Matthew Slade, Central Districts Footballer" as a person involved in the death of a woman on a cruise liner, in Sydney I think. Nothing to do with Matthew at all apparently which doesn't suprise me, but the fact they just go ahead and print this sort of stuff is wrong. Imagine him turning up to school this morning!

[Spiritof64]

Nice of you to bring it to our attention

[drebin]

It is an absolute disgrace that the papers - both the original journo and paper source - the Australian and the 'tiser (who have a habit of taking copy stories and not checking facts) can print a persons name along with inferred allegations without checking facts or actually naming the right person.

No doubt Slade and Centrals would be furious and I can hear the words "defamation" and "libel suit" being yelled at the paper and the journo concerned by Slade, his family and by the CDFC down the phone - if not by their lawyers. Who could blame them!.

I hope Slade sues for all it is worth - talk about unecessary "character assasination" based on the fact he shares the same christian name and surname with another person.

[Dissident]

It is an absolute disgrace that the papers - both the original journo and paper source - the Australian and the 'tiser (who have a habit of taking copy stories and not checking facts) can print a persons name along with inferred allegations without checking facts or actually naming the right person.

No doubt Slade and Centrals would be furious and I can hear the words "defamation" and "libel suit" being yelled at the paper and the journo concerned by Slade, his family and by the CDFC down the phone - if not by their lawyers. Who could blame them!.

I hope Slade sues for all it is worth - talk about unecessary "character assasination" based on the fact he shares the same christian name and surname with another person.

Agreed drebin. I mean, if they stopped at "Matthew Slade" it would have been ok - but mentioning the WRONG Matthew Slade, from Adelaide, playing for the Dogs etc - it's just wrong! Kris Grant was angry as hell this morning!

I found an article online on the SMH about it - before this article today -and there's a photo of the "group" - none of which even look like him!

[cennals05]

I saw the photo in the paper on either Saturday or Sunday and noticed that one of the guys was named Matthew Slade. It crossed my mind that an assumption could be made. But then I thought no one could be that stupid when the photo clearly shows it is not Matthew Slade from CDFC. I was wrong someone is that stupid. How hard is it to do some research.

I just listened back to what was said this morning on Fiveaa. The article is in the Australian today.

[mick]

Unfortunately journalistic standards have reached a very low level, this is a prime example. In my field I read articles written by "journalists" where it is obvious that they have not checked the facts or have been too lazy to do so. I wonder what editors do these days? they don't seem to edit anymore. I hope this young bloke is richly compensated for this discraceful treatment and slur on his reputation.

[Wedgie]

Ive got a bigger question, how come the same article didn't mention any names or clubs in my Advertiserd (delivered) but it was all mentioned in my workmates paper (also delivered)??

Did they decide that because of the legal ramifcations they'd take it out, or did they change their mind and put it in, Im not sure if my paper was an early or late version?

Only the last 3 paragraphs were different and the only noticable difference between the papers was one had a red banner on the front and the other had a black, all the same edition according to the little spiels on the front page.

[ORDoubleBlues]

It is an absolute disgrace that the papers - both the original journo and paper source - the Australian and the 'tiser (who have a habit of taking copy stories and not checking facts) can print a persons name along with inferred allegations without checking facts or actually naming the right person.

No doubt Slade and Centrals would be furious and I can hear the words "defamation" and "libel suit" being yelled at the paper and the journo concerned by Slade, his family and by the CDFC down the phone - if not by their lawyers. Who could blame them!.

I hope Slade sues for all it is worth - talk about unecessary "character assasination" based on the fact he shares the same christian name and surname with another person.

Agreed.
I put a post on the general discussion before I looked here.
I hope Mel Mansell is even more outraged by this than he was about the "terrible " treatment of his journalists at Raglans. It's not even in the same league.

[JessicaRabbit69]

An absolute, absolute disgrace. I'm sure Greg Griffin's already been on the phone to poor old Matthew Slade and Kris Grant. There's potential for a massive lawsuit out of this - and I mean massive. This could cause irreparable damage to his reputation (at least that's what a good lawyer would be telling the court).

As for it being different in different people's papers, my suspicion would be they realised the mistake and "pulled" it part way through the print run.

As Mel Mansell, a little birdie tells me he was heavily involved in the story running as it did the first time (with the incorrect reference to Matthew Slade).

[Grand Central]

The Australian's page 3 story on Thursday, March 16 by Jeremy Roberts identifies Bulldog rover Matthew Slade as one of eight men of interest in the death of a woman on a cruise in 2002.

The headline is "Footballer Named in cruise death inquiry" and starts with "Five-time South Australian Football League premiership player Matthew Slade is one of eight "persons of interest" named in the coronial inquest in Sydney examining the death of Brisbane mother-of-three Dianne Brimble in 2002".

Slade's picture is published, his football history is detailed and quotes are attributed to him.

My reckoning is that Jeremy Roberts did indeed speak to a Matthew Slade, the man known in connection with the cruise, but was negligent in properly identifying him and assumed that if he played football he must have played for Central District. If only he realised that despite playing in the 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 grand finals Slade was also preparing for the 2002 grand final, the same time the Pacific Sky cruise departed Sydney.

The damage to (Bulldog) Matthew Slade's reputation as a teacher, league footballer and role model to young football fans is a tragedy.

[drebin]

The expected $$$ he should receive in compensation should ease some of the hurt for him - nice little nest egg to invest for him.

[JessicaRabbit69]

Agree wholeheartedly, Grand Central. Hopefully this costs News Ltd a mint.

[spell_check]

Lucky for Slade he is not playing in the AFL and is not named Jason Akermanis or Ben Cousins, for that matter. (Presuming someone else of the same name is involved)

[Kevin]

Lazy journalism = big damages.

Disgraceful episode.

[jim5112]

A photo of the 8 persons of interest in the case can be found with the SMH report at

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/a-c ... 98613.html

[Jimmy]

this is a disgrace. Slade should take them to the cleaners.

no doubt no one will be fired tho!!!

[MatteeG]

[JessicaRabbit69]

no doubt no one will be fired tho!!!

Should be the editor ..... apparently he requested the extra (incorrect) info about Slade be highlighted.

[jim5112]

The journalist's email addres is mailto:robertsj@theaustralian.com.au if anyone wants to take this up with him. He told me that there is an apology in The Australian today.

[JessicaRabbit69]

The journalist's email addres is mailto:robertsj@theaustralian.com.au if anyone wants to take this up with him. He told me that there is an apology in The Australian today.

There was one in the Advertiser, too, on Page 2. But it's too late for apologies, I'm afraid. Methinks it's time for a bit of serious legal action ....