Complaint dismissed by Press Council
April 04, 2007
Section: News
THE Australian Press Council has dismissed a complaint about a front-page article in the Kiama Independent of Wednesday 31 January.
The article, headlined "Rock bands blasted", with a subsequent headline on the continuation of the article on page two, "Too gothic for Kiama", concerned a rock concert featuring local youth bands held in a park on Australia Day.
Two local business owners and a councillor were quoted, citing complaints about excessive noise and aggressive behaviour causing a severe downturn in business. The suitability of the venue for such an event was questioned, as was the role of the council in the presentation.
The complainant, local resident Ursula Pearson, who stated she had no connection with the organisers or performers, described the article as "discriminatory, inaccurate and without facts" and as presenting "a one-sided view".
She also believed the headlines were inflammatory and discriminating and "sensationalised the story".
In its response, the newspaper defended its decision to make this a front-page article as this was "not the first time this annual concert by local bands has attracted criticism but this was the first time it was so strong with several willing to put their names to the comments".
It believed it would be clear to readers that the comments quoted were the opinions of the individuals named and that it had raised serious issues of public concern.
The article concluded with a statement from the concert organiser saying he had been unaware of any complaints at the time.
The next edition of the paper, the following Wednesday, carried a front-page article, "Bands backlash , Youth speaks out", which contained comments from a number of the concert participants.
On the same day, the newspaper also published eight letters on the issue. An editorial note stated that they had been "inundated with letters in support of the Rock in the Park concert".
The "Bands backlash" article also contained further comments from two of the people quoted in the original article.
The Press Council does not believe either the original article or its headlines breached its principles and, in any case, the newspaper provided prompt balance by publication of the second article and the letters.