AD: First of all, we’d really like to thank @brettmcarthy for speaking with the @aussiedemocrazy team at such a busy time!

AD: As the editor of a newspaper, do you ever struggle to fill an edition with news and opinion?

Never struggle to fill the newspaper it’s harder to decide what to leave out

AD: As the editor of a major paper, what are the challenges of deciding what goes in from a legal point of view?

Complicated defamation laws. Luckily we have great lawyers who sort most of that out for us.

AD: How do you find out what the community wants your newspaper to report on?

We do a lot of research. We also listen to our readers through letters, emails and phone calls.

AD: It’s near the election – do you have to be careful of bias when reporting on the campaign?

Yes but we try to be careful all the time. We are much more aware of it at the moment. We are trying to be fair.

AD: Does the election mean more work for newspaper staff? Does it have an effect on you?

A lot more work for our political reporters. The ones following the leaders are doing it tough but they’ll survive.

AD: Do people ever come to you not wanting stories run? How do you deal with that?

Yes all the time. I just judge the story on its merits. If it’s worth running we do. If not I politely decline.

AD: What kind of sources do your political reporters use – it is just material from the parties?

Not just the parties but a lot of material comes from them. Many other sources inside the public service and other areas.

AD: As an editor, do you see stuff about polticians that you’d like to run, but can’t?

I can’t really think of anything recently but it has happened in the past. We need to be able to prove it is true. Lawyers!

AD: What made you want to become the editor of a newspaper?

I started as a reporter straight from school. As I worked my way through the ranks I thought I’d enjoy the editor’s role.

AD: What are the skills that a good newspaper editor needs?

Ability to think about lots of different things at once. Good organisation, good people skills. Care about good journalism. Also need to be happy working strange hours.

AD:  Is there an ‘equal time’ rule in the media when covering the parties?

There is no rule but we’ve tried to do that during this campaign. I think we’ve got it mostly fair.

AD:  Do you think that print newspapers will be around in 10 years? Will that change things?

I think print will be around in 10 years but things will change. We will still deliver journalism but on different devices.

AD:  What are some of the hobbies you enjoy when you’re not editing the paper?

Lots of time with my kids. I’m a member of Cottesloe Surf Club and I’m into ocean swimming. Tennis and golf as well.

We thank Brett for his time and wish him the best during this final week and a half of the election!

AD: You’ve been following Julia Gillard around the country. Describe an average day on the campaign.

PV: An Average day starts with a 2330 – 0000 text message from Labor’s media handlers telling us what to do in the morning. It is usually something like this: “0755 meet at bus, checkout”.

That gives us an indication that we are moving to another city.

Our bus will leave with all the media aboard and we would be taken to the first job of the morning. This is often something like “a coffee with a constituent”. Where, after organising a solid Labor family and cafe owner, Ms Gillard will spend some time with this family sharing a light breakfast. All of this has been pre-organised by a group of Labor staffers known as “advancers”. A terrible word but it is indicative of what these people do. They reconnoiteur a day or more ahead for the leader and ensure they aren’t going to run into trouble.

From our first job, unless there is unexpected colour via a protester etc, we would move to the second job which by this stage it’s about mid-morning. This is often the policy announcement for the day and will be followed by a press conference where Ms Gillard would take “all comers” on a whole range of issues from the announcement through to Kevin Rudd and on to whether she had done drugs. These press conferences are shown live on TV and can go for up to an hour.

 If we are travelling to another city that day it is likely we are “done” for the day. We must file a myriad of media including photos, video, words etc in the little time we have before take off.

When we are at cruising altitude we are told where we are going – usually we have a pretty solid guess at this given the issues of the day, direction we’re flying etc…

AD: What is it like, working with a large group of other press? Is there competition to get the best shot/question?

PV: There is most certainly competition but largely amongst us “grunts” it is friendly competition. The competition is between networks not individuals in my experience. The major problem with packs is that it can be hard to “get in”, in other words to get close to the “talent”. The other problem, which we don’t always comment on, is that after a few days together we start to think alike. This is covered extensively in The Boys on the Bus, a fantastic account of journalism on the campaign written in the 70s.

AD: How do you file your stories? Do you use technology to get them to AAP quickly?

 I file my stories as quickly as possibly but accuracy is more important than speed. Technology has certainly speed up the process through live feeds of press conferences to any one who wants to watch them. Despite all the technology available, nothing beats picking up the phone and filing copy to my chief of staff directly.

A host of reporters are backing up the reporter on the road by watching the press conference from the bureau in Canberra and obviously in a pack the journalists discuss the main points coming from the conference.

 AD: What training and education did you complete to get your position with AAP?

PV: I completed a BA majoring in print journalism and minoring in politics through Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. From there I did a range of part-time work in regional media, culminating in a 12 month cadetship at the Rural Press owned Western Advocate.

I left there after 18 months and was employed by AAP here in Canberra.

AD: What’s the best part of your job? What is the worst?

PV: The best part is getting paid to write and hang out with people I would never have dreamed of meeting, let alone spending time with and becoming good friends with. The doyens of the press gallery, people like Michelle Grattan, Tony Wright, Mark Riley and Chris Uhlmann are real live people, not just journalists on your page or screen. They give a real damn about the many young people running around in the press gallery these days and they do mentor when they can.

 Then you also get to meet people who are part of history. I will always remember my first private conversation with John Howard – it was rudimentary and short but I had just spoken to a prime minister for the first time.

 The worst part is the shift work which I have been protected from of late. News does not break from 0900 to 1700hrs. Some of the biggest stories of our time have broken at difficult time. September 11 happened late in the Australian night and the rolling of Kevin Rudd started about 1900 one night and was all over by the time most of us woke.

AD: Do you have control of your stories once you’ve filed them?

 PV: Control is a difficult word. I like to think I never have too much control, I just report what has happened. I, like any journalist, have slipped up and gone too hard/easy in certain circumstances. Once I have filed a story I try to watch it be subbed via our computer system known as CyberNews. It allows me to talk with sub-editors etc as the story is moved toward publication. This isn’t possible when I’m on the road as in a campaign but generally editors will ring if they have concerns.

 Ultimate editors are editors and they have control/decision making power at the end of any debate about a story.

 AD: Who are some of your favourite politicians? Why?

 PV: I’m going to be dull and reach back in time because I’m not sure our current crop of politicians are overly interesting in historical terms. But obviously people like Hawke, Keating, Menzies and Howard are amongst the most interesting domestically. They are interesting because they actually changed things in significant ways – whether it be via tax system changes, major financial change, war time leadership etc.

AD: What are some words of advice would you give to anyone considering a journalism career?

Read books – books about anything and everything. Avoid the glut of journalism schools and do a cadetship in the bush.

@lin4thesenate Vikram has two questions. We’ll take them 1 at a time. What attracted you to the @greens, rather than the other parties? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Thanks Vikram! The @Greens are about the future, for people and the planet. The party’s values and mine are aligned. #ads

@lin4thesenate Vikram also asks: Why the Senate, why not the House of Representatives? Is there more power in one of the other? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy In the ACT, unlike Melbourne, the @Greens can’t make inroads in the HoR (this election), but can make a real difference in the Sen8 #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Vikram, did you know that ACT Senators (and those from the NT) take their seats immediately after the election? #ads

@Lin4theSenate So there’s no waiting time? The other Senators have to wait until July 2011, yes? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Yes. That’s right. Territory Sen8rs don’t have to wait until July 1. State Se8rs do. #ads

@lin4thesenate John asks: What are some of the things you would try to change upon becoming a Senator? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy stronger voice for the ACT, a better deal for low-income and vulnerable aussies and real climate action now. #ads

@aussiedemocrazy good question John – needs 2 tweet answer: better deal for asylum seekers, students and older australians #ads

@aussiedemocrazy (3rd tweet) listening to, working with and closing the gap for Indigenous Australia #ads

@lin4thesenate Ibrahim asks: How has becoming a candidate for political office changed your life? Are there more responsibilities? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Thanks Ibrahim. I’m busy meeting people in the community, but I used to work in the community sector, where I was pretty busy 2 #ads

@aussiedemocrazy If I’m elected, there will be many more responsibilities, but for now, my job is to listen and to engage with the ACT community #ads

 @lin4thesenate Christian asks: What are the qualifications required for becoming a candidate for Senator? Are there any prerequisites? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Thx Christian. I had to get preselected by the ACT @Greens. I can’t be bankrupt. I have to be Australian. Helps if…(1/2)

@aussiedemocrazy …you have a real desire represent your community, and contribute to Australian public life #ads

@lin4thesenate William asks: What did you do before becoming a candidate for political office? What made you go towards politics?

@aussiedemocrazy Ta Will. I ran UnitingCare Australia (ntl body for Australia’s largest community services network)… #ads (1/2)

@lin4thesenateWas president of @ACOSS. And I’ve worked in the public service. Politics because lots of our structures are unjust and need changing #ads 

@lin4thesenate Will also asks: How many other candidates are you running against? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Hi Will. Nominations close tomorrow, so we don’t know yet. The current contenders are Labor, Liberal, Dems and @Greens #ads

@lin4thesenate Chaz & Daniel ask: Do you have people on the campaign trail who advise you on what to say and do? #ads 

@aussiedemocrazy C+D, I’ve got a great campaign team (@simoncopland is my camp. mgr) who provide advice, support. But my words are my own. #ads

@lin4thesenate Chaz & Daniel also ask: Are there rules you have to follow if you are elected and have to vote on laws? #ads 

@aussiedemocrazy I discuss laws with my colleagues, talk with experts in the field, u/stand @Greens policy, but I decide how I vote. #ads 32 minutes ago via web in reply.  

@aussiedemocrazy I believe its critically important 4 pollies to say what they mean, speak themselves, and tell the truth. #ads (good Q c+d)

@lin4thesenate Mr Stuchbery interjecting: So @greens don’t force Senators to vote on a particular party line? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Nice question Mr. S. Robust debate in party room, and a shared set of values, but no forcing. #ads

@Lin4theSenate Mr Stuchbery says: Very interesting. Suspect not so much the norm in other parties. #ads

@lin4thesenate More from Chaz & Daniel: Is there a limit on how much you can spend advertising? Where does the money come from? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy no legal limit, but @Greens are very careful to only accept donations from ethical sources e.g no tobacco or alcohol co.s #ads

@aussiedemocrazy most @Greens donations come from individuals who share our view of a cleaner, fairer future #ads

@lin4thesenate Will asks: Are there any special areas you’d focus on as Senator? Do you have a jurisdiction over an area within party? #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Hi Will, portfolios won’t be decided until we know which @Greens are elected. I’m passion8 about many issues…#ads (1/2)

@aussiedemocrazy …especially poverty, social exclusion, justice for Indigenous Australia and climate action. #ads

@lin4thesenate Vikram again: Do you think that the @greens are becoming a greater force in politics? We mostly hear about Lab and Libs. #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Yes. The @Greens are Oz’s fastest growing political party. More than 1mil votes last Fed election. We r the 3rd 4ce #ads

@lin4thesenate Ok, Mr S here. The school bell has rung and the day is over. We’d like to thank you for your time. We wish you all the best…

@lin4thesenate …for the campaign and we hope that we’ll be able to talk to you as a Senator for the ACT in the coming months. @aussiedemocrazy Thank you. Gr8 that you are taking an interest in your future, and the pollies who will make decisions that affect you #ads

@aussiedemocrazy Thanks. I hope so too. Gotta fly too, off to more campaigning. #ads  

@lin4thesenate It’s been great using Twitter as an interview tool and we think it’s great you’re using it to reach out to the public!

Approximately eighty students were surveyed, across five classrooms.

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA LINK (Excel Format)

How often do you travel – have you ever been called to travel overseas with a politician?

In my former job as a reporter/producer with Channel 7 I travelled several times each year to follow politicians, including day trips with the Prime Minister around the country.

I’m yet to travel overseas with a politician – but when I was with Radio 2GB I flew to Bali to report on the sentencing of the Bali9 drug smugglers.

How much time do politicians usually allow you to spend with them? Do you often get time one-on-one?

When parliament sits we spend a lot of time interviewing politicians. Generally speaking the more powerful the politician, the less time you have to speak with them. I have only managed to interview Prime Ministers one-on-one on about three occasions – and each encounter was for less than five minutes.

Sometimes however I go out to dinner with a backbench MP.

Are there some questions that you are not allowed to ask?

Generally no. We ask most questions that come into our head – but we use common sense. Questions about politicians’ personal lives are generally not asked because they’re not relevant to our reporting.

What kind of training did you do to become a journalist – at university and afterwards?

Towards the end of High School I volunteered in community radio and did so throughout my University studies. I began a Communications degree and dropped out to take my first paid job at a country radio station. A couple of years later I completed my degree while working in the Press Gallery at Parliament House.

How do you file your stories, do you write them up and send them or do you do most of them to camera for broadcast?

In my current role I do most of my work with live crosses in a studio. I do write some stories which are either read out by a newsreader – or I record a voice over and have an editor cut pictures together to match the script in my story.

What are some of the stresses of being a political correspondent?

There is always pressure to be on top of everything that’s happening inside Parliament and around politics. Deadlines can be stressful, but the adrenalin of meeting them is also one of the satisfying parts of the job.

What are some funny situations you have found yourself in as a political journalist?

Many times I have been asked to “stake out” a politician, and trying to act inconspicuous can be difficult when security guards etc hassle you. Playing cricket with the Prime Minister when he hosted the Press Gallery for drinks is a moment that stands out.

Are you ever allowed to express your own opinions?

It’s rare and not really appropriate for a mainstream political reporter to express their personal opinion on a story – but occasionally during a live cross I’ll comment if I think something sounds absurd or funny.

What made you want to become a political correspondent?

I’d always held a strong interest in politics – my family moved to Canberra when I was in Primary School. Shortly after my school was closed by the local government and I then witnessed how a groundswell of angry parents and community groups could eventually help bring down the government. Ever since I have had a fascination with the political process.

Are there any particular politicians you like talking to?

Some politicians certainly have more character than others. Senators like Independent Nick Xenophon and Liberal Bill Heffernan are good to deal with, while Labor Minister Craig Emerson can provide some good laughs.

The question posed to the students was the following:

If you were granted the right to vote, and the election was held tomorrow, who would you vote for?

The students were given five options – the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, the Greens, Family First and ‘Other’, encompassing groups like the Democrats and independents. Four classes of boys and girls were surveyed, but some results were rejected on the grounds that the same students may have been asked twice. This is what we call a ‘learning experience’ – next time we will be allocating clear areas for group of students to poll!

Here’s what we got…

As you can see, the ALP are clearly in front with 38 votes. There could be a few reasons for this. The incumbency factor, meaning that sitting governments always have a slight favour in the polls, unless the government has been performing disastrously, could be having an effect. The fact that our school is located in the ‘very safe’ seat of Gellibrand in Melbourne’s West, a traditional Labor stronghold (or area of very strong support) may be another reason.  The Greens are running in second, with 4 votes, beating the Australian Liberal Party’s 3 votes. Could this bode well for their campaign in the adjoining seat of Melbourne? Family First and Other got one vote a piece.

We will be holding another poll next week, using the same question and adding a few more to get a general sense of what students are feeling about this election. We’d like your suggestions. What questions should we be asking in the next Aussie Democrazy Poll? Reply as a comment or use the #aussiedemocrazypoll hashtag. We’d also like to hear your response to the poll – what stands out to you?

]]> http://aussiedemocrazy.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/aussie-democrazy-release-their-first-poll/feed/ 17 mikestuchbery graph http://aussiedemocrazy.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/reaching-out/ http://aussiedemocrazy.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/reaching-out/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:51 +0000 Mike Stuchbery http://aussiedemocrazy.wordpress.com/?p=36 ]]> Today’s a big day! We’re starting our first outreach to politicians with some of our questions. We’ll be using the Rumble In The Jungle forum, created by Helix Digital as a springboard to ask some initial questions about politics and the work that politicians do. If you check late in the day, you should see that we’ve posted some of our questions. If you like the questions we’ve asked, vote them up by clicking on the green icon at the top right-hand side of the comment. Within the next week we should start to receive some of those answers and we’ll post them here on the blog.

As the campaign heats up, we’re very keen to talk to as many politicians and journalists as we can. If you are interested, please e-mail us at m.stuchbery@cccc.vic.edu.au or you can reach us through Twitter at @aussiedemocrazy.

Next week, hopefully, we’ll be featuring an interview with a candidate for the House of Representatives – Adam Bandt, the Greens candidate for the Federal Seat of Melbourne. It’s going to very exciting to talk to a political candidate about the experience of campaigning during an election!

Today, we’d like you to answer the following questions, to help us guide our research:

Who is your favourite political cartoonist?

What is your favorite political cartoon?

You can respond in a comment, or by replying to the @aussiedemocrazy Twitter account with the hashtag #politicalcartoons. Thanks for your help!