“I’m trying to get you to comment on what he actually said, not what you think he said.”
In an extraordinary case of a politician playing the man not the ball, Labor Party Treasurer David Bradbury has attacked smoothfm’s Glenn Daniel, accusing him of bias in his questioning.
Discussing interest rates, Daniel got the treasurer’s comment that interest rate cuts are good for families, but then the treasurer went on to have a go at the opposition, saying, “It seems Mr Hockey and Mr Abbot now stand for higher interest rates.”
Nothing unusual there. It’s an election campaign and politicians always try and have a go at their opponents whenever they can.
But if Bradbury was looking for a free kick just because he was calling in to an fm music station on bulletin deadline, he was sadly mistaken.
Highly experienced news editor Glenn Daniel knew what was actually said by the opposition and corrected Bradbury on the point he had raised, and the treasurer hit back. The full audio has been replayed on 2GB.
Daniel: Woa, woa, what did he actually say yesterday that you pin that claim on.
Bradbury: He said interest rates should not be cut
Daniel: No, what he said was when interest rates come down its a sign the economy is not going well…
Bradbury: …Sorry, Glenn, are we having an argument here, am I on air? I’m just trying to work that out.
Daniel: No, I’m just putting the proposition to you that what he said was of the economy is not going well interest rates get cut.
Bradbury: Well they also have a pamphlet saying interest rates will be cut. There is a major contradiction here in their argument…
Daniel: David that’s obviously to right, what he said was… I’m trying to get you to comment on what he actually said, not what you think he said.”
Bradbury: Glenn are you a Liberal Party member?
Daniel: …you know the context of what he was saying, you’re trying to twist his comments into the coalition wants higher interest which you know is a nonsense.
Bradbury: What’s your surname Glenn?
Daniel: Daniel. Why
Bradbury: This is extraordinary. I’ve never experienced anything like this.
Daniel: David I’m just asking you a question
Bradbury: Well why don’t we go back to you asking the questions…
Daniel: Why do you think we’re in a position that interest rates may be cut?
He then answered that question. Glenn Daniel put another question to him and he answered it.
After Ray Hadley replayed the interview on 2GB, commenting that he thought Glenn Daniel conducted the interview politely and was just trying to get to the crux of the issue. “Glenn Daniel’s his name, he’s been around for a long time,” said Hadley.
Memo to Mr Bradbury: Glenn Daniel is a multi award winning radio journalist and news editor with decades of experience. If you google him you will find many references on radioinfo, including these tips for new journos:
A strong lead is most important, also “flow, tight writing and audio.” There should be a balance from hard to light news in a bulletin, with “Pace, Energy, Mistake-free presentation, Authority yet warmth.”
Glenn’s top tips for writing and editing high quality radio news are:
1. Write the way you speak.
2. Make the Lead the Lead.
3. Get the facts right.
4. Short simple paragraphs. Brevity=Impact…
Read more here from that report of some years ago, titled ‘A strong lead essential for well written radio news.’