Censored: Trade Press Ignore ‘Droit de Response’ (Right of Reply) – until politely asked to do so!

Censored Media

 

 

 

We all know the trade press is biased in terms of pro-salmon farming reporting but surely even publications like The Fish Site still have to be abide by a media code of ethics which includes a droit de response (right of reply)?

 

Right of response

 

 

I just emailed Seafood Source following a one-sided article by Nicki Holmyard:

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 3:53 PM
Subject: One-sided story
To: <nickiholmyard@gmail.com>, <editor@seafoodsource.com>, Cliff White <cwhite@divcom.com>
 
Nicki,
 
Isn't Seafood Source governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
 
Every other trade press publication – except The Fish Site, Seafood Source and Salmon Business – contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
 
Here's the press statement I issued: Press statement on lawsuit vs Mowi 
 
Thanks,
 
Don

 

 

Seafood Source's article included Mowi's press release but no counter-point:

 

Seafood Source 12 Oct 2021 #1

Seafood Source 12 Oct 2021 #2

Seafood Source 12 Oct 2021 #3

 

 

Thankfully, the editor of Seafood Source immediately agreed to update the original article to at least include a quote in response to Mowi's press release:

 

From: Cliff White <CWhite@divcom.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 3:54 PM
Subject: RE: One-sided story
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Hi Don,

My apologies, I was on vacation last week and just got back into the office this morning. I will add in your statement to the piece now (we just published it around 2 minutes ago).

Cliff

 

 

 

Here's an excerpt of my statement added to the Seafood Source article:

 

Seafood Source 12 Oct 2021 #4 addiiton

 

 

 

Earlier today I emailed The Fish Site and Salmon Business (who both reported on Mowi's lawsuit without seeking a critical comment in reply:

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 2:18 PM
Subject: One-sided argument
To: <rob@hatch.blue>
Cc: <moritz@hatch.blue>
 
Rob,
 
Isn't The Fish Site governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
 
Every other trade press publication – except The Fish Site and Salmon Business – contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
 
I've already sent you my quote in reply to Mowi's press release which you covered in full – here it is again: Press statement on lawsuit vs Mowi 
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Subject: One-sided reporting in breach of journalistic code of ethics?
To: <post@salmonbusiness.com>

Isn't Salmon Business governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
 
Every other trade press publication – except The Fish Site, Seafood Business and Salmon Business – contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
 
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fish Site 8 Oct 2021
 
Fish Site 8 Oct 2021 #2
Fish Site 8 Oct 2021 #3
 
 
Here's Salmon Business's biased article which failed – until earlier this evening – to include any quote from myself or right of reply to Mowi's press statement:
 
 
Salmon Business 8 Oct 2021 # Photo
Salmon Business 8 Oct 2021 #1
 
Salmon Business 8 Oct 2021 #2
 
 
Salmon Business have now (as of 6pm on 12 October) added this sentence following my email complaining of a lack of journalistic ethics:
 
 
Salmon Business 8 Oct 2021 #2 updated to include statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
Journalistic Code of Ethics #1
 
 
 
 
The BBC reports that good, ethical practice includes "giving those criticised a ‘right of reply’":
 
 
Journalistic Code of Ethics #2
 
 
 
The 'Opportunity to Respond' or 'Right of Reply' is written into the OFCOM Broadcasting Code referenced by Channel 4:
 
 
Journalistic Code of Ethics #4
 
 
Journalistic Code of Ethics #3
 
 
 
The Guardian reported in 2005:
 
 
Journalistic Code of Ethics #5
 
 
 

 
 
 
Addendum:
 
From: Moritz Mueller <moritz@hatch.blue>
Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: One-sided argument
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Cc: Rob Fletcher <rob@hatch.blue>

Hi Don,

 
we are aware of your reply now and will see to it being reflected in the news piece – apologies for the delay, this was not intentional. 
 
Ocean sustainability, healthy and restorative farming practices are core part of the Fish Site’s coverage – I’m sure you will find that reflected on our site.
 
Best,
Moritz

Moritz Mueller | Managing Director |  www.thefishsite.com

LinkedIn | GER: +49 (01)174 172 4211 | US: (+1) 808 345 8593 | Skype: live:mueller_448
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fish Site added
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