Enough is enough!

An open letter to the editor of the Herald Sun.

It would appear that certain items of 'news' get printed without asceretaining the facts. The item that appeared in your newspaper dated 17th May gives the impression that the Corby's are living the high life when in fact, the younger sister, Schapelle, is languishing in a 3rd world jail while the other is living and working in Bali to support her sister with food and clean water and other essentials. Unlike Australia, in Bali you have to pay for your accommodation and food in jail, unless you want to die from any of the diseases brought on by unhygenic handling and surroundings. Schapelle Corby's life is a living hell with sheer boredom brought about through no exercise facilities, no library, no tv, no mental stimulation and no rehabilitation systems in place.

Stories like yours, are creating an urban myth that does not stand up to scrutiny. Many Australians that I speak to are saying that "Enough is enough. She has paid the price. It is time for our government to bring her home." Internationally, people are writing to their newspapers and parliamentarians asking why the Australlian government does nothing for its citizens jailed in foreign countries by courts that refuse to admit evidence or use dodgy evidence. Why the Australian Government did not stand by their signed agreement with Indonesia to get a sample of marijuana for testing for place of origin. Ref:http://untreaty.un.org/unts/144078_158780/16/7/7481.pdf

There are many unanswered questions regarding the close AFP involvement with the Indonesian police, yet at no stage did they ask for a sample as required under this treaty. Schapelle Corby wrote to the Australian Consul who advised her that the Bali police refused to provide the AFP with a sample for testing. Why did the AFP not insist on getting a sample? Why was the evidence destroyed before her appeals were heard?

The truth is slowly emerging to the extent that the Australian media has been manipulated by the Australian government, past and present. As you are well aware, freedom of the press is a thing of the past when certain items have to be given approval by the PM's department before distribution.

By toeing the line, media such as yourselves are creating a situation where news reporters and media owners are being placed in the same category as dodgy used car salesmen. The pride that used to be exhibited by reporters is slowly being replaced by apathy as more and more 'news' is syndicated and used without further investigation to seek out the truth. Because of this, reporters are leaving the industry in droves.

It is time for you to start saying 'Enough is enough' and stand up for fair and honest reporting by your staff. It is time for editors to stand up to the media moguls and say 'Enough is enough, we want to be able to seek out and tell the truth'.

Regards
Neville Wright