The ABC’s Media Watch has broadcast a segment dealing with the Press Council adjudication on the Daily Telegraph article “Chain gang chokes city” published November 25, 2006.

This adjudication was made on the print copy, which differed greatly to the online version.

• Scan of print article here.
• Compare to online article: Chain gang chokes city.

Press Council Adjudication No. 1344 (adjudicated February 2007)

The Australian Press Council has upheld a complaint by Mark Robinson about a report in the Daily Telegraph in which 1000 bicyclists on a Sydney protest ride, which blocked city peak-hour traffic for an hour, were described as “selfish fools”. The mobile phone number of the ride organiser was published in a headline so that motorists could complain to him personally. (more in link)

Daily Telegraph Editorial: Press Council defends cycling’s selfish traffic fools (17 February 2007)

On November 25 last year, The Daily Telegraph published a report about the antics of an outfit calling itself Critical Mass, a group with which many Sydneysiders will be more familiar than they would wish to be. We did not flatter the group in our report.

For their decision to cause serious and unnecessary inconvenience to thousands of motorists by riding their bicycles across the Harbour Bridge in peak hour on Friday night, we called them “selfish fools”. And we gave readers the phone number of the Critical Mass spokesman so they could let him know what they felt about the bike ride. Quite a few readers took the opportunity, apparently, so that service was well received. (more in link)

Regardless of whether one’s opinion is pro or anti towards the Sydney Critical Mass rides, these two Daily Telegraph articles are certainly no excuse to publish anti-cyclist rhetoric that possibly could have unforeseen circumstances, be that a invasion of privacy or even indirectly leading to road violence towards bicycle riders.

The editorial comment of February 17 sadly illustrates how the Daily Telegraph has shown absolutely no respect towards the Press Councils ruling. Also the Anita Quigley article also published on November 25 “Disturbing cycle a critical mess“, included this more disturbing remark;

It has never occurred to me it might matter to drivers what a cyclist wears because, clothed or naked, with a helmet or not, all cyclists in the city are irritating and I find bring on an overwhelming desire to swerve towards.

On November 27th 2006, Wheels of Justice issued this media release: Say no to road violence as a direct reponse to Quigleys comments. As stated, Wheels of Justice believes that any subsequent remarks made by Anita Quigley do not constitute an adequate apology.

As newspaper publishers and media commentators, both the Daily Telegraph and Anita Quigley have responsibilities, which also include having a mature comprehension of what is acceptable to publish in the media. A possible incitement to violence as a result of difference of opinion is NOT acceptable in any context.