STREETWISE SPONSORS APPALLED AT TROLL EMAIL

A GINGIN troll has gone out of their way to white ant StreetWise Media by contacting sponsors of the publication asking them to abandon support for the free Fremantle-based publication.
The anonymous bully is believed to be from Gingin as the email address is a combination of Cr Lincoln Stewart and resident Megan Kolbe, both of whom denied sending it.
StreetWise has been unable to trace the author of the offensive email and has referred it to IT experts who will report back shortly. They also will investigate a number of anonymous and fake profiles held by shire staff.
Sponsors received the email just a week after StreetWise reported on August 9 concerns over “the nature and volume of public commentary” directed at staff and council (https://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/gingin-shire-pulls-mental-health-card-to-cover-dysfunction/).
The email to major sponsor Scoop Property states: “I am writing anonymously as a concerned member of the community regarding your sponsorship of StreetWise Media and to ask whether you are aware of concerns about the nature of some of its recent articles and publications. I am not seeking to interfere with legitimate journalism or freedom of the press. However, I believe sponsors should be aware when articles and photographs published by a media organisation raise serious concerns about privacy, accuracy, fairness and the treatment of individuals.”
StreetWise suspects AI assisted the author to compile the email which also was sent to sponsor Port Jarrah Furniture the following day. Owners of both Scoop and Port Jarrah said they were appalled that someone anonymous would go out of their way to undermine a legitimate business that has published in print and online for the past 10 years.
The content of the email reflects a basic understanding of journalism and the role journalists play in the pursuit of news. Its intent is clear as no examples are provided of any specific articles that caused offence or personal harm to ‘concerned individuals’. It’s fiction.
“I am deliberately remaining anonymous because this correspondence concerns individuals who may already have experienced significant personal and professional consequences from the publication of material about them and I am likely to be subjected to the same treatment,” the troll writes.
The rest of the email alleges instances where StreetWise has published:
* articles containing statements affected individuals say are false or materially misleading
* photographs of staff and other individuals in connection with articles about their employment or private circumstances;
* photographs and information identifying people’s homes or private lives;
* personal information that appears to have little relevance to legitimate public interest reporting;
* information concerning individuals’ mental health or personal wellbeing.
“I therefore ask you, as a sponsor, to consider whether you are comfortable with your business being associated with journalism that may involve the publication of personal or sensitive information, photographs of private homes, employees and their families; and allegations or implications of wrongdoing where the factual basis is disputed or unclear.”
StreetWise will share the identity of the air thief as soon as they are identified.