Perhaps the most useful aspect of the arrest of George Speight may be if it prevents Australian and other international reporters from flocking to seek his views and allowing him to swagger on the world's tv screens.

He and his fellow-criminals have been encouraged to feel internationally important, allowed to pose as rebels against injustice and heroes protecting indigenous rights, while their real challenge has been to law and democratic process. They have been given a forum to develop this spurious story to obscure the grubby motives they and their shadowy backers really had.

One must ask, since when have we so solicitously sought the views of kidnappers, thieves, murderers and rapists (all crimes that have occurred during this episode), even as they commit their crimes? Well, there was one occasion not very long ago when a well-known Australian reporter phoned a crime scene during a police standoff. But he was deservedly condemned and censured for his outrageous behaviour.

Why has the obsessive pursuit and resultant lionising of Speight not received the same condemnation? Does journalistic "self-regulation" only apply when our nationals are personally affected? Do the citizens of other countries not deserve the same protection against irresponsible journalism by our nationals?

© August 2000 Rod Ewins & The Bulletin