CONTACT might be covering Invictus Games after all
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CONTACT – the Australian military magazine was informed it would not be allowed to cover the Invictus Games in Sydney – because it is not an appropriate media outlet.
Invictus Games Media Team wrote to CONTACT several weeks ago saying that because of the very high number of media-accreditation applications received, and to ensure that only appropriate media outlets have access to cover the games, CONTACT’s application was rejected.
Naturally, we appealed that decision.
But our appeal was formally rejected without elaboration.
With nothing left to lose, we started a fan-based campaign to draw attention to our plight. Politicians and Royalty were contacted (not just by me) – and (the earlier version of) this post stirred a lot of reader interest, feedback and even action.
And it may have worked. We were informed late on 9 October that our application would now be accepted, subject to security and background checks.
In the end, I did get my media accreditation. And I want to take this opportunity to again thank the dozens of people who went in to battle on my behalf on this issue – especially NSW Minister for Veterans’ Affairs David Elliott for his official intervention, which I believe got me over the line.
I hope David and all those other people still feel their lobbying and support was justified.
You can view the results of my Invictus Games coverage here.
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FILE PHOTO (top)(2010): Then Governor General Quentin Bryce chats with members of the ADF Paralympic Sports Program, including Private Liam Haven, blinded by an IED in Iraq.
Photo by Sergeant Brian Hartigan for ARMY Newspaper.
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What of the ill informed pillock that made the initial finding? How do I get their job? Obviously never have never served and as such should be ineligible for the position. Any idea why Invictus admin don’t have as a criteria to hire people who.have served?
Contact! based on their website, Army is running the inaugural Military International Drone Race Tournament (MIDRT) at Victoria Barracks Sydney, 18-20 October 2018, just before Invictus Games. Give them the coverage instead?
This should also help
https://www.ceoemail.com/uk-royalty.php
Hope this helps in came in from one of Peninsula veterans’ HUB friends
https://www.royalfoundation.com/contact-us/
Hey, it’s hard to believe that an organisation that is in a position to approve a media outlet for accreditation has no capacity to use language correctly. You should proof-read their reply and send it back, chastising them for the ignorance they display.
There are many of us who support your point, keep moving forward.
Thanks Chris. While I’d love to chastise them for their ignorant response, and their denial of accreditation, I have to be diplomatic for now – right up to the point when it’s too late to change their minds. After that, anything goes 😉
Thanks for being cross on my behalf.
Hi Brian,
Would love to send a gripe to the Invictus Games Media Mongrels on your behalf.
Folks, here are the two email addresses you need so that you may open fire ? also!
mediaaccreditation@invictusgames2018.org
media@invictusgames2018.org
My initial question (about their Media Team) was: “Who Made you god”!
Regards,
Hodgey
Arte et Marte.
Thank you Hodgey. Your support is much appreciated.
I am posting it on the Peninsula Veterans’HUB Facebook page today
Thanks Tony – much appreciated.
Are you certain the reply was constructed by an authorised person? It looks to me like it was sent from a Chinese source. If I was you I’d make personal contact with the head of that organisation otherwise it’s too easy for them to be negative in an email format or whatever. Best wishes.
This is NOT fair. I am a War Widow and I thought that Defence papers would be the FIRST to be allowed to cover the INVICTUS GAMES especially when it concern the DEFENCE members. CONTACT would report better about the competitors because they know what the competitors have been through and how committed they are!!**
Hi Lorraine. I’m pretty sure the Defence Newspaper will be there (and CONTACT is not an official Defence publication, even though I am still (technically) in the Army Reserve).
But everything else you said is spot on. CONTACT (and the Defence papers) are best well suited to covering this event from the competitors perspective, because we are uniform wearers too. The difference being, the official Defence papers will have to toe ‘the party line’ and report to an agenda – whereas CONTACT is independent.
And maybe CONTACT’s independence and focus on the athletes is actually what makes it ‘unsuitable media’ – because it was my intention to cover the games from the participants’ point of view, not the organisers!
Some ex members of the forces are in situations where they can’t easily access information distributed by Defence PR. Too often the “officially accredited” outlets prune content to fit into time slots or paper space. I’m emailing the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister. Hang in there Brian.
Thank you Ray – your support is much appreciated. And every offer of help is very much welcomed, especially if you have the means to reach that ‘high’.
What sh!ts me is their anachronistic view of what “appropriate media” is.
Reminds me of the praetorian guard of the mainstream media who smugly and arrogantly deride any media outlet who isn’t one of them (CNN, ABC, Fairfax, et al), then scratch their heads in genuine confusion when they look at their numbers and see an inexorable [and deserved] decline in their viewership because people are flocking to alternative outlets.
I’m certain an outlet like Contact would garner as much- if not greater- readership on a niche event like Invictus than any one of the dying mainstream media dinosaurs like the metro newspapers.
Judging from the appalling quality of the letter you received, my guess is Invictus’ media relations is staffed with interns or recent J-school graduates who know very little of the defence and military enthusiast community. And if I’m wrong about that, then God help them, and they should be asking for a refund on their Uni fees.
Bah. I’m grumpy on your behalf now 🙂
Thanks Mike. I feel my own grumpiness lifting a little just knowing that you (and others) a carrying some of it for me.
I cant think of a single rational reason why CONTACT would be denied accreditation. You have covered practically every aspect of life in the armed forces in the past, and have done so professionally and respectfully. I would love to read their definition of what constitutes an “appropriate media outlet”. There cannot be many more appropriate organizations than yours. This is an indefensible decision in my humble opinion
A breathtaking error of judgment by those concerned.
I very much appreciate your view Richard – and, of course, I agree with you.
From a few other comments I’ve received – including from some insiders who contacted me privately – it could be that ‘appropriate media’ is judged on reader numbers and dollar value rather than audience fit or subject-matter appropriateness. Pretty sad if true.
Sorry for the typos.
Typo 1. That covers the gives if = that covers the LIVES OF
Typo 2. Invites = INVICTUS
Typo 3. Get together to celebrate sorts = CELEBRATES SPORT
Again, am so angry, the fingers got ahead of the brain, and I hit send without double checking. Sorry about that. But the point remains the same, CONTACT SHOULD BE COVERING THE INVICTUS GAMES!! No ands, ifs, buts or maybes about that fact!!
My brain forgave you 😉
For a Military magazine, that covers the gives if all serving and non serving military to be denied access to cover the Invites Games, in my opinion, is ludicrous.!! You tell the stories of the ones who made it home.
They get together to celebrate sort and bring more awareness to the needs of ex service personal. Be it for Artificial limbs or Mental Health issues.
This is wrong on so many levels, I can’t think straight to type down what needs to be said.
But this one thing for sure needs to be said, You’ve allowed coverage of every other aspect of their lives. From training to competing. This media coverage by CONTACT should be allowed!!
Thank you very much Jennifer. Your support is very much appreciated.
Brian Hartigan
CONTACT Editor