CANTERBURY will seek an apology from Channel Nine over the Mad Monday fiasco, it has been claimed by major sponsor Gary Johnston.
In a remarkable turn of events, the Jaycar Electronics boss claimed last night that the Bullldogs had uncovered no evidence that any players abused the network's reporter Jayne Azzopardi with obscene comments captured by a Nine camera and microphone while she was stationed outside Belmore Sports Ground following their grand final defeat to Melbourne.
Johnston was criticised heavily last week for his defence of the Bulldogs in the Herald and then on radio 2GB, and yesterday he responded to critics who had contacted him with an email explaining his position. In it he claims Canterbury will ask for an apology from Nine.
( Email below)
The email came as it was revealed that Bulldogs officials held talks with ARL Commission interim chief executive Shane Mattiske yesterday.
Club chief executive Todd Greenberg, chairman Ray Dib and coach Des Hasler met Mattiske at Rugby League Central. While the Bulldogs had prepared an interim report, it had also been agreed officials would meet Mattiske yesterday.
It is believed the Bulldogs provided additional information. Mattiske returned to work officially yesterday after being on annual leave.
The Bulldogs are yet to confirm publicly who made the remarks.
There has been speculation that at least one official was suspected, but the club has refused to comment on who the culprit or culprits were or if they have been identified.
''I think Channel Nine should definitely apologise for what they've done, as far as inflaming a lot of aggravation over what was very little evidence that there was any abusive conversation to the Channel Nine people,'' Johnston said when contacted last night.
''It could have been [directed to] someone inside the building, in fact that's the more likely explanation. ''Channel Nine were secretly recording that conversation without the knowledge of the people inside the building so it was Channel Nine' s conceit that assumed that they were talking to [her]. They had no evidence that that conversation was directed to someone on the outside of the building.
''They were stupid for going there in the first place when they weren't invited. Channel Nine are trying to drive something that wasn't there.''
In the letter Johnston writes: ''Canterbury are approaching Channel 9 to seek an apology for the way that Channel 9 has 'conveniently' interpreted this matter. I for one will be surprised if the Dogs get a reply'.''
Johnston also wrote that he was made aware of an audit compiled by a security expert who, he said, had examined, ''ALL of the Channel 9 footage and footage of internal video from the Belmore complex''. He said this had uncovered no evidence of players or staff inside Belmore directing abuse to anyone outside and that the story had been aired with ''nothing to back up Channel 9's assertion that conversation was directed to them''.
Johnston went on to describe apologies made last week by Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg and chairman Ray Dib - who delivered flowers to Azzopardi at Nine - as a ''kneejerk'' reaction.
Among the comments broadcast by Channel 9 were:
❏ ''S–- me off you dumb dog''; and
❏ ''I want to go and punch you in the face.''
Johnston said he was disappointed that his email had been leaked but stood by the information within it.
Nine news director Darren Wick last night told the Herald: ''Anything that Gary Johnston says is not helpful to the process that we're going through. I have a great deal of faith in Todd Greenberg and the Bulldogs management to resolve this issue.''
Greenberg did not return calls.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/sorry-but-you-owe-us-an-apology-20121008-279nd.html#ixzz28kBSqrZv
****
**Email
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gary-johnstons-email-explaining-his-position-20121008-279qb.html\
\
\
I am sending this form letter to you because of criticism directed to me as a result of an incident at Belmore Oval on Monday Oct 1.\
\
Whether your email to me was critical or supportive (thank you!) I am sending the same letter.\
\
The incident was triggered because Channel 9 saw fit to monitor a private function for the bulldogs. They were not invited. (Neither was I). The front gate was closed and guarded.\
\
Undeterred, they set themselves up in a public place across the road. Channel 7 were also there, along with others. Channel 9 also flew a helicopter over the site.
Advertisement\
\
Given the limited access, I’m not sure what the media hoped to achieve.\
\
At some point in the day a Channel 9 camera & sound recording device was pointed at an open window some 40-odd meters away. The sound recording device detected some conversation which when paired with the video of the window revealed no-one or no activity in the window. The audio quality of the sound was so poor that Channel 9 had to add subtitles to the audio to make it comprehensible.\
\
As a person associated with the Bulldogs (peripherally) I was asked by a Sydney Morning Herald reporter to comment. An article appeared in the SMH on Tuesday morning. I was asked by staff from the Ben Fordham radio show to be interviewed by him on Tuesday afternoon. I reluctantly agreed.\
\
At this stage Channel 9 had taken it upon themselves to ASSUME that the amplified conversation from the window was directed at them, specifically a female reporter, Jane Azzopardi.\
\
The reason I decided to talk to Ben was that I thought it might be an opportunity to present to the public via 2GB an alternative hypothesis that indeed has more credibility than the conceited speculation of Channel 9\. (Channel 7, with similar material, closed their site down & abandoned the exercise.)\
\
It was apparent from my opening conversation with Ben (Ben also works for Channel 9) that he simply wanted to demonise the Canterbury players for making such foul remarks to a female.\
\
I rather clumsily pointed out that there may have been an alternative explanation i.e. that the conversation was NOT directed out of the window, but to another party inside the complex. This does not make what was said acceptable – it is wrong & appalling. But it changes the complexion on the issue completely. Remember it is possible that the conversation may have been illegally obtained & that parties inside the building would have been unaware that they were being observed & their conversation recorded.\
\
The rather ugly statements, when analysed could be interpreted as being partly directed to a male as well.\
\
I then tried to communicate to Ben that if that was indeed the case, you can hear ugly statements like this directed at women in pubs all over Sydney. I made it clear that I was as disgusted as anyone by this, but it is a fact of life. Ben skilfully interpreted this as a supporting statement for this behaviour.\
\
A Canterbury official tried to calm the situation down by sending flowers to Azzopardi. This could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.\
\
The fact that a Canterbury official had a “knee jerk” reaction to apologise to Channel 9 is irrelevant. They instinctively apologise to anyone who criticises them!\
\
I am privy to an audit made by a security expert who has examined ALL of the Channel 9 footage and footage of internal video from the Belmore complex as well as other material. This report is to ultimately go to the NRL.\
\
He has concluded that there is almost nothing to back up Channel 9’s assertion that conversation was directed to them. Indeed, there is no corroborating video to identify any party who may have made the comments. (The footballers only represented a fraction of people at the function.)\
\
Canterbury RL Club are approaching Channel 9 to seek an apology for the way that Channel 9 has “conveniently” interpreted this matter. I for one will be surprised if the Dogs get a reply. I would also like to see the NSW Attorney Generals Dept look into breaches of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007, Section 4.\
\
As a person who is distressed where I see an injustice, I attempted to help clear the air on this matter.\
\
I have been abused, threatened & described as sexist dinosaur over this. Let me make this clear. I am abhorred by the immature thuggish behaviour that young men exhibit towards young women that routinely occurs in pubs & other places. Even Ben Fordham, acknowledged this (but the media selectively edit my comments).\
\
A prominent female Channel 9 staffer has even come out on the web supporting my right to say it like it is.\
\
Finally, some of you have threatened to withdraw your patronage of Jaycar stores. This will only hurt hard working staff who need their jobs.\
\
I personally don’t care whether you buy from us or not. I am financially independent. If you can’t see through a media beat up I don’t want you as a customer.\
\
I know that this letter will simply convince some of you that I am as bad as you feared. For those of you who now see that I was defending the rights of some young blokes to have a well earned day off without do-gooders sticking their noses in, I hope this explanation helps.\
\
Thank you for your interest\
\
Gary Johnston\
\
P.S. If you see my point why don’t you write to the Attorney Generals’ Dept and ask them to investigate Channel 9? The more the merrier.\
\
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gary-johnstons-email-explaining-his-position-20121008-279qb.html#ixzz28kCD0wA3**
\
\
Maybe he and the Parrot can share a few dwinkies and share war stories..... :laughing:
In a remarkable turn of events, the Jaycar Electronics boss claimed last night that the Bullldogs had uncovered no evidence that any players abused the network's reporter Jayne Azzopardi with obscene comments captured by a Nine camera and microphone while she was stationed outside Belmore Sports Ground following their grand final defeat to Melbourne.
Johnston was criticised heavily last week for his defence of the Bulldogs in the Herald and then on radio 2GB, and yesterday he responded to critics who had contacted him with an email explaining his position. In it he claims Canterbury will ask for an apology from Nine.
( Email below)
The email came as it was revealed that Bulldogs officials held talks with ARL Commission interim chief executive Shane Mattiske yesterday.
Club chief executive Todd Greenberg, chairman Ray Dib and coach Des Hasler met Mattiske at Rugby League Central. While the Bulldogs had prepared an interim report, it had also been agreed officials would meet Mattiske yesterday.
It is believed the Bulldogs provided additional information. Mattiske returned to work officially yesterday after being on annual leave.
The Bulldogs are yet to confirm publicly who made the remarks.
There has been speculation that at least one official was suspected, but the club has refused to comment on who the culprit or culprits were or if they have been identified.
''I think Channel Nine should definitely apologise for what they've done, as far as inflaming a lot of aggravation over what was very little evidence that there was any abusive conversation to the Channel Nine people,'' Johnston said when contacted last night.
''It could have been [directed to] someone inside the building, in fact that's the more likely explanation. ''Channel Nine were secretly recording that conversation without the knowledge of the people inside the building so it was Channel Nine' s conceit that assumed that they were talking to [her]. They had no evidence that that conversation was directed to someone on the outside of the building.
''They were stupid for going there in the first place when they weren't invited. Channel Nine are trying to drive something that wasn't there.''
In the letter Johnston writes: ''Canterbury are approaching Channel 9 to seek an apology for the way that Channel 9 has 'conveniently' interpreted this matter. I for one will be surprised if the Dogs get a reply'.''
Johnston also wrote that he was made aware of an audit compiled by a security expert who, he said, had examined, ''ALL of the Channel 9 footage and footage of internal video from the Belmore complex''. He said this had uncovered no evidence of players or staff inside Belmore directing abuse to anyone outside and that the story had been aired with ''nothing to back up Channel 9's assertion that conversation was directed to them''.
Johnston went on to describe apologies made last week by Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg and chairman Ray Dib - who delivered flowers to Azzopardi at Nine - as a ''kneejerk'' reaction.
Among the comments broadcast by Channel 9 were:
❏ ''S–- me off you dumb dog''; and
❏ ''I want to go and punch you in the face.''
Johnston said he was disappointed that his email had been leaked but stood by the information within it.
Nine news director Darren Wick last night told the Herald: ''Anything that Gary Johnston says is not helpful to the process that we're going through. I have a great deal of faith in Todd Greenberg and the Bulldogs management to resolve this issue.''
Greenberg did not return calls.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/sorry-but-you-owe-us-an-apology-20121008-279nd.html#ixzz28kBSqrZv
****
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gary-johnstons-email-explaining-his-position-20121008-279qb.html\
\
\
I am sending this form letter to you because of criticism directed to me as a result of an incident at Belmore Oval on Monday Oct 1.\
\
Whether your email to me was critical or supportive (thank you!) I am sending the same letter.\
\
The incident was triggered because Channel 9 saw fit to monitor a private function for the bulldogs. They were not invited. (Neither was I). The front gate was closed and guarded.\
\
Undeterred, they set themselves up in a public place across the road. Channel 7 were also there, along with others. Channel 9 also flew a helicopter over the site.
Advertisement\
\
Given the limited access, I’m not sure what the media hoped to achieve.\
\
At some point in the day a Channel 9 camera & sound recording device was pointed at an open window some 40-odd meters away. The sound recording device detected some conversation which when paired with the video of the window revealed no-one or no activity in the window. The audio quality of the sound was so poor that Channel 9 had to add subtitles to the audio to make it comprehensible.\
\
As a person associated with the Bulldogs (peripherally) I was asked by a Sydney Morning Herald reporter to comment. An article appeared in the SMH on Tuesday morning. I was asked by staff from the Ben Fordham radio show to be interviewed by him on Tuesday afternoon. I reluctantly agreed.\
\
At this stage Channel 9 had taken it upon themselves to ASSUME that the amplified conversation from the window was directed at them, specifically a female reporter, Jane Azzopardi.\
\
The reason I decided to talk to Ben was that I thought it might be an opportunity to present to the public via 2GB an alternative hypothesis that indeed has more credibility than the conceited speculation of Channel 9\. (Channel 7, with similar material, closed their site down & abandoned the exercise.)\
\
It was apparent from my opening conversation with Ben (Ben also works for Channel 9) that he simply wanted to demonise the Canterbury players for making such foul remarks to a female.\
\
I rather clumsily pointed out that there may have been an alternative explanation i.e. that the conversation was NOT directed out of the window, but to another party inside the complex. This does not make what was said acceptable – it is wrong & appalling. But it changes the complexion on the issue completely. Remember it is possible that the conversation may have been illegally obtained & that parties inside the building would have been unaware that they were being observed & their conversation recorded.\
\
The rather ugly statements, when analysed could be interpreted as being partly directed to a male as well.\
\
I then tried to communicate to Ben that if that was indeed the case, you can hear ugly statements like this directed at women in pubs all over Sydney. I made it clear that I was as disgusted as anyone by this, but it is a fact of life. Ben skilfully interpreted this as a supporting statement for this behaviour.\
\
A Canterbury official tried to calm the situation down by sending flowers to Azzopardi. This could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.\
\
The fact that a Canterbury official had a “knee jerk” reaction to apologise to Channel 9 is irrelevant. They instinctively apologise to anyone who criticises them!\
\
I am privy to an audit made by a security expert who has examined ALL of the Channel 9 footage and footage of internal video from the Belmore complex as well as other material. This report is to ultimately go to the NRL.\
\
He has concluded that there is almost nothing to back up Channel 9’s assertion that conversation was directed to them. Indeed, there is no corroborating video to identify any party who may have made the comments. (The footballers only represented a fraction of people at the function.)\
\
Canterbury RL Club are approaching Channel 9 to seek an apology for the way that Channel 9 has “conveniently” interpreted this matter. I for one will be surprised if the Dogs get a reply. I would also like to see the NSW Attorney Generals Dept look into breaches of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007, Section 4.\
\
As a person who is distressed where I see an injustice, I attempted to help clear the air on this matter.\
\
I have been abused, threatened & described as sexist dinosaur over this. Let me make this clear. I am abhorred by the immature thuggish behaviour that young men exhibit towards young women that routinely occurs in pubs & other places. Even Ben Fordham, acknowledged this (but the media selectively edit my comments).\
\
A prominent female Channel 9 staffer has even come out on the web supporting my right to say it like it is.\
\
Finally, some of you have threatened to withdraw your patronage of Jaycar stores. This will only hurt hard working staff who need their jobs.\
\
I personally don’t care whether you buy from us or not. I am financially independent. If you can’t see through a media beat up I don’t want you as a customer.\
\
I know that this letter will simply convince some of you that I am as bad as you feared. For those of you who now see that I was defending the rights of some young blokes to have a well earned day off without do-gooders sticking their noses in, I hope this explanation helps.\
\
Thank you for your interest\
\
Gary Johnston\
\
P.S. If you see my point why don’t you write to the Attorney Generals’ Dept and ask them to investigate Channel 9? The more the merrier.\
\
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gary-johnstons-email-explaining-his-position-20121008-279qb.html#ixzz28kCD0wA3**
\
\
Maybe he and the Parrot can share a few dwinkies and share war stories..... :laughing:
