Ethics and (New) media
2009.09.01

Some years ago I already stated following quote:
If pilots would work with the same attitude as journalists I would rain crashing aircraft the whole day.

Yesterday was again a perfect example.
A new internet newspaper brought the message about a German drunken pilot.
Without checking.......a person (journalist) placed a picture from me in my aircraft and placed it on top of the article. A wrong impression was given by this internet site.
Fortunately the chairman of my flying club made me aware of this article.
I did contact the manager of the internet paper to explain her the meaning of the words Ethics, Rights and Damage.
It was not easy to contact her because the phone number mentioned on the website was not in use. (Oops.........)

After some other attempts I got an editor on the phone and I kindly asked him to remove the picture straight away and place a rectification.
Within 5 minutes the job was done.

Now the waiting was for the answer of my mail to the manager.

Her name is Henriëtte Goor (Picture stolen without authorisation from Mrs. Goor\'s linkedin profile)©  unknown fotografer. 
Mrs. Goor is marketeer and works for the Volkskrant.
 (Publisher, manager en marketeer for online, mobile and narrowcasting)

My Mail in short style:
Like to talk to you about carefulness and ethics.
Your site caused a wrong impression which causes damage to me.
Please call me at my mobile number?

The answer from Mrs. Goor to my mail:
"Mr. Versteegh, I understood form the editor that the article has been removed. I assume the problem has been solved"

No Mrs. Goor, the problem has not yet been solved. 
Mrs. Goor should do what her mother tought her as little girl. 
When you do something wrong or you are responable for a mistake, you appologize. Appologize on behalf of her editors or journalist..
You use the magic word. 

Sorry. Just say sorry, we made a mistake, we appologize!

Rectification!

DAG is a Volkskrant production. A self proclaimed quality newspaper. :-)

I state again:
If pilots would work with the same attitude as journalists I would rain crashing aircraft the whole day.

Ach, and not calling back, or answering the way she did, .....obviously Mrs. Goor is still young and has a lot to learn.