This is not journalism

[benjenbav]

Just read "The truth about Fairline" in the latest MBY.

Too late, too anecdotal. And, as for the comments about F/L's finances having been in a mess for a while; to be honest, verging on the smug.

Why not advise readers, potential buyers of the product, actual suppliers to the company before the administration?

Sure, anyone who cared could work it out for themselves. In which case why waste space in the magazine when, apart from picking over the bones, it's history?

Maybe it's not supposed to be journalism any more; just advertorial.

 

[Otter]

All new boats in the mag are impressive & innovative because they advertise in the mag; when the builder goes bust they can report the "news" without fear of loosing advertising. When was the last bit of investigative journalism in Time Inc's stable? You know, something to get everyone talking instead of rehashed articles.

 

[prv]

When was the last bit of investigative journalism in Time Inc's stable? You know, something to get everyone talking instead of rehashed articles.

The Yachting Monthly Crash Test Boat series I think deserves some respect. That was back in 2011 though.

Pete

 

[Montemar]

Speculating about a company's problems would only make them worse possibly terminal.
What about all the those employees, suppliers, distributors and customers that will be affected? It does not follow that a company would accept deposits for new sales or part payments dishonestly though that would be a risk.
Perhaps that is why less was said before the collapse.
I did not read the article but an analysis of what happened that presents a complete picture could be interesting.

 

[Truro Ex Pat]

I had a problem with an almost new boat and a hull issue and found that they did not want to look at the story which would have be very useful for others as it may impact on there advertising from the same company!
Conflict of interest but they ask us to pay for the magazine so they wonder why people no longer bother to buy it!

 

[benjenbav]

Speculating about a company's problems would only make them worse possibly terminal.

Well, there has been plenty of speculation not least on here for months. And the prospects for the company according to the article are that the administrators have stated that they will only look for a buyer as a going concern until 15/1/2016.

What about all the those employees, suppliers, distributors and customers that will be affected? It does not follow that a company would accept deposits for new sales or part payments dishonestly though that would be a risk.

There are plenty of employers and suppliers who have been prejudicially affected already. Some contribute to these forums.

I'm not aware of any suggestion of dishonesty in the acceptance of money or otherwise.

Perhaps that is why less was said before the collapse.

My point was simply that it isn't really journalism to keep schtum because of any perceived consequences of reporting.

I did not read the article but an analysis of what happened that presents a complete picture could be interesting.

I'm sure it would be!

 

[Montemar]

Well, there has been plenty of speculation not least on here for months. And the prospects for the company according to the article are that the administrators have stated that they will only look for a buyer as a going concern until 15/1/2016.



There are plenty of employers and suppliers who have been prejudicially affected already. Some contribute to these forums.

I'm not aware of any suggestion of dishonesty in the acceptance of money or otherwise.



My point was simply that it isn't really journalism to keep schtum because of any perceived consequences of reporting.



I'm sure it would be!

I completely see your point which is what makes it, for me anyway, a bit of a conundrum.

 

[petem]

The article looks OK to me and pretty much sums up my understanding of the sequence of events.

I suspect that I remain one of the few people who still believe that WB had every intention of making a go of running the business. Whether this was realistic is another matter.

I'd be interested to know which bits the OP regards as speculation.

 

[benjenbav]

I'm not sure I mentioned speculation at all except in the context of there having been plenty on here over the last few months.

What I was trying to say was that I would have hoped the fourth estate would do more than tell us very little and that only after the company had gone into administration.

A secondary point which I did not previously make is that, if it's the case that it was simply the publishing timetable of a monthly publication that meant that any news element was always going to be rendered obsolete by the pace of events, then maybe it's a sign that monthlies have had their day, now that we all expect rolling news and instant analysis.

The same thing is, in fairness, happening with newspapers, of course. 10 years ago I would guess I got half of my news from a paper version of the Times. Today, if I look at the papers at all it is for op-ed stuff, the news having been absorbed over the previous 24 hours online or on air.

 

[Red]

Yes, one of the best written features to appear in magazines, and unbeaten......the YM Crash Boat Test

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

What I was trying to say was that I would have hoped the fourth estate would do more than tell us very little and that only after the company had gone into administration.

For me it was the previous Truth about Fairline a few months ago that was the journalistic travesty. Yup this one was a bit late in the day but at least it reflected the current situation reasonably accurately. I enjoy MBY (and MBM when it was in existence) but you have to read everything in magazines like this in the context of them not wanting to upset current or potential advertisers. Can't blame for that to be honest