From: Alan Oakley Sent: Thursday, 15 May 2008 5:08 PM To: Joanne Puccini Subject: RE: Media watch query

Hi Joanne, Thanks for the inquiry. I never discuss why something is or isn't published, suffice to say it's called editing and it happens daily. I don't discuss the performance of individual journalists in a public forum; I find it more constructive to talk to them. I don't discuss how reporters are briefed for assignments; only they need to know. regards, Alan

From: Joanne Puccini Sent: Thursday, 15 May 2008 12:54 PM To: Alan Oakley; Sue Ritchie Subject: Media watch query

Alan Oakley Editor The Sydney Morning Herald

By email

15 May 2008

Dear Alan,

On Saturday May 10th, The Age published a lengthy "farewell" report by Fairfax's departing Middle East correspondent Ed O'Loughlin.

We understand that the same piece, albeit perhaps subbed somewhat differently, was due to be published in the Sydney Morning Herald's News Review section the same day. However, it did not appear and has not been published subsequently in the Herald.

- Could you tell us why you decided not to run this report in The Sydney Morning Herald?

There has been frequent criticism of Mr O’Loughlin’s reporting by some supporters of , who appear to believe that he is overly critical of Israel and the IDF, overly sympathetic to the Palestinian point of view, and insufficiently critical of Hamas. (For example, by Michael Danby MP; Mr Tzvi Fleischer, Editor-in-Chief of AIJAC’s Australia/Israel Review; and by AIJAC’s Jamie Hyams, to name a few.)

- Did these criticisms of his reporting by the so-called “Jewish/Israel lobby” in any way influence your decision not to run Ed O'Loughlin's final report? Shortly after the announcement of his appointment to replace Ed O’Loughlin as Fairfax’s -based Middle East correspondent, Jason Koutsoukis was reported by Jewish News as saying: “There's two sides to every story and I think we've got to tell both sides. Perhaps we've only been telling one side. That's been some of the concerns expressed to me by Jewish community leaders”.

Mr Koutsoukis was subsequently quoted by The Australian as saying: "I was not quoted accurately ... and it does not reflect my views."

- Does The Sydney Morning Herald stand by the work of Ed O’Loughlin during the five years he has reported for the paper from the Middle East? Has Jason Koutsoukis been given instructions to approach his job in any way differently to the way it was done by Ed O’Loughlin?

To meet our deadlines we would appreciate a response by 5pm on Friday May 17th

Thanks and regards

Jo Puccini Executive Producer Media Watch, ABC Television