An Opposition media tactic to provide journalists with "suggested" scripts to introduce audio grabs from LNP MPs has raised both eyebrows and questions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Radio journalists received an email on Wednesday afternoon with a short audio grab from LNP Leader Lawrence Springborg's speech in Parliament earlier that day, along with a "suggested introduction" in italics, from the Opposition media team.
"The state government has given the Labor Government a new title," the suggested introduction read.
"The Government last night accepted the parliamentary vote of the disgraced member for Cook, Billy Gordon, who's under investigation for alleged domestic violence.
"Lawrence Springborg says that makes it the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government."
Not all radio reporters in the Parliamentary Media Gallery received the email; the Fairfax Radio reporter did, while the ABC radio reporter did not, while other mediums were also left off.
It is standard practice for media teams, on all sides of politics to send out audio to newsrooms from press conferences to journalists, particularly those in regional areas who were unable to make it in person.
The audio is considered on merit. Often, the audio is accompanied by a press release with how the media team would like that audio framed. But it is unusual for scripts to be sent with the audio, as a cut and paste exercise.
Fairfax Radio journalist Nick Wiggins told 4BC he considered it a "curious step".
"We are all under a bit of strain in the media these days, but we have time to write our own stories."
It is not the first time the LNP Opposition has sent out suggested scripts for radio reporters, but it is the first time it has been so explicitly set out as a "suggested script". Previously, scripts had been sent, but without the title, either just with asterisks.
"For your use, please find attached audio-grabs of Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek on the importance of the Premier securing more NDIS funding," one from April 14 read.
"Mr Langbroek said it is a concern the Premier seems more concerned about what people are saying about her than securing the much needed funding for Queenslanders," it continued in italics.
"The LNP provided bi-partisan support to the Premier yesterday to go to Canberra and get the funding Queenslanders deserve."
Other emails came without suggestions.
The previous Labor Opposition regularly sent out audio to all reporters, but shied away from suggesting words to lead into the grabs.
But it did provide Labor MPs with their joke for the afternoon, with several asking reporters if the "LNP has told you what to write for your story tomorrow, yet?".
The LNP declined to comment on the strategy, allowing reporters to fill in the blanks themselves.
