Veteran Journalists Reflect on Careers and Impact at Sydney Morning Herald
This article features reflections from two long-serving journalists at The Sydney Morning Herald, highlighting the challenges and rewards of investigative reporting. Kate McClymont, the chief investigative reporter, recounts her emotional reaction to the imprisonment of corrupt NSW politician Edward Obeid in 2016. After seventeen years of investigating Obeid’s corrupt activities, including dodgy land deals and secret leases, McClymont faced lawsuits, threats, and public ridicule. Despite a previous defamation loss and intense personal attacks, she persisted, viewing journalism as a privilege that requires holding power to account. Meanwhile, political editor Peter Hartcher addresses the evolving role of newspapers in the digital age. Contrary to predictions of the industry's demise forty years ago, Hartcher argues that reputable newspapers like the Herald are more potent and indispensable than ever. He emphasizes their critical function as truth-tellers and community builders in an era marked by misinformation and social division. Together, these perspectives underscore the enduring value of rigorous journalism in maintaining societal integrity and accountability.
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Veteran Journalists Reflect on Careers and Impact at Sydney Morning Herald
This article features reflections from two long-serving journalists at The Sydney Morning Herald, highlighting the challenges and rewards of investigative reporting. Kate McClymont, the chief investigative reporter, recounts her emotional reaction to the imprisonment of corrupt NSW politician Edward Obeid in 2016. After seventeen years of investigating Obeid’s corrupt activities, including dodgy land deals and secret leases, McClymont faced lawsuits, threats, and public ridicule. Despite a previous defamation loss and intense personal attacks, she persisted, viewing journalism as a privilege that requires holding power to account. Meanwhile, political editor Peter Hartcher addresses the evolving role of newspapers in the digital age. Contrary to predictions of the industry's demise forty years ago, Hartcher argues that reputable newspapers like the Herald are more potent and indispensable than ever. He emphasizes their critical function as truth-tellers and community builders in an era marked by misinformation and social division. Together, these perspectives underscore the enduring value of rigorous journalism in maintaining societal integrity and accountability.
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