Tasmanian Times, previously owned by independent editor Lindsay Tuffin, has been taken over by Green Party stalwart and political aspirant Alan Whykes.
Whykes has brought a new style to Tastimes that has not been welcomed by many former writers, contributors and readers.
Alan Whykes has stood as a candidate for the Tasmanian Greens in several elections including for Glenorchy City Council in 2014 and 2017 and the state government election in 2014. His editorial style is already biting on would-be contributors as he exhibits the tell-tale signs of Green Party dogma — Diversity YES, but not of opinion. To date there are not many contributing journalists, no comments, and the general view is that Tastimes of old is well and truly buried.
Former editor of Tasmanian Times (TT) Lindsay Tuffin was an extraordinary individual. In his 18-year stint at the helm of Tastimes, Lindsay allowed for a diversity of views from across the Tasmanian community but most importantly from marginalised voices: from activists, whistleblowers, party dissidents and members of community organisations. Lindsay ran stories that would often be picked up by other media and many journos told me over the years that Tasmanian Times would often be a source for their news. Political advisors frequently checked in on Tastimes. Lindsay Tuffin was a fierce advocate for freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
Lindsay consistently published articles from Women Speak Tasmania, much to the annoyance of many anti-women’s rights activists in the trans rights activists and Green Party membership. Lindsay understood what it meant to uphold the principles of the fourth estate.
Recently Women Speak Tasmania submitted two articles on children’s and women’s human rights in Tasmania, articles that conformed to the new Tastimes guidelines, only to have them rejected. The latter article ‘Hobart City Council alert to risks’, was submitted three times before we got a formal reply and rejection.
I wrote to Whykes, editor@tasmaniantimes.com, arguing my case: “It was hoped by so many independent thinkers, activists and writers, that any new editor for TT, would continue in a manner consistent with the ethos, courage and commitment that Lindsay Tuffin maintained for 18 years.”
Whykes’ rejection:
‘I make these points:
• your ‘article’ is unbalanced. We would take it into consideration if we have a writer working on this issue who would also bring in other points of view. Currently we don’t.
• Tas Times has never automatically published everything it receives. Nor do we now.
• I have made a commitment not to remove any articles from the archive which is why the Mardi Gras article is there. The new Tas focus is effective from now and is very important.
• publication in the past has no bearing on current editorial decisions.
• trying to ‘pull Lindsay’ on me again? Oh dear.
• I have not received any negative feedback about the editorial direction apart from you and Geoff Holloway. Can’t please everyone
• ranty activists whose modus operandi is to rant at everyone at every opportunity receive a certain kind of psychological affirmation from getting published in TT and elsewhere. Their dopamine hits however are not my concern as much as the need to publish a solid, fair, readable selection of good quality journalism about life in Tasmania. That’s what we’re doing. You’re not being censored, you’re being invited to collaborate in such a way that TT can garner a wide readership and be genuinely relevant to broad cross-section of Tasmanians and not the same 30 people whining about the same issues ad infinitum.
I repeat that you are welcome to submit material that is consistent with the guidelines.
Submission emails are on the Contact page.
I will not correspond further on this issue.’
Yet on Tastimes new contact page it states:
‘Tasmanian Times has always had an interest in making its contribution to the public record of life on the island. Organisations, political parties, unions, cultural bodies, movements and interest groups, government enterprises and programs, political candidates and so on are welcome to have their say.’
The contrast between Lindsay’s editorship and that of Whykes could not be more stark.
Lindsay’s motto was BALANCE IS APPEASEMENT. FAIRNESS IS TRUTH.
Whyke’s motto would appear to be ‘Tastimes — it’s the Green Party’s now so bugger off! (YOU RADFEMS!)’
By Isla MacGregor