Last week we showed you the complicated saga of a senior couple: Rupert and Dora Latchman, an elderly husband and wife living in the teeth of adversity: old age, abandonment, poverty, and many other issues. The story, as we told you, was complicated - far more than we thought when we first encountered the couple living in abject circumstances.
And while their situation demanded urgent intervention - and they got that - thankfully from the Department of Human Services - today a huffy press release from the Ministry of Human Development and the Council of Ageing spends 700 words scolding this newsroom us - for highlighting this desperate situation - and says little to nothing about the plight of abandoned seniors.
In a dolorous tone, the release sighs, "Our ministry decries the irresponsibility of Channel 7 who have time and time again in their quest for sensationalism ignored journalistic responsibility and ethical standards.(we) cannot remain silent on the unethical treatment of older persons in the broadcasting of these stories." End quote.
Here at 7news we're certainly open to criticism - but maintain that in this case - there were objective circumstances that required urgent intervention. The story was brought to our newsroom by a member of the community who asked us to get help. We did - and we're hopeful that the couple is in a better, more stable situation now.
