PM’s office changes history, avoids embarrassment
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The Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon welcomed the election of Barack Obama in the great Tasmanian town of Launceston. “45 years ago Martin Luther King dreamed of an America where men and women will be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character,” the Prime Minister declared. “Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality.” Ah, true. Fine words. Except … a Crikey reader who saw the initial reports immediately after the press conference was sure Rudd said “25 years ago.” Which would put King’s famous speech in 1983, round about the time when Ronald Reagan was agreeing that the late Dr King should be honoured with a national public holiday. Rumours that Reagan thought it was to celebrate the day Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the Lincoln Memorial are wholly untrue. The transcript issued by the Prime Minister’s Office says “45 years ago.” As do local media reports … now. Except, there’s something a little odd. Google Rudd’s remarks and you can see that “25” appears to have originally been used by The Age and The Oz, but click through to the actual stories either 45 is used or the quote is omitted. Clearly some other people heard “25”. The Poms and AFP, for starters. Ah well, perhaps the Prime Minister misspoke, and that’s no sin. A bit naughty to change the transcript, however. But given Barack Obama wouldn’t have been overly impressed by an Australian Prime Minister who appeared not to know the basics about the man who was, until Wednesday, the most important African-American political figure in US history, a little hasty editing probably spared some blushes. |
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12 Comments
Jesus, this is a new low.
What a shame you didn’t make sure before publishing this comprehensive accusation! Your apology to the PM was well deserved!
Kevin Rudd CLEARLY stated ” twenty-five years ago” indeed. I heard it and knew instantly that it was wrong - and it is very difficult to misunderstand “25” versus “45”. Any transcripts that make it seem like “45” have been re-dubbed. Like the way they changed “Dallas” to “Vegas” in Dr Strangelove.
Maybe Kevin Rudd has a speach impediment or is it an Aussie drawl…..the local and global media is united on 25-years.
6 Nov 2008 … Foreign leaders were quick to congratulate Barack Obama - and to hail … He said: “Twenty-five years ago, Martin Luther King had a dream of …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/3386380/International-leaders-congratulate-Barack-Obama.html - Similar pages
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Check it out for yourselves - off the hook Bernard!
“Your correction is all we need to know what you are going at like a bull at a gate is in fact good faith accountability of Big Govt and that’s what the readership needs.”
bulls..t tom sloppy journalism is not acountability.
to Ianw and the rest you appear to be convincing yourselves of something. it is 45. it always was. play the video.
Jesus, Bernard made a mistake, corrected it and took responsibility for it.
What more can you ask for?
Classy BK, don’t fuck it up again
If you listen to the ABC video, Rudd clearly says “45” but it does sound a bit like “25”, enough that it’s no surprise some misheard it. PM and the rest of the media are off the hook, not me!
Kevin Rudd CLEARLY stated ” twenty-five years ago”…..the statement made me sit up ‘cos I was around in the black and white TV days to see the Dr. Martin Luther King speech…….delayed broadcast of course!
A link: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2411440.htm
The PM indeed says 45, although some hard of hearing journos heard 20 less. Apologies to the PMO.
Well you have to hand it to our Kev. President elect Obama phoned the PM this morning to thank him for his good wishes. That would seem to be the indication all is well in the relationship between the two. I have a sneeky feeling these two leaders are going to get on very very well. While there is no doubting the new Presidents brilliant mind, Mr Rudd is a pretty good second. I suspect there will be a mutual appreciation club and our man will be a member.
That’s great Bernard. Your correction is all we need to know what you are going at like a bull at a gate is in fact good faith accountability of Big Govt and that’s what the readership needs.
Call it a Gilchrist ‘I walked’ moment.
Similarly liked that guy in the NT putting a correction in about a humble $200K from the intervention funds for the pool.
Similarly liked Chris Graham making his little alteration of some kind.
It’s all to the good and shows this 5th estate blog thing has got some moral cred.
and you went at it like a bull at a gate. engage brain them mouth