We live in a country where lies and spew have become commonplace. From the government through the corporate media to social media, fakery has become normalised. Living a lie is now mainstream.
Therefore, we should not be surprised if so called news sites spring up in which facts are treated as if they are radioactive. Sadly, locally in Dorset this appears to be the case with one news outlet.
In June 2021 Dorset Eye reported that Dorset News had published an article looking for clicks but with absolutely no substance.
This got the alarm bells ringing and people became understandably cautious and sceptical of Dorset News, as the story was disproved and a concern that following stories would also lack credibility.
Now recently Dorset Eye has received the following email between Dorset News and Weymouth Football Club that suggests that the above was not a one off.
The following is an exchange between the then director of Weymouth Football club, M Palmer, and one of the owners of Dorset News, K Gethins.
‘Dear Kallum,
Thanks for your email.
If you had the courtesy to read my last email properly you will see that I have provided you a statement, here it is again for avoidance of doubt;
“I’ve clearly placed on record recently that via the Echo, the club Youtube channel and the Supporters Association interview that the club has had a cash flow issue that it is currently working through with its suppliers…..This has meant that we’ve had to move some accounts onto a 45-60-90 day payment cycle. The club does not owe any of it’s suppliers over this period and is currently working on paying down any outstanding suppliers. We are very much looking forward to a very successful upcoming season on and off the pitch.”
Anything you chose to publish that varies from any factual position will be seen as an attempt to cause damage and defamation to the club’s name and standing. You have been previously placed on notice.
After speaking with Shaun Parker at UDL *(security company), he also reported that “someone” tried to contact him (twice) just after your initial contact, purportedly saying they were from the “Dorset Echo”. My solicitors office has spoken to the Dorset Echo and they have been notified from the Publication that no one from their office has attempted to contact UDL. The Echo are taking it as a serious matter that “someone” is misrepresenting their organisation and are now opening up a separate line of investigation into this.
You still failed to answer my requests for a breakdown of your corporate structure, any company registration no., who you have direct contact with on the Weymouth FC board and your direct mobile number etc. Therefore we’ve had to continue to gain background on you and your associate that you run your site with. It appears that no one at Dorset News has any Journalistic qualifications for example. If we are incorrect and you would like to provide us with any information that shows differently then could you please send this through and we can check them out. In the meantime I will work with my solicitors, UDL, The Echo into investigating this matter further.
Kallum, you are getting yourself into a heap of mess here, we already have defamation against the club to a 3rd party and misrepresentation to 3rd parties. Look I don’t want to be unreasonable here and would like to sort this out for you before this goes too far to be able to help you out. You could either give me a call or give me your mobile number so I can call you directly.
Hopefully you will see sense and contact me sooner rather than later.
Kind Regards
M. Palmer’
As one can ascertain from this exchange it presents a very concerning picture of how this ‘news’ outlet is operating.
The suggestion is that defamation and lies are at the heart of some of their ‘news’ coverage.
We have also been contacted by members of the public who are very concerned that Dorset News are now attempting to use the organisation of Weymouth Carnival, for 2024, to raise their profile. The anxiety exists that something like a carnival should not be used as an attempt to raise popularity especially given its over one hundred year heritage.
These concerns may be unfounded but given their short history, Dorset News must at least be treated with suspicion.
For those who would like to know more the following are the CIC details for the organisation of Weymouth Carnival:
Both the registered owners of Dorset News, K Gethins and J Brewer are security guards, without any journalistic qualifications.
Also both are using non NUJ approved ‘Press Passes’ that have no legitimacy.
They put this meme attack of Dorset Echo up on their Facebook page which appears to stretch irony to the limit given the fakery at their heart.
This is not meant to represent a hatchet job. It merely reflects the major concerns held within the community that Dorset News are disregarding journalistic ethics and are damaging the community.
Please be very wary when dealing with this supposed ‘news’ outlet.
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