From: “Professor Manuel B. Graeber” manuel.graeber@professoriate.org
To: Complaints complaints@presscouncil.org.au
Subject: Re: SPAM RE: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2024 03:18:13 +0200
Dear Mr Nangle,
I beg to differ. It contains (in official form with case number) the
public interest disclosure referenced in the filing.
And here is another PID I submitted on behalf of USAP
Ms Daniella White’s article is not stating the truth. That’s why it
needs to be corrected.
In any event, the facts will all come out and the Sydney Morning
Herald’s behaviour will become part of the history of the case.
Kind regards
Manuel Graeber
On Wed, 3 Jul 2024 00:47:18 +0000
Complaints complaints@presscouncil.org.au wrote:
Dear Mr Graeber
Thank you for your email.
I note there is no reference to the email from Martin McLoughlin in
the Notice of Filing or that it demonstrates that the publication’s
proposed resolution is not sufficient to address your concerns with
the article.Nonetheless, I will provide the publication with your most recent
comments and the email from Martin McLoughlin for its consideration.I will contact you again in due course
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney 2059
T 02 9261 1930
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au
—–Original Message—–
From: Manuel Graeber
manuel.graeber@professoriate.org>Sent: Friday, June 28, 2024 9:56 AM
To: Complaints
complaints@presscouncil.org.au>Subject: RE: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
Dear Mr Nangle,
Yes, of course. The court filing explicitly names the relevant public
interest disclosure (PID) which lists USAP and other details and is
available here for instanceThis PID was in the public domain before Ms Daniella White’s article
appeared and should have been (now definitely is) known to her and
the publication, the Sydney Morning Herald.I am aware that falsehoods can be intentionally submitted to a court
so that journalists publish them in order to create spin but false
information needs to be corrected if evidence to the contrary is
available and especially if it is already in the public domain which
is the case here.Ms Daniella White’s article is factually incorrect in many parts
which calls for an apology not only in my and colleagues’ opinion but
the beginning of her article is so grossly wrong and misleading the
public that it must be corrected specifically as explained earlier.Thank you for following up.
Kind regards
Manuel Graeber
Professor Manuel B. Graeber MD PhD FRCPath President, University of
Sydney Association of Professors (USAP) Vice-President, Australian
Association of University Professor (AAUP)On Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:27:39 you wrote:
Dear Mr Graeber
In response to your 21 June 2024 email, the publication has
requestedthe
following:
Can you please ask the complainant to provide evidence from the
courtdocuments that the complaint was made in that capacity as President
ofUSAP?
In relation to the above request, I note that the “Notice of
Filing”you provided makes no reference to the USAP. As such, it you are
notable to provide the information requested by the publication, then
itwould appear that its previous proposal would be a sufficient
remedy.Please provide a response to this email by close of business Monday
1July
2024
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
[cid:image001.png@01DAC89E.4997E410]
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney 2059
T 02 9261 1930
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au/>
From: Manuel Graeber
manuel.graeber@professoriate.org>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2024 5:38 PM
To: Complaints
complaints@presscouncil.org.au>
Subject: Re: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
Dear Mr Nangle,
“A senior brain researcher, who as President of the University of
Sydney
Association of Professors (USAP) submitted a public interest
disclosure
(PID) regarding a report that accused a high-ranking official at
the
University of Sydney of bribing and blackmailing a vulnerable young
colleague, has filed a lawsuit against the university’s
administration
after being subsequently dismissed for “serious misconduct”.”
is the factual correction that needs to be published. Unlike Ms
White’s proposal the above statement does not mislead the public by
omission.
The above can be added to the article as the mandatory correction
requested by me (Professor MB Graeber, I still hold my British
title).
Before I made my PID in 2021, I consulted with two senior
professorial
colleagues who had independently received the same report before
me,
confirming that it was necessary for me to take this step as an
elected workplace delegate of our association.
Ms White received detailed written information from me some of
which
is online
he-art icle-by-daniella-white-of-17-april-2024/
which includes the warning that the current management of the
University of Sydney is spreading numerous falsehoods. Ms White has
published many of them although there is not even an apparent
connection to my statement of claim (attached) which categorically
denies any misconduct on my part. This is not journalism that can
be trusted in my opinion.
I will publish our correspondence so that there is a public record
independent of the Sydney Morning Herald’s concerning behaviour. I
frankly think they need a different editor.
Your interest and staying on the case and assistance in this matter
is
much appreciated.
Kind regards
Manuel Graeber
On Fri, 21 Jun 2024 03:50:57 you wrote:
Dear Mr Graeber
As previously informed, your concerns were raised with the
publication.In responding, the publication has said (in relevant part), that:
We checked the court documents again and Professor Graeber’s
statement of
claim did not contain any reference to the allegation being made
inhis
capacity as an employee and President of the University of Sydney
Association of Professors.
In addition, Professor Graeber only agreed to being interviewed
viaif he had agreed to a phone interview these finer details could
havebeen
clarified prior to publication. At no stage did his written
answersinclude
any statements about his allegations being made in the capacity
ofPresident of the University of Sydney Association of Professors.
… we are willing to add a few clarifying words to the story,
namely that
Professor Graeber made the complaint ‘on behalf of a colleague’.
The publication has also said that it will add the following note
atthe end
of the article:
‘Clarification: This story has been updated to make it clear
Professor
Graeber’s complaint was on behalf of a colleague’.
As the above amendment to the article and ‘clarification’ would
appear to
address your concerns, please let me know by close of business
Tuesday 25
June 2024, if you accept the publication’s remedy.
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
[cid:image001.png@01DAC3E1.A49EA810]
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney 2059
T 02 9261 1930
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au/
ressco uncil.org.au%3chttp:/www.presscouncil.org.au/>>
From: Complaints
<complaints@presscouncil.org.au<mailto:complaints@presscouncil.org.a
u>>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 12:32 PM
To:
manuel.graeber@professoriate.org
.org>
Subject: RE: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
Importance: High
Dear Mr Graeber,
I have contacted the publication in relation to your concerns
with
the
following comments:
A senior brain researcher who accused a Sydney University
academic
of
attempting to bribe and blackmail another staff member is suing
the
institution after he was fired for “serious misconduct”.
I will contact you again after I receive a response from the
publication.
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
[cid:image001.png@01DAC3E1.A49EA810]
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney 2059
T 02 9261 1930
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au/
ressco uncil.org.au%3chttp:/www.presscouncil.org.au/>>
From: Manuel Graeber
<manuel.graeber@professoriate.org<mailto:manuel.graeber@professoriat
e.org<
mailto:manuel.graeber@professoriate.org%3cmailto:manuel.graeber@prof
essori
ate.org>>>
Sent: Friday, June 7, 2024 3:13 PM
To: Complaints
<complaints@presscouncil.org.au<mailto:complaints@presscouncil.org.a
u<mail
to:complaints@presscouncil.org.au%3cmailto:complaints@presscouncil.o
rg.au>
Subject: Re: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
You don’t often get email from
manuel.graeber@professoriate.org
.org<m
ailto:manuel.graeber@professoriate.org%3cmailto:manuel.graeber@profe
ssoria
te.org>>.
Learn why this is
importanthttps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification
This is what happened
A senior brain researcher, who as President of the University of
Sydney
Association of Professors (USAP) submitted a public interest
disclosure
(PID) regarding a report that accused a high-ranking official at
the
University of Sydney of bribing and blackmailing a vulnerable
young
colleague, has filed a lawsuit against the university’s
administration
after being subsequently dismissed for “serious misconduct.”
Kind regards
Manuel
On Fri, 7 Jun 2024 03:15:18 you wrote:
Dear Mr Graeber
Thank you for email.
To ensure my understanding of your concerns with the article is
correct,
please confirm if it is the article’s following words you are
concerned
with:
A senior brain researcher who accused a Sydney University
academicof
attempting to bribe and blackmail another staff member is suing
the
institution after he was fired for “serious misconduct”.
If you would please let me know if my understanding is correct,
Iwill
contact the publication about this and ask it to consider
amendingthe
article.
In relation to your request for the publication publish a
correction to
“expose the fact that the court documents submitted by Mr
MathewDean of
Sydney Uni management are full of falsehoods”, we are not able
toassist
with this aspect of the complaint. As previously noted, the
article is
based on a report of court proceedings and the comments in the
article,
including those by Sydney University are presented as “claims”
and“allegations”.
It would be appreciated if you would provide a response to this
email by
12
June 2024
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
[cid:image001.png@01D9E4B7.B5139D90]
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney 2059
T 02 9261 1930
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au/
.press
co<http://www.presscouncil.org.au%3chttp:/www.presscouncil.org.au/
%3chtt
p:/www.pressco>
uncil.org.au%3chttp:/www.presscouncil.org.au/>>
—–Original Message—–
From: Manuel Graeber
<manuel.graeber@professoriate.org<mailto:manuel.graeber@professori
ate.or
g
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:03 PM
To: Complaints
<complaints@presscouncil.org.au<mailto:complaints@presscouncil.org
.au<ma
ilto:complaints@presscouncil.org.au%3cmailto:complaints@presscounc
il.org
.au>>>
Subject: Re: APC 2024/0971 Complainant / Sydney Morning Herald
[You don’t often get email from
manuel.graeber@professoriate.org
te.org
<m<mailto:manuel.graeber@professoriate.org%3cmailto:manuel.graeber
@profe
ssoriate.org%3cm>
ailto:manuel.graeber@professoriate.org%3cmailto:manuel.graeber@pro
fessor
ia
te.org>>.
Learn why this is important at
https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
press-> > > co
un
cil/
Dear Paul,
If the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) would publish a correction
it
would
expose the fact that the court documents submitted by Mr Mathew
Dean of
Sydney Uni management are full of falsehoods. You have access
to
more than
one example which prove this (please find my original email
attached below
for your reference). However, you did not address these issues
and
instead
referred to an already factually incorrect article published in
the SMH.
My main grievance is that a senior colleague has made
allegations
of
bribery
and blackmail against University management, not me. It was my
duty to
make
a public interest disclosure, and I should not be portrayed as
a
troublemaker for simply carrying out my duty as an employee and
President
of the University of Sydney Association of Professors.
The public needs to be informed accurately and not misled by
spin.
It is
worth mentioning that a former editor-in-chief of the Sydney
Morning
Herald
(Darren Goodsir) currently serves as the chief of staff at our
university.
As you might know, traditional news sources are losing their
grip
on the
market to social media platforms. While this shift brings its
own
set of
challenges, it also presents an opportunity for more accurate
and
unfiltered reporting as you can see in this case. It is our
responsibility
as academics to ensure that the truth is prioritised over spin.
I
hope
that
you will consider my request for a correction and take
necessary action.
Please let me know if I/we can provide any further information
or
evidence
to support our claims.
Kind regards
Manuel
Professor Manuel B Graeber MD PhD FRCPath President, University
of
Sydney
Association of Professors Vice-President, Australian
Association
of
University Professors
Complaint WC/LUMIRJ/0258
From: Manuel Graeber
<manuel.graeber@professoriate.org<mailto:manuel.graeber@professori
ate.or
g<
mailto:manuel.graeber@professoriate.org%3cmailto:manuel.graeber@pr
ofesso
ri
ate.org>>>
(Professoriate) To:
complaints@presscouncil.org.au.
au<mai
lt<mailto:complaints@presscouncil.org.au%3cmailto:complaints@press
counci
l.org.au%3cmailt>
o:complaints@presscouncil.org.au%3cmailto:complaints@presscouncil.
org.au
Date:
06/05/24 22:29
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to request that The Sydney Morning Herald and
9News
publish a
correction and apology due to the misinformation they are
currently
spreading. Both news organizations have been propagating
inaccurate
information as evidenced by the links provided
d-of-s
er
io
us-misconduct-sues-sydney-uni-20240408-p5fi4d.html
ing-cl
ai
ms
-bribery-and-corruption/d7fd1182-e7c9-4510-b0f6-6f0b81f13fb5
Their defense is that this misinformation stems from a court
document,
which
only contains claims and not evidence. However, both news
reports
directly
contradict the original evidence that has now become publicly
available,
and the editors have been made aware of this.
I am particularly concerned about their reporting as they claim
that I,
rather than a colleague, made the initial allegations of
blackmail
and
bribery by a high-ranking university manager. This is untrue.
Furthermore,
it is untrue that there is no officially recognized public
interest
disclosure, among other false information in their articles.
I am requesting an apology because these reports are also
defamatory.
Both
editors have either refused to make the necessary corrections
or
ignored
my
concerns entirely
stribu
ti
ng
-misinformation-although-the-facts-are-in-the-public-domain-and-it
s-edit
or
s-
have-been-informed/
-altho
ug
h-
the-facts-are-in-the-public-domain-and-its-editors-have-been-infor
med/
I am eagerly awaiting your response.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
Manuel Graeber
Professor Manuel B Graeber MD PhD FRCPath President, University
of
Sydney
Association of Professors Vice-President, Australian
Association
of
University Professors
On Mon, 27 May 2024 03:16:54 you wrote:
Re:
Sydney Morning Herald article “Whistleblower professor
accusedof
‘serious misconduct’ sues Sydney Uni”, (Online) 17 April 2024
9News article “University of Sydney professor fights sacking,
claims
bribery and corruption” 18 April 2024
We refer to your complaint received on 6 May 2024 concerning
thearticles above.
In your complaint you say that “both news reports directly
contradict
the original evidence that has now become publicly available,
and the
editors have been made aware of this”. You say that you are
“particularly concerned about their reporting as they claim
thatI,
rather than a colleague, made the initial allegations of
blackmail and
bribery by a high-ranking university manager”.
After careful consideration, the Council Secretariat has
decidednot
to proceed further with the complaint. In reaching this
decision, we
have taken into account that the articles are based on a
reportof
court proceedings that would appear to be accurate at the
timeof
publication. In relation to this, we note that the articles
arebased
on a ‘statement of claim’ filed in the Federal Court of
Australia and
the comments in the article are presented as “claims” and
“allegations”.
In relation to your concerns relating to blackmail and
bribery,we do
not consider the articles attribute these actions to you. We
note that
the Sydney Morning Herald article says: “According to court
documents,
this email included allegations that a senior academic tried
tobribe
and blackmail a vulnerable young colleague and that Graeber
wasbeing
excluded or bullied in the workplace”. The 9News article
says:“Graeber alleged that a professor ‘attempted to bribe and
blackmail
another staff member’, but this complaint was not made
followingprocedures for reporting allegations of corrupt conduct, the
tertiary
institution said in its defence”.
Accordingly, we consider the matters about which you have
expressed
concern, are unlikely to be considered a breach of the
Council’sStandards of Practice.
Although we are not proceeding further with the complaint,
theSydney
Morning Herald will be informed of your concerns about the
article.Please note that 9News is not a member of the Australia Press
Council.Australian television and radio broadcasters, such as 9News,
areregulated by the Australian Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA).Information about how to access ACMA’s complaints handling
process may
be
found at: https://www.acma.gov.au/complaints
We appreciate your concern about compliance with appropriate
media
standards. Apart from the outcomes in specific cases, we do
tryto
learn from the broad pattern of complaints in an effort to
improve
media standards and to target our educational initiatives.
Information on our complaints procedures, including a request
toreview a decision, may be found
here.<https://www.presscouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11
/Revie
w_of_
Decisions_Fact_Sheet_V1_14.12.20.pdf>
Kind regards,
Paul Nangle
Director of Complaints
Australian Press Council Inc
PO Box 1014, North Sydney NSW 2059
Telephones: 02 9261 1930 1 800 025 712
www.presscouncil.org.auhttp://www.presscouncil.org.au/
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