New Film Accuses Australian Media of Reporting Flaws Over Schapelle Corby

An independent film has today been released which condemns Australia's media over their long term reporting of the Schapelle Corby case.

(PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- An independent film has today been released which condemns Australia's media over their long term reporting of the Schapelle Corby case.

Schapelle Corby Continues To Suffer

In 2005, Schapelle Corby was sentenced to an unprecedented 20 years in an Indonesian prison cell, for importation of marijuana, following one of the most contentious cases of modern times. To this day she maintains her innocence, with observers and human rights support groups urging her release. As a recap, the film cites many of the major aspects of the case, including the refusal of the court to test the drugs for country of origin, the subsequent burning of the untested drugs, and the much lesser value of the drugs in Indonesia than in the country of alleged export, Australia.

The main body of the film, however, highlights the Australian government's difficult position in terms of its strategic relationship with Indonesia, and identifies a six step media management process designed to influence public opinion against her. The specific steps described by the film range from the selective and repeated use of the phrase "Convicted drug smuggler, Schapelle Corby" to what it terms "constant and unsubstantiated smear and innuendo against her and her family". It further alleges the marginalization of the reporting of real events and news, and the systematic shifting of focus from legal and human rights abuses.

For each step, the video also explains the impact, in terms of effect on public perception and opinion.

Rachel James, of Schapelle.Net, states: "Some of the worst excesses in Australian journalistic history have been evident with this case. Stories have been fabricated, opinion has been presented as fact, and real facts have been buried. The Australian public have slowly but surely had a false picture pulled over their eyes, to blind them from what they had actually seen for themselves."

She continues: "The real news is the show trial, the breaching of Schapelle Corby's legal and human rights, and her appalling conditions and suffering over the last four years. But when was any of this last reported? This excellent film highlights many of these issues."

The movie also quotes the CLA (Civil Liberties Australia), who recently accused the media of becoming her persecutor (http://www.cla.asn.au/0805/index.php/opinion/2008/07/10/on-trial-australian-media-for-underminin), and the FPSS (Foreign Prisoner Support Service), who in the same article allege media victimization.

The video, which is titled 'Burying the Truth, Burying Schapelle Corby', can be viewed on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYCuzE16tQE). It is also available from several Schapelle Corby support sites (including www.schapelle.net/media.html) and a range of human rights related portals.

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
This is the second film on this case from the same independent UK based production team, which promises further investigative releases in the future. The film was researched using direct archival sources, with analysis of reports dating from the onset of the case itself.

ABOUT SCHAPELLE.NET
Schapelle.net is a Web site dedicated to the Schapelle Corby case. It provides resources and information to help those who are willing to assist. For further information on the case itself, see the video on the schapelle.net website: www.schapelle.net/videos.html

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