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ACA’s lack of respect for Jeanne Little

A Current Affair's story on the health of Jeanne Little bordered on a gross invasion of privacy.

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When I saw the promos for last night’s A Current Affair story about Jeanne Little I assumed it would be putting clarity to rumours about her health. Was somebody from the family finally going on the record?

Back in November 2009 Little had to deny a newspaper article that said she was in ill health. One magazine even used the headline “I’m Not Dying Daahlings.”

But A Current Affair didn’t clarify anything last night. The only interviews it had were with Ray Martin, P.J. Lane and Peter Timbs.

“It’s believed she’s battling a serious illness,” said Leila McKinnon.

Then Ray Martin shared his memories.

“Jeanne was just unique,” he said. Past tense.

“She hasn’t been seen for, probably quite a while out in public,” said former TV Week writer Peter Timbs.

“It’s really sad to see someone who was so vibrant, just losing basic abilities,” offered P.J. Lane, son of Don Lane. “It’s horrible.”

What followed were more memories of Little, clips from The Mike Walsh Show, Midday, an old interview with Little and an interview with her daughter from a Foxtel documentary. The words “ACA: Exclusive” were carried throughout.

“Hard to believe the darling of Australian television is understood to be battling for life,” said reporter Ben McCormack.

‘Understood?’

That’s journo talk for ‘we didn’t get it confirmed / we know but can’t go on the record / somebody else got the interview.’ I’ve even succumbed to it myself on occasions -but hopefully never in relation to something so deeply private.

“There’s talk out there that she may have Alzheimers, she hasn’t been seen in a long time and those who have seen her say she’s not looking very well,” said Timbs, “and the word on the street is that she may have Alzheimers disease, which is quite sad.”

No respect for a woman who gave years of service to the Nine Network.

I won’t go on with the rest of the details, but the whole thing felt like an obituary.

It even ended with McKinnon’s footnote, “We do wish Jeanne and her family all the very best at this difficult time.”

A time now made even more difficult by an invasive report?

Seriously, what was the motivation behind this story?

Does another media outlet actually have a member of the family on the record?

Watch this space.

63 Responses

  2. You called it David, Seven is running teaser for a TT story, no named mentioned, but ‘what happened to this Aussie TV Legend could happen to us all”.

    Sounds grabs from a loved one played, “she’s gone down hill so fast”. Etc

  3. I think it’s good you brought it to our attention david, now people who have yet to see aca can see what scum they are and we can all switch channels to make a point to these morons. I myself like to watch these shows cause they make me laugh my butt off, but disrespecting anyones familly is a no no. They’ll be getting complaints from me! More to the point.. love you jeanne and god bless.

  4. @ david, ACA and everyone who coments on this site…..
    Its none of your business! and Its none of mine business either….
    that story should never been aired! and U all should be a shamed!

    everyone hang you head in shame!!!

  6. Well if Jeannie is ill then she and her family deserve respect. As far as ACA and Today Tonight are concerned they show absolute crap, not news ,and anyone who agrees should watch another channel.

  8. “Does another media outlet actually have a member of the family on the record?”

    Possibly, possibly not. TT is running a story tomorrow night – but is it a catch-up response to ACA or an actual exclusive??

  9. Gosh Lucy, I really hope the Nine Network aren’t paying you as your spelling and grammar need some work. Fairly sure you meant “hypocritical” in your first comment as opposed to “hypercritical”, based on how you put it in context.

    Also I’d work on sorting out “your” from “you’re”

    My son has some school books you can borrow if you wish.

    Meanwhile, I shall continue to visit this excellent news website – at least I know that someone well educated is running it.

  10. How the hell can these shows continue to air! Seriously ACA as well as TT are idiotic shows which need to be slapped with a notice of eviciton. They need to be shown the door.

  11. @Lucy, I fail to understand your logic about how the owner of this site should not have run the story criticising ACA for running the Jeannie Little story. Why should he not have run the story? It is his right as editor to run whatever he feels is in line with the purpose of his website. His article was a legitimate critiicism, as the piece was shoddy, tacky and insensitive in the extreme, openly speculating on the health on a woman who is known to be battling a serious health issue. It was gutter journalism at its worst, a time-filling piece of fluff almost 7 minutes long that benefited nobody.
    As this site holds a spotlight up to Australian TV and invites viewer comment, the article and the feedback by viewers is justified and legitimate.

  15. Nothing new here from ACA. They are the kings or Queens of trashy and lazy journalism. Journalism in this country is going down the crapper and has this past decade its a shame, but is a reality and this is another example of shotty journalism. The 9 network dont want to pay for quality journalism because quality costs money.

  18. What a horrible story. Shame on you ACA.

    I often wondered how Ray Martin could look at himself in the mirror…then I remembered vampires don’t have a reflection.

  19. @ Lucy, I think we all know you love the Nine Network and you must either get paid by nine or you do some work with them, but hey just like any other network they do make mistakes from time to time. I think you should tell us what the reason is you are so protective of Nine?

  22. @Lucy – if your argument is that TV Tonight should not perpetuate this sort of tabloid television, then try arguing it with Jonathan Holmes and Monica Attard and all the Mediawatchers who have to weigh up whether it is in the public’s interest to know about insensitive, incorrect or amoral reporting by arguably highlighting it again by repeating it or referring to it. If this site’s editor, and it is his right to decide, chooses to make mention of such a media issue, then he gives all his readers the choice to consider which side of the line they would place themselves on. Invasive? Inaccurate? Without journalistic merit? One sided? “Add my fuel to the flame” Tell us more Chenielle!

  23. I didnt watch it because I figured what ever the news was I would read about it the next day. But to do a story with others talking about her health without actually clariyfying with whats wrong with her is a disgrace.

    I thought they were going to have a 1 on 1 interview with her.

    By the way anyone know who TT are talking to when they talk to a star on monday who we wont recognise.

  24. @Lucy – are you paid by Nine to make these ridiculously biased and ill-informed comments? We never hear from you when David bags another network, but as soon as he writes anything negative about Nine, you’re (not “your”) on here questioning his integrity.

    This extreme bias of yours removes any possibility that what you write might have any substance to it and thus it can safely be ignored.

  25. David,
    I wouldnt have run that story last night on Aca out of respect for Jeannie and her family. The point I’m trying to make is we both agree it shouldnt have aired so why go down this tabloid track and add my fuel to the flame? As the editor of this site I think you made poor judgement by running this piece full stop.
    Now check your email you may be interested in whats in it.

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