CO
From
<http://www.mirror.co.UK/news/24by7panews/page.cfm?objectid=13485919&method=full&siteid=50143>
<http://www.mirror.co.UK/news/24by7panews/page.cfm?objectid=13485919&method=full&siteid=50143>
Quote:
Sky journalist who faked report found dead
13:16, Oct 6 2003
LONDON (Reuters) - A news journalist who was forced to resign from Sky News after being accused of faking a television report during the Iraq war has been found dead, the broadcaster says.
A spokeswoman for Sky confirmed the death of journalist James Forlong, but declined to elaborate.
"This is a terrible personal tragedy and a shocking blow for James' family. Everyone here sends their deepest sympathies to his wife and children," Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said in a statement.
Forlong left Sky in July after he was found to have produced a faked report from a British Royal Navy submarine during the Iraq conflict.
Forlong's report purported to show the preparation and firing of a cruise missile from HMS Splendid.
But a BBC documentary crew filming at the same time said it had been specially staged for the benefit of Sky's camera and no missile was actually fired.
Forlong said at the time that the faked report was "a single lapse of judgment which for me is a deep source of regret."
Sky said at the time that Forlong's report was unacceptable to a news operation which had built a " proud reputation for accuracy and integrity ".
Sky News is part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
13:16, Oct 6 2003
LONDON (Reuters) - A news journalist who was forced to resign from Sky News after being accused of faking a television report during the Iraq war has been found dead, the broadcaster says.
A spokeswoman for Sky confirmed the death of journalist James Forlong, but declined to elaborate.
"This is a terrible personal tragedy and a shocking blow for James' family. Everyone here sends their deepest sympathies to his wife and children," Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said in a statement.
Forlong left Sky in July after he was found to have produced a faked report from a British Royal Navy submarine during the Iraq conflict.
Forlong's report purported to show the preparation and firing of a cruise missile from HMS Splendid.
But a BBC documentary crew filming at the same time said it had been specially staged for the benefit of Sky's camera and no missile was actually fired.
Forlong said at the time that the faked report was "a single lapse of judgment which for me is a deep source of regret."
Sky said at the time that Forlong's report was unacceptable to a news operation which had built a " proud reputation for accuracy and integrity ".
Sky News is part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
:-(
A former member
I don't know what to think about this....
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
LO
The Evening Standard's story has some new details:
www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/7046974
Quote:
The reporter died weeks after he applied to the Prince of Wales for the job of press secretary. He was unsuccessful, and friends say it was the final blow for Mr Forlong, who resigned from Sky in July.
He leaves a widow and two children, Katie, 12, and Chris, a teenage boy with Down's syndrome. He lived in Hove, where he killed himself at the weekend.
<snip>
A source at Sky said: "The newsroom is absolutely devastated. James was really popular in the newsroom with everyone. It is a real tragedy, particularly for his wife Elaine and his family. He was always regarded as a good journalist."
<snip>
A spokeswoman from Brighton Coroner's Court confirmed that the body of the reporter was found by his wife.
He leaves a widow and two children, Katie, 12, and Chris, a teenage boy with Down's syndrome. He lived in Hove, where he killed himself at the weekend.
<snip>
A source at Sky said: "The newsroom is absolutely devastated. James was really popular in the newsroom with everyone. It is a real tragedy, particularly for his wife Elaine and his family. He was always regarded as a good journalist."
<snip>
A spokeswoman from Brighton Coroner's Court confirmed that the body of the reporter was found by his wife.
www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/7046974
:-(
A former member
Can someone put a clip up of how Sky are reporting this, I can't get sky at the moment.
BB
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
Lord Wellington posted:
I don't know what to think about this....
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
NW
Hear Hear
Now as I remember I am pretty sure that I got interviewed by him once, but I don't believe it got aired. But this was some time ago (Well it was about 18 months ago) and it was about The Royal Jubilee last year, but from what I saw he seemed like a nice chap.
What terrible news, my deepest condolences go out to those closest to him.
Katherine posted:
Very sad indeed - deepest condolences to family, colleagues and friends of Mr. Forlong.
Hear Hear
Now as I remember I am pretty sure that I got interviewed by him once, but I don't believe it got aired. But this was some time ago (Well it was about 18 months ago) and it was about The Royal Jubilee last year, but from what I saw he seemed like a nice chap.
What terrible news, my deepest condolences go out to those closest to him.
:-(
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
As ever, BBC LDN, that makes total sense, and I agree with your post totally.
I DO think that we need to reflect on how people's disaplinary proceedings are delt with when they are in the public eye. In normal circumstances, if you were to get sacked from McDonalds for stealing money out of the till, your crime is not usually blasted around the world for people to gloat over. You get punished, learn from your mistake and you move on.
In the case of David Kelly and James Forlong, their breaches of contract/trust/conduct were made publically avaliable in such a way, I doubt, in the case of Forlong, he would ever get a job in journalism again.
A former member
BBC LDN posted:
Lord Wellington posted:
I don't know what to think about this....
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
As ever, BBC LDN, that makes total sense, and I agree with your post totally.
I DO think that we need to reflect on how people's disaplinary proceedings are delt with when they are in the public eye. In normal circumstances, if you were to get sacked from McDonalds for stealing money out of the till, your crime is not usually blasted around the world for people to gloat over. You get punished, learn from your mistake and you move on.
In the case of David Kelly and James Forlong, their breaches of contract/trust/conduct were made publically avaliable in such a way, I doubt, in the case of Forlong, he would ever get a job in journalism again.
NG
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
Whilst I can see that your statement makes absolute sense, and has merit, I think you also have to remember the huge pressures placed on reporters in the news arena to "beat the competition" and "be first". Whilst Mr Forlong's report was pooled - it was definitely a Sky report - and there must have been a degree of pressure, whether it was externally exerted by management, or internally generated by experience, to come up with an impressive package.
I may be being cynical - but if the BBC had not been filming on the same ship (and thus documented the "bending of reality" for Sky) I wonder whether Sky News management would have taken the same action if the true situation had still been brought quietly to their attention (without the threat of it being shown on the BBC).
Whatever the whys and wherefores this is a very, very sad outcome.
noggin
Founding member
BBC LDN posted:
Lord Wellington posted:
I don't know what to think about this....
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
This is two fairly high profile suicides that have occured due to disiplinary proceedings at the workplace (David Kelly, and now James Forlong).
I'm not sure where you're going with that. As far I see it, disciplinary proceedings arise from improprieties in the way one's duties are attended to. The only conclusion to draw from that is to do your job properly, the lesson being that if you can't or won't, then you shouldn't be in that job.
There are of course extraneous circumstances - in this case, the very public humiliation of James Forlong with the exposure of his deceptive reporting - but unfortunately, the harsh reality is that had he not done what he did, there would have been no disciplinary proceedings, he would not have been forced to resign, and his successful career would remain so.
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
Whilst I can see that your statement makes absolute sense, and has merit, I think you also have to remember the huge pressures placed on reporters in the news arena to "beat the competition" and "be first". Whilst Mr Forlong's report was pooled - it was definitely a Sky report - and there must have been a degree of pressure, whether it was externally exerted by management, or internally generated by experience, to come up with an impressive package.
I may be being cynical - but if the BBC had not been filming on the same ship (and thus documented the "bending of reality" for Sky) I wonder whether Sky News management would have taken the same action if the true situation had still been brought quietly to their attention (without the threat of it being shown on the BBC).
Whatever the whys and wherefores this is a very, very sad outcome.
MA
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
Indeed.The real victims are his wife and children who will spend the rest of their lives wondering why he couldn't bare to live with them anymore. Suicide is a terribly selfish act
Marcus
Founding member
BBC LDN posted:
It's easy to point the finger at everyone else, but - assuming that Mr Forlong did take his own life - it was his choice to do so, just as he made his own choices with the HMS Splendid report. We can all feel sorry to hear what has happened, and we can all feel that the 'right' thing to do is to make Mr Forlong appear like the victim now that he is dead, but unfortunately people have to take responsibility for their own actions, and based upon the facts that have been presented, I can't see that anyone was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the death of Mr Forlong but himself.
Indeed.The real victims are his wife and children who will spend the rest of their lives wondering why he couldn't bare to live with them anymore. Suicide is a terribly selfish act