Why won't The Australian publish Brightstar's letter?
Misleading information has been pedalled in the media about Telstra's relationship with Brightstar, in particular by The Australian. The latest article in that newspaper was both misleading and inaccurate. Brightstar wrote a letter to the editor to correct the record, but - you guessed it - The Australian won't run the letter.
"Well, if they won't, we will," Group Managing Director, Telstra Consumer Marketing and Channels, David Moffatt said. "We are grateful to Brightstar for providing us with a copy.
"In the letter, Brightstar Managing Director, Jeff Gower, says the newspaper report 'fundamentally misunderstood Brightstar's business model, and hence the value delivered to Telstra's shareholders and customers.'
"And that's at the heart of the matter.
"While the newspapers try to insinuate agendas and arrangements and quote competitors whose commercial interests may be served by the negative press, the fact is the Telstra Brightstar partnership is delivering savings worth many millions to our shareholders and customers," David said.
Mr Gower's letter is attached here in full. We regret it has not been published by The Australian.
If this all sounds familiar, it is because it is not the first time we have been down this path. In March 2007, The Australian refused to publish another letter in response to an article it printed relating to Brightstar.