Professor John Robertson OBA, Fact-based Ferry Correspondent of the Year The Herald’s Martin Williams today has the latest in his Fiasco Journalism Series: A new “fiasco” caused by a ferry breakdown has sparked a row over the delivery of vital supplies on an island on the eve of its world famous whisky festival. The key ferry for Islay, MV Finlaggan has been sidelined as problems have emerged during routine planned maintenance of main engines during an annual overhaul period. Under a picture of the MV Finlaggan (My daughter bought me a model of it for my shelves!) it’s described as ‘stricken!’ You … Continue reading Stricken!! The Herald and local haulier conspire to hide the deep satisfaction of Islay folk with their ferry service

Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Scotland today with a drug gang killing in Scotland included. It would better read: Despite their ongoing refusal to headline these County Lines gangs, all based in English cities, causing devastation across Scotland and impeding the fall in drug deaths, with new, more powerful, cheaper, drugs backed up by extreme violence, as in this case, this is a breakthrough if you read the full text: A drug dealer and two accomplices who killed a woman and endangered the life of her boyfriend in a car attack in Falkirk have each been jailed for 11 years. … Continue reading A first as BBC Scotland tell us where the drug gangs terrorising Scotland and keeping deaths high come from – not in the headline mind you

The Daily Record in March Professor John Robertson OBA What’s wrong with these front pages, factually? First, Murder by stabbing in Scotland has fallen in a steady trend to half of the level 6 years ago – From Knife crime statistics: FOI release, published today, we see that there were 49 homicides by knife in Scotland in 2017/2018 and that there has been a steady and significant fall to 25, in 2022/2023, the most recent data.1 Second, ‘teens’ are dying in ever fewer numbers. The above victim was 15 years old. There are no data for 13-19 year-olds but there is typically only 1 homicide victim … Continue reading Daily Record’s sickening and repeated exploitation of tragedy and failure to inform their readers as murder by knife and possession of knives plummet in Scotland, only

Professor John Robertson OBA From a survey of 2 826 in October 2024, quite contrary to MSM reports, we see a stunning 88.3% satisfaction level with CalMac’s ‘Argyll’ ferry services – Oban/Craignure, Oban/Lismore, Oban/Coll/Tiree, Tobermory/Kilchoan, Fionnphort/Iona, Fishnish/Lochaline and Gallanach/Kerrera. This survey is in the public domain and CalMac can be approached by any doubting ‘journalist.’ They must respond. I note that none ever do. While we’re at it – car deck utilisation? Generous provision? Source: https://assets.calmac.co.uk/media/bx1cnvug/argyll-oct-24.pdf Continue reading 88% customer satisfaction with CalMac’s Oban to Mull and other Argyll ferry services to suggest media coverage of ‘local representatives’ is unrepresentative of the mass of islanders and tourists

Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Bob Lamont for suggesting this. I can’t believe I’ve missed out on the regular large-scale surveys of CalMac ferry performance, published but ignored by MSM, as they pursue a different agenda regardless of the facts, and fully transparent. Any journalist can scrutinise these surveys, demand all information, and report on any debates within them. Notably none ever do. If you don’t trust these surveys, challenge CalMac for details of who did them, how they were done and get the raw data. They cannot refuse you. If you have something and can present it honestly, I promise to publish … Continue reading Even on Arran, nearly 80% satisfied with CalMac ferries and dangerous weather is to blame for 96% of cancellations to once again expose the media stories as whopping fibs

Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Bob Lamont for suggesting this. I can’t believe I’ve missed out on the regular large-scale surveys of CalMac ferry performance, published but ignored by MSM, as they pursue a different agenda regardless of the facts, and fully transparent. Any journalist can scrutinise these surveys, demand all information, and report on any debates within them. Notably none ever do. If you don’t trust these surveys, challenge CalMac for details of who did them, how they were done and get the raw data. They cannot refuse you. If you have something and can present it honestly, I promise to publish … Continue reading 87% of 30 000 satisfied with CalMac’s Outer Hebrides services

Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Bob Lamont for suggesting this. I can’t believe I’ve missed out on the regular large-scale surveys of CalMac ferry performance, published but ignored by MSM, as they pursue a different agenda regardless of the facts, and fully transparent. Any journalist can scrutinise these surveys, demand all information, and report on any debates within them. Notably none ever do. If you don’t trust these surveys, challenge CalMac for details of who did them, how they were done and get the raw data. They cannot refuse you. If you have something and can present it honestly, I promise to publish … Continue reading 87% satisfaction for 15 000 Clyde ferry-users and 94% on time for Millport visitors casts serious doubt on the media reports