Was it responsible journalism?

[networkguy]

Yesterday, many radio stations reported about 'rumours' that gas prices could go up drastically overnight as much as $2.00/L Some stations even reported that poeple has seen this price at some gas stations.

Was it reposnsible journalism on the part of the radio staions to report this? Did they add fule to the fire and make the situation worse, resulting in the ridiculous line ups we saw at every station? Or should they have not even mentioned it or perhaps been more optomistic in reporting about it?

NG

[networkguy]

Lol I accidentally voted wrong by clicking YES on my own poll, lol. To set the record straight, I mean to vote NO.

NG

[Taz]

I voted I don't care because although it was only rumors at some gas stations it was fact at others. To me the absurd part was peoples reactions to the news. I see it as if its going to happen it will. I'll buy my gas when I need it not as price dictates it.

[Yogi]

Of course it was. That's a no-brainer question. It's what "journalists" are supposed to do... don't ya know? :d

[Walter]

Probably not an appropriate question for this forum......

Wasn't it one of the member's sister who said gas prices were going up and then members from the Chatham and London area reported gas prices in their area.

It is only logical that the media would report spikes in gas prices.....responsible journalism has become an oxymoron.

[networkguy]

Guys, its like saying, 'at some point in the next two weeks, its going to rain' I mean its an inevitability, right? But its not a fact because it hasn't happened yet, they can't say precisely WHEN its going to rain, or HOW MUCH, its going to rain, can they? I am saying it was irresponsible, because they were fueling everyones fears of overnight spikes in the price, something that didn't happen, did it? Journalists and the media are supposed to report on FACTS not heresay, conjecture or rumour, none of these can be validated or proved, and therefore have little merit. The fact that everyone flocked to the pumps is proof of how much faith we have in the media and how much we listen and follow what they say.

NG

[Taz]

Guys, its like saying, 'at some point in the next two weeks, its going to rain' I mean its an inevitability, right? But its not a fact because it hasn't happened yet, they can't say precisely WHEN its going to rain, or HOW MUCH, its going to rain, can they? I am saying it was irresponsible, because they were fueling everyones fears of overnight spikes in the price, something that didn't happen, did it? Journalists and the media are supposed to report on FACTS not heresay, conjecture or rumour, none of these can be validated or proved, and therefore have little merit. The fact that everyone flocked to the pumps is proof of how much faith we have in the media and how much we listen and follow what they say.

NG

But it did happen at some locations, just not a wide spread increase as they said. It may have bee nonly a few locations but it was enough that the provincial govt. wants the competition bureau to look into it.

[Rustynut]

I voted I don't care because although it was only rumors at some gas stations it was fact at others. To me the absurd part was peoples reactions to the news. I see it as if its going to happen it will. I'll buy my gas when I need it not as price dictates it.
Now that (BOLD) is the truth! Too many folks get the jitters and stress over something they cannot really control other than to make one less trip to the corner Variety store a block away.

Now that you own your truck I hope your company has you on some sort of discount for your diesel buggy's fuel. All I hear is whining on the CB because of the high cost of fuel from a lot of drivers, and they are the real independant ones without fuel contracts. :rrg:

[networkguy]

TAZ, did you ever consider for a minute, that the few stations that did put it up, only did so because of the rumours and fears of consumers? I mean when has anyone seen a few stations put their prices up, only to drop them a short time later? Don't all the stations usually put their prices up together at the same time?

NG

[Rustynut]

NG, the way I see it Pretro Can is usually the first to raise prices only to have all the others on the corners follow suit with the exception of a few stations that wait for a while before increasing the price.

[networkguy]

See Rustynut, I've seen Petro be the cheapest in my neighbourhood on some occassions.

NG

[Bogie]

Ironically, a good article from the Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1127512213768&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News&pubid=968163964505&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes) on this. Requires free registration is you haven't already.

[Taz]

TAZ, did you ever consider for a minute, that the few stations that did put it up, only did so because of the rumours and fears of consumers? I mean when has anyone seen a few stations put their prices up, only to drop them a short time later? Don't all the stations usually put their prices up together at the same time?

NG

not always no, I've got 3 Petro Canada's within 5 min of my house and they all adjust at differant times. One station manager or owner goes to the street with binoculars and checks the compition out and adjusts accordingly

[Rustynut]

See Rustynut, I've seen Petro be the cheapest in my neighbourhood on some occassions.

NG
Glad they are reasonable in your neck of the woods, here in London there are several that are bunched up and they always seem to increase the price first, followed by Esso and the final hold out always seemed to be Sunoco on the corner of Wellington and Exeter. ( Prior to the rebuild of the station )
Either way it seems the prices are reasonable until mindnight when they will turn into pumpkins if they don't increase the price.