craig thomson, page-60

You are grasping at straws. It is obvious from the footage initially taken that it was the work of a 'stringer', someone local who freelances to the networks. This is also evident by the quality of the images, as they would have been compressed to send quickly before the 7 ENG link van turned up. Also, it is apparent the camera isn't operated off the shoulder or from sticks, as a news crew would do.

Knowing what a good story it is, a good newsroom chief of staff will have sourced a stringer close to Thomson's home who could respond very quickly whenever something was afoot. A neighbour (angry consituent?) would have rung Channel 7 and said the rozzers are at Craig's home. The COS then rings the stringer and 5 minutes later the camera is rolling.

Then the reporter is dispatched with his crew to the scene. That's why the reporter isn't present earlier in the proceedings, and the video quality improves.


If Seven truly were tipped off early, they would have been there with all the gear from the get go.