Kevin Hillier says he’s entitled to his opinions
May I direct your attention to the name of this column, The Hillier View. The reason it’s called that is because the opinions in this column are exactly that, my personal view.
The reason I feel the need to point that out is that there’s an assumption by some people that the opinions I express are those of a number of organisations I work for as a freelance contractor – radio stations, football clubs, football leagues and many other organisations.
I do not, and never have, used this column or my In the Doghouse column to promote the views of anyone else. I have promoted events, championed causes and given publicity to many charitable organisations because my mantra from the start has always been that this is a column for the people. If I think an organisation is getting it wrong, I’ll say so.
People have contacted businesses I am contracted to and demanded I be terminated (in a business sense only, I hope) for something I have written in this column. Methinks those people hit the guilty button and I’m grateful the people I work for do not cave in. There have also been suggestions I need to back off writing about certain subjects and people, or there would be negative impacts on ongoing relationships. Again, I’m happy to say my business partners have not wavered, even though comments have been vicious at times.
What I write in this column is simply my view, not that of any person or organisation I have commercial dealings with, and to suggest otherwise is completely wrong. To suggest I back off my opinion is about as wrong as it gets and is straying into a very murky legal area.
By definition, an opinion is an unproven belief or what one thinks about something. I’m entitled to that and this newspaper is entitled to print that, if it sees fit. Challenge me by all means if you disagree with my views. I welcome that and it’s healthy for everyone. But have an opinion, not an agenda, and have the courage to share that opinion with me face to face, not behind my back with others.
If you have any news or events, let me know at kevin@howdypartnersmedia.com.au
