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Look in the mirror!
Page 9
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Brian Weatherley wonders whe it's more important for the road transport press to campaign on behalf of the industry — or to sho the uncomfortable truth.
The other day I was jawing with a long-time American colle who edits a US road transport magazine and we ended L wondering why truck operators on both sides of the ponc universally disliked by the public they serve.
I told him that in the UK most operators are simply too busy doing their job to stop and tell people how well they do it, or how vital it is. That seemed to strike a trans-Atlantic chord. However, his reply also resonated with me: "Shouldn't magazines like ours be campaigning on behal the industry to get that message over?"
To which the answer must be yes, but different people inevitably have different views on what trade magazines should do for their readers. Commercial Motor does camp ceaselessly, but it isn't all we should be doing.
I've always believed that one of the most important functions CM fulfils is one that not everyone wants, nor evi expects us to perform — to hold a mirror up to the industry say: -There now. Take a good, hard look at what you see.. you comfortable with what you see? If not, what are you gc to do about it?"
"In the UK most o too busy doing thei stop and tell people they do it or how vi
In short, while I've always been willing to take up arms on behalf of CM readers. I've long concluded that its ecp important to reflect the darker side of the business and spotlight the illegal activities of the 'enemy within' which cannot, and must not, be swept under the carpet just bec they makes people uncomfortable.
So while some people would prefer to see road transp through rose-tinted glasses, if you really want to know why nobody loves you I strongly suggest you look in the mirror.
• Don't forget to follow Brian Weatherley's online colt 'Big Lorry Blog' at www.bizbuzzmedia.com