In recent weeks ANDRA has stepped up its campaign to inform the media of the difference between ANDRA Drag Racing and illegal street racing.
This has involved making direct contact with over 750 media professionals around Australia currently employed within print, online, radio and television specialising in general news, current affairs and crime/court reporting.
ANDRA Media & PR Officer Tim Baker stated this activity has been an ongoing process over many months but recently has been encouraged by the positive response.
“We all know hooning and illegal street racing is a problem throughout Australia,” he said. “It’s dangerous, reckless and has no place on our streets.”
“Given the recent incidents and reports of illegal street racing published as Drag Racing we embarked on another round of activity designed to educate the media on the differences between our great sport and the irresponsible, dangerous driving on domestic roads.
“This has been an important issue since I commenced my position with ANDRA in January. Business Development Manager Jennifer Harrison and I have been working to make contact with police media, journalists, reporters, TV presenters, radio DJs and others in the media before the most recent tragedies in Sydney and Melbourne and will continue to do so into the future.”
Baker said the response to ANDRA’s latest efforts has been overwhelmingly positive as media outlets have shown a keen interest to work with the governing body.
“Not only did we receive a large number of acknowledgements to our concerns but many respondents advised of their intention to use the term “illegal street racing” or similar instead of Drag Racing,” added Baker.
“I am also currently talking with a number of reporters and journalists from community and regional newspapers, radio and TV including Channel Nine in Victoria and Channel Seven in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.
“I’m hopeful these negotiations will lead to positive coverage for our sport while condemning those doing the wrong thing in the streets. The lines of communication are open and the most important thing is the media are listening.”
Read an article titled: Drag Racing is not illegal dangerous street racing published on The Morning Bulletin website today.
The official statement sent to all media outlets can be read in full below:
