Quite frankly Solid Energy (you're being silly!)

In an Orwellian double-twist-with-a-pike statement to the Southland Times, Solid Energy has shown itself to be trying too hard over its public perception. Claiming that their reason for banning the media from Monday's address to the Southland Chamber of Commerce was that they wanted to be able to speak frankly "without fearing what might be reported" seems hypersensitive nonsense!
What did they fear from the audience of fine, upstanding Southland businessmen and councillors?
Or rather, who did they fear?

Me apparently.

From the Times:

"Solid Energy communications manager Sarona Iosefa said the possible presence of some people opposed to the company's projects, in particular Environment Southland councillor Robert Guyton, had prompted the request. The company had wanted to be able to answer questions from any detractors as frankly as possible."

Solid Energy are saying that they wanted to answer questions, from elected representatives of the Southland community, but didn't want those answers reported in the Southland paper!!!

I'm astonished.

Here's the article by Sonia Gerkin.

Solid Energy 'wanted to speak frankly'

Solid Energy has defended its request to exclude media from an address this week by the two men at the forefront of its Southland lignite conversion projects.
General manager new energy Brett Gamble and lignite conversions manager Greg Visser spoke at a Southland Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Monday.
Chamber membership and events manager Ross Ronald confirmed the company had requested the presentation be closed to the media.
He believed it was because they wanted to be able to speak frankly "without fearing what might be reported".
Solid Energy communications manager Sarona Iosefa said the possible presence of some people opposed to the company's projects, in particular Environment Southland councillor Robert Guyton, had prompted the request. The company had wanted to be able to answer questions from any detractors as frankly as possible.
From what she had been told, there were no questions from Cr Guyton.
Mrs Iosefa rebutted the suggestion Solid Energy was being selective in whom it provided information to.
The company had been happy to speak to media afterwards, she said.
Mr Ronald said there had been nothing new in the information presented.
About 120 people had attended the luncheon, which was a better-than-usual turnout for such an event, he said.
There was an update on the briquetting plant, which has been given the green light by Environment Southland and the Gore District Council, and the potential of converting lignite to urea and liquid fuels.
Mrs Iosefa said it was hoped to begin earthworks on the briquetting plant in the first week of September. The $25 million plant will be built just south of Mataura, near State Highway 1.
- The Southland Times