New Zealand’s history as a sheep-farming nation means the command “Get in behind!” has long had a particular resonance — but not usually for journalists. However, in late March, as panic over the coronavirus pandemic surged around the world, Dr Gavin Ellis — former editor-in-chief of the NZ Herald — recommended that the media should …
For the sake of democracy New Zealand must emerge from the Covid-19 crisis with viable public and private sector media. Indispensable public service broadcasting must be counterbalanced by equally vital independent media organisations. Together they can hold power to account but one must not be weaker than the other. Public service media, by definition, are …
While Jacinda Ardern’s government has been criticised for making decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic that could be interpreted as politically partisan — particularly its award of a permanent $25 a week rise to beneficiaries — it can’t be accused of political favouritism in its dealings with media over the lockdown. One of the recurring criticisms …
Former editors and journalists of certain illustrious Bauer titles have quickly utilised the shock of its sudden closure to rabidly reminisce, and positively soak in nostalgia. Understandable to those in the industry – there’s a period of piercing pain to work through – but not so much to the public. The Listener, or Metro, or …
The National Party is in trouble again for its Facebook advertising campaigning. Late last week, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against one of the party’s social media ads targeting the Government’s vehicle efficiency feebate scheme. The authority ruled it was “likely to confuse or deceive consumers”. The ad had claimed that the feebate scheme …
“Democracy dies in darkness.” That’s the motto of the Washington Post, and it refers to the role the news media plays in ensuring democratic political systems work. It’s also an idea that’s been spoken about a lot in the last couple of weeks as debate heats up about the Government’s current, and potential, role in …
Should we really care about the “Budget hack” that has been consuming a lot of politicians and political commentators over the last week? Is this really, as John Key used to say about scandals involving his own Government, one of “the things that matter”? I made the case yesterday in my column, The Budget ‘hack’ scandal …
The world is changing fast, with digital technological innovation that is both liberating and disturbing. The threats and opportunities this presents requires a massive debate, and intervention, to ensure such changes are as healthy as possible for humanity. The online dimension of the Christchurch terrorist attacks is now provoking a sea change in attitudes towards …
Last week was a big one for the media. Not only did New Zealand’s biggest newspaper launch a new paywall, but Thursday was “World News Day”, and Friday was “World Media Freedom Day”. All of this prompts the question, how well is New Zealand society and democracy served by the media in 2019? The World …
The media has played a central role in this year’s huge scandal involving MP Jami-Lee Ross. Journalists, broadcasters, and political commentators have reported on the scandal – including choosing to withhold some information – and interpreted it all. Inevitably questions have been asked about how well the media have performed, and the decisions they have …
The Verdicts are in. The last week has seen a plethora of evaluations of the Labour-led Government’s first year in office. They’re mostly positive, but not without criticisms or warnings of future problems. Of course, the one verdict that the Government would have paid particular attention to was last week’s TVNZ Colmar Brunton poll which …
It is very hard not to feel sympathy for Clare Curran. The minister was obviously not coping with her job, and scrutiny from the National Party opposition and the media. She was clear about that herself in her statement, saying she found it an “intolerable” situation, and pleaded to be understood as a “human being”. …
The latest free speech debate – ignited by the National Party opposing Chelsea Manning coming to speak in New Zealand next month – illustrates that many on the political left and right are actually in broad agreement in their desire to severely limit free speech when it suits them. All they differ on is who …
It’s been a long time coming, but Nicky Hager’s battle with the Police, who badly mistreated him when they investigated his Dirty Politics book in 2014, has finally come to an end. Victory for Hager comes in the form of the Police making him a significant apology and a substantial financial payout. This is not …
From some angles, it seems like a comparatively trivial and pedantic controversy, but New Zealand’s reputation for integrity in the political system is just too important to be tarnished in the way that the RNZ-Curran scandal is doing. Far from being a “storm in a coffee cup”, it encompasses some huge issues, including the independence …
Over the last decade there’s been a stunning slump in levels of public trust for authorities around the globe. When society becomes more suspicious of public institutions, there is increased chance of political upheaval and change – which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. And the political change …
Labour has justified its handling of the youth summer camp sexual misconduct controversy as the party taking a “victim-led” approach. It has received support for its stance from a number of quarters, including Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP. But there has also been strong criticism of the party’s approach. Some believe it has required that those …
No one should have been surprised by Winston Peters taking legal action this week over what he calls “filthy politics”. After all, he signaled before the election that he was determined to use the law to get justice. And although most of the media reaction has been very negative, it really is understandable that he …
Is our new government doing enough about the Manus refugee crisis? Well, it’s hardly doing anything. Instead of putting pressure on the Australian Government to allow New Zealand to take refugees from Manus Island, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seems to have capitulated entirely to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the issue. Former Labour Party …
The new government has officially taken office, and we know who will be doing what following yesterday’s allocation of ministerial portfolios. Below are five important general themes that have emerged about the new ministerial line-up. 1) A strong and sensible administration has been put together The consensus amongst political commentators and newspaper editorials is that …
Chris Trotter continues to be a thorn in the side of the Labour Party leadership. MPs will hate his column today, which calls into question the integrity of this week’s caucus reshuffle and paints a picture of a bitterly divided party – see: Dishing out rewards to hungry enforcers. Trotter says the reshuffle has been …