Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Claims

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  • Mark Easterbrook,

    I wonder if anyone's spoken to ex-Otago coach, ex-cop and ex-All Black selector Gordon Hunter about the incident?

    He was there apparently, but may have just turned a blind eye to what was being screened (/lame joke).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • Finn Higgins,

    Craig, rebutting allegations is engaging with somebody as a serious contributor to public discussion - just as suing them is. So the ideal would be just to ignore them, if you don't consider them credible. However, since the story has been picked up by the Herald and DomPost I don't think that there's much possibility of just refusing to respond to it.

    The only reason this situation can arise is because Wishart has his own magazine - and which is, for better or worse, supported by parties other than the fairly small number of people who buy it. That's the nature of the magazine business.

    So I don't think it's an unfair question to be asking. It's not exactly a conspiracy theory to claim that magazines are funded by people wanting to deliver pages of content to a particular demographic, it's the nature of the industry. Or did you think that it was just a coincidence that instrument magazines basically never print scathing reviews of new equipment?

    Wellington • Since Apr 2007 • 209 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Merc wrote:

    Craig, in all honesty, I never really get what you're trying to say, rebut, refute, explain, there is always a "but" and it seems to negate what you say before it.

    Here's the Reader's Digest version: If any media outlet published lies about me, I wouldn't give a shit who was paying their bills or tying them into some shadowy conspiracy. I'm just not really wired for conspiracy theories.

    And, sorry, I'm trying to get out of the habit of thinking and arguing in bumper sticker slogans that must be defended to the death. The older I get, the less the world neatly divides into black and white, and I'm less certain about always being on the side of the angels.

    How someone gets paid to do what they do is really important to me, and I dunno, I know how RB makes his daily bread.

    Well, I don't. And I don't have a clue where Russell's income comes from beyond what he discloses here, and it's not particularly relevant to the quality (or otherwise) of his work. Just as I have no idea who you are or what you do for a living, but just assume any comment you make here is on your own behalf and made in good faith. You've given me no just case to think otherwise.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Simple:
    One - protect your sources.
    Two - have only used him since September.

    But Wishart says he's been working on this story for two years (it appears, indeed, to be the same story that Idour blathered about the the press last year). And even if he's protecting his source, I'm not sure that justifies leading a press release with an emphatic statement that Idour had never been a source. You don't do that: you just shut up.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I wonder if anyone's spoken to ex-Otago coach, ex-cop and ex-All Black selector Gordon Hunter about the incident?

    That would be a bit tricky, what with him being dead and all.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • anjum rahman,

    russell, in the unlikely event that mr wishart does sue you, i will happily chip in for legal fees (as, i expect, would many others throughout the country). i would enjoy having him being put on the stand, and having some digging around & exposure of his journalistic methods (or should i say "methods", che?).

    however, i understand that the costs of legal action are more than just financial, and certainly don't wish this kind of unpleasantness comes your way.

    hamilton • Since Nov 2006 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    But Wishart says he's been working on this story for two years (it appears, indeed, to be the same story that Idour blathered about the the press last year).

    It's interesting to go back and look at Idours full quote:

    "I am just disgusted at what I have been uncovering. A lot of the information I have been uncovering about the Government is very dishonest and if the public knew - and they have a right to know - my view is ... there would be a byelection tomorrow."

    He said he had information about Cabinet ministers David Benson-Pope and David Parker and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen.

    "A lot of this information is not yet public. I don't want to go into it.

    "It relates to the Prime Minister and some of the information relates to her husband."

    Brethren spy hits back at Labour
    New Zealand Herald
    23 September 2006

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    You couldn't make this up could you? It would be absolutely hilarious if there weren’t signs of complicity by journalist to withhold information so as to give the story more legs. I find it worrying that serious journalists knew that Wayne Idour was not only the source of the story but also the provider of the bestiality film and failed to disclose this in any of their initial reporting. On discovering this crucial fact any good journalist would see that this story had subsequently shed even the tiniest smidgen of credibility that it was carrying. Its easy to conclude that Wishart and his associates are seriously damaged individuals hell bent in inflicting their paranoid world view to as wide an audience as possible. It’s a shame that the MSM buy into their sensational and usually baseless rubbish on such a regular basis. I suppose the only hope is that one day the Wishart crew develop the self awareness to take a few steps back to see how utterly tragic they have become. As this seems rather unlikely there will just be more of this crap flying around for years to come.

    Btw Craig, cant see where your coming from on your moral high ground angle especially in relation to Investigate’s funding. Its crucially important find out who’s providing Investigate the financial oxygen to peddle their nonsense and why they are doing it.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    I find it worrying that serious journalists knew that Wayne Idour was not only the source of the story but also the provider of the bestiality film and failed to disclose this in any of their initial reporting.

    Nobody knows that Idour was the provider of the bestiality film. It's been alleged by the government who are not exactly impartial observers in this affair. Idour's lawyer has denied the accusation. The mainstream media are worried about being sued, even if Wishart isn't.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Btw Craig, cant see where your coming from on your moral high ground angle especially in relation to Investigate’s funding. Its crucially important find out who’s providing Investigate the financial oxygen to peddle their nonsense and why they are doing it.

    Well, we're just going to have to agree to disagree and I've really got to go do some paying work.

    But there's one aspect of your moral high ground I'd like to explore when you're done: Do you have a problem with anonymous sources in general, or just in this particular case? Personally, I'd like to see the MSM take a harder line on granting sources anonymity, and refuse to run any story with no on the record attribution. But I guess it's would then become so much harder for MSM hypocrites to peddle their own sleaze, wouldn't it?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    Actually the information about Idour was only pinned down conclusively yesterday. As for the line that Idour's been going around peddling his story to the media, as far as I know, that hasn't happened (though it's entirely possible).

    In fact he's been somewhat incommunicado

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    Couldn't agree more Craig. Just found out about Idour's lawyers rebuttal as well Danyl. I'd like to say my concerns arrise from being brought up on a diet of BBC jounalsim with integrity but after watching the John Sweeney clip I'd do well to KEEP MY TRAP SHUT!

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Actually the information about Idour was only pinned down conclusively yesterday. As for the line that Idour's been going around peddling his story to the media, as far as I know, that hasn't happened (though it's entirely possible).

    King was pretty specific about what she alleged - that Idour had been shopping the story around and been turned down by several publications, but the Herald on Sunday ran with it.

    Presumably, there are people who could confirm or deny that story, and they will include Fairfax and APN editors.

    I guess there'll be more on 3 News tonight - they're saying they've been contacted with information by both sides.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    We're being played.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Baker,

    iWacko 'dad4justice' says:

    "So you going to ban me Russell , what have I done wrong ?

    What you have done, iWacko, is say this on another blog:

    "I really hope Mr Brown and the coterie of wackos , weaklings and witches like this* ? I just posted it on public address for a stirr.

    * - 'this' being your post of 8:21AM on 15 May 07.

    Clearly you aren't engaging in debate; you are in it for a "stirr" (sic).

    That's the definition of a Troll. Trolls live under bridges, and shouldn't be permitted in daylight... They burn up... Go away Troll.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Kennedy,

    Annette King on Morning Report this morning

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport

    probably the only time I have heard Geoff Robinson stuck for words, even I stopped multitasking.

    The wow bit is about 5 minutes in.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Former detective sergeant Peter Gibbons has now confirmed he told King the owner of the objectionable film was Idour and described events at the party, saying that Idour was told to desist but wanted to keep on watching the film.

    Wishart is refusing to say whether Idour was his source, but says it wouldn't make sense for someone who was feeding information about the story to have himself been at the centre of it. Indeed.

    Wishart still hasn't named his source for the claim that Broad watched and enjoyed the film.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Easterbrook,

    I wonder if anyone's spoken to ex-Otago coach, ex-cop and ex-All Black selector Gordon Hunter about the incident?

    That would be a bit tricky, what with him being dead and all.

    Ouch.

    Feel free to delete that poorly researched joke, Russell. I'd completely forgotten that he'd passed away.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    Mark you're just lucky you don't get reported to the Witchsmeller Pursuivant, the auto da fe is trying to make a comeback in NZ.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    Until Wishart is able to stand his allegations up they should be totally ignored. Unfortunately as he well knows, the public desire for smutty gossip means he can drop these unsubstantiated little filth bombs and watch the aftershocks while cackling madly at the moon.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    From the Herald:

    Mr Idour's lawyer, Frazer Barton, said his client was at the party at Mr Broad's house but "categorically denied" bringing the bestiality film along.

    Mr Idour saw "bits of it" but didn't do anything about it.

    "He was appalled by it but didn't act on it, didn't do anything else other than express some views to people."

    Unfortunate choice of words ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Ouch.

    Feel free to delete that poorly researched joke, Russell. I'd completely forgotten that he'd passed away.

    Don't worry. I find it interesting: Hunter was a revered senior cop and rugby coach, and no one so far has had the nerve to bag him for failing to take action.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    From Idour's statement defending himself, released today:

    "It is just too long ago to recall specific detail and I am not prepared to speculate." (Stuff.co.nz)

    Funny how the memory fades when that finger you're pointing is turned back on you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • ron,

    Bestiality's gross (much more so when it's used to degrade women, which doesn't seem to have been the case here)

    My, you are trusting, Russell, or is that naive? If it's similar to the video I saw many years go (of course!), appropriately entitled Animal Action 2, then I doubt that is the case. Yes, most of the *actors* were male and some appeared to be wearing wigs for some reason. But there were one or two females doing certain ahem things with dogs. Enough said.

    auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 77 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    Idour has now issued a press release confirming that he is the source for Wishart's story about the bestiality video. He has denied allegations that he supplied the film.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

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