Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Show some decency

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    I know there are people within the National Party who care about this. One told me yesterday he believed that the “defamation for hire” business being conducted wiped tens of millions of dollars off the value of corporate brands. We need to know what was done and how far it extended, and I don’t give a flying shit who is politically embarrassed in the course of finding out. That’s not the point.

    We need our political leaders, of whatever stripe, to show some decency and find out. And we need, everyone, to shun these people and what they represent.

    We also need media outlets, and their proprietors, to be doing a serious and very public examination of conscience. Because media corporate brands have a lot of their value in intangibles like credibility and authority which aren't enhanced by "defamation for hire".

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

  • Kumara Republic,

    I wonder how many media outlets feared the loss of advertising revenue if they learned too much about Hanover? "This One Weather update is brought to you by Hanover, a New Zealand business with the size and strength to withstand any conditions."

    If there’s a Royal Commission to look into all this, then bringing Justices Leveson, Finkelstein, and Fitzgerald to NZ all at once looks tempting.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Myles Thomas,

    It seems that everyone close to bearing some responsibility is in total denial, with the exception of David Fisher. Typical of the whole dirty business, politics and media gamesters to dish dirt without any selfawareness or ethics.

    Reporters and news media need to be careful because if they can't be seen to control themselves, others might want to do it for them - ie a statutory regulatory body.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Johnny Canuck, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Justice Binnie (Rt'd) from Canada could be just the guy.

    Vancouver BC • Since Feb 2013 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    If anyone has ten minutes to spare, I strongly recommend this interview with Sean Hughes. It has been largely overlooked by other media, perhaps because he is so restrained and measured instead of confrontational - but it's compelling evidence.

    In short, the head of the FMA says he quit, in part because of the attacks on him and his office. All because he was doing his public duty of oversight and investigation (and no, Prime Minister, he's not a "screaming left-winger", at all).


    http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20147910

    (sorry, not sure how to embed link)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    We also need media outlets, and their proprietors, to be doing a serious and very public examination of conscience. Because media corporate brands have a lot of their value in intangibles like credibility and authority which aren't enhanced by "defamation for hire".

    I thought Matt showed great honesty and ethical spine in personally apologising to Feeley for using Slater's attack lines against him. I'm happy enough with what Fran has written too, and of course Fish. Bernard Hickey this week greeted the news that Oders et al discussed targeting him as a badge of honour.

    A few others may still have some accounting to do.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    I know this seems overly simplistic and obvious, but I am getting a really nauseous feeling from knowing that the PM and senior Minister of the country are standing up and lying to my face. I’m not so naive that I don’t expect partisan politicking, but this is just awful.
    I empathise with Matt Nipperts about having the wool over one’s eyes suddenly removed by Nicky Hager and associated hacker. I read and enquire and like to think I keep a finger on the pulse, but I hate the feeling of knowing I have been unwittingly manipulated by Slater et al.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Curtis, in reply to simon g,

    head of the FMA says he quit, in part because of the attacks on him and his office.

    Thats not quite the ( instant) narrative we heard from the SSC and Collins after her resignation/sacking

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report Reply

  • Ianmac, in reply to simon g,

    Thanks Simon. Listened to Sean Hughes.
    I think that this question and all the others alleging Dirty Tricks, are so huge and so beyond our trust as citizens, that even National supporters are bewildered. How do we ordinary folk express our concern? The leadership for investigation and exposure and correction should not be the prime the role of the Opposition during an election.
    Surely there is a Government body charged with the power to step in with or without complaints having been laid.
    It is just too enormous for ordinary people like me.

    Bleneim • Since Aug 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    The latest Whaledump covers the Food and Grocery Council stuff, implicating Katherine Rich.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Luke Williamson,

    I am getting a really nauseous feeling from knowing that the PM and senior Minister of the country are standing up and lying to my face. I’m not so naive that I don’t expect partisan politicking, but this is just awful.

    Me too. Is there a stage when you move past anger to sadness?

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Graham Dunster,

    We need to accept that we are not the clean country that we like to think we are. The pursuit of money and disinterest in our fellow citizens (and guests) has lead us here, with the natural wonders of the country being steadily and obviously degraded in front of us. The short term thinking that has seemingly infected so much of all thinking has to be turned round.
    Labour's complicity in this since they wrested power from Muldoon should be owned, for without them making a clean and honest break from the rotten behaviour of so much of the establishment it is difficult to see how we voters can enable a better future as a result of this election.
    It seems near impossible to motivate voters to embrace an inclusive responsibility, (we are not the USA, socialism is the general good, rich and poor alike), a clear political choice is essential to reinvent ourselves to actually be as we like to see ourselves.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 184 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I thought Matt showed great honesty and ethical spine in personally apologising to Feeley for using Slater’s attack lines against him. I’m happy enough with what Fran has written too, and of course Fish. Bernard Hickey this week greeted the news that Oders et al discussed targeting him as a badge of honour.

    Fair enough - and I share your admiration for Matt, who I've been casually acquainted with for a long time and he's a good chap. But I'd just rather we not be back here again down the road because there's been precisely zero meaningful culture change. I won't hold my breath waiting, but it would be nice to see some top level and public examination of how media outlets treat "defamation for hire" and media outlet's interactions with PR/political spin doctors, commitment to change at top level editorial/management and genuine public accountability. At the risk of sounding harsh, in the UK we saw plenty of journalistic breast beating about perv media following the death of Princess Diana (or more precisely the massive public backlash that followed). I'm sure some of them were even sincere. But where did that end up? The Leveson Inquiry.

    As you say, I'm sure it would be rather embarrassing to a lot of journalists and their proprietors having their own dirty linen exposed. But I'd argue there would be some real long-term gain in rebuilding the credibility and authority all media brands ultimately depend on.

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

  • BenWilson,

    Thanks for the extended stuff, Russell. I did like Miller's point about the policy being actually quite well covered this time. It's a feeling I've had too, that I've never had so much information about the actual policy of major parties before. It's meant I find leader's debates and announcements entirely uninteresting and can't actually be bothered to watch them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • bob daktari, in reply to BenWilson,

    totally agree with you Ben

    I've never had so much information about the actual policy of major parties before

    and possibly its never been easier to find parties polices - generally hidden somewhere on the parties website

    The debates and election seem to be treated like a badly run sports match...

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    One of the strong feelings I had after reading Dirty Politics was how poorly served we are by the mainstream media. It has been an interesting week in our household as my wife got into political debate with true-blue faction at the local community art centre, and was told that she couldn't possibly be up to date on current affairs if she didn't watch the TVNZ or TV3 news. For my son, 19, this is his first election and he gets all of his news from Facebook, Tumblr and online chatting with friends – seldom visits the Herald and never TV3/TVNZ.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Aston, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Is there a stage when you move past anger to sadness?

    Skipped sadness went straight to despair , when will voters get the extent and dark depths of this shit?

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report Reply

  • Bill Eaton,

    For a concise view from somewhere outside the madhouse, I suggest this:

    http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/09/new-zealand-crooks-buddies-whaleoil-bounced-chief-serious-fraud-office.html

    The sheer number of champagne stories in the NZ Herald is a worry.

    Auckland • Since Sep 2014 • 15 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Is there a stage when you move past anger to sadness?

    I think quite a few are still stuck at the denial stage.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Lynne Hertnon, in reply to simon g,

    Thank you for posting.

    My overall view point of this saga is that there needs to be a full investigation into all matters.I believe the people of New Zealand deserve the matter to be investigated and have signed the following petition... You may choose to do so as well.
    http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Governor_General_of_New_Zealand_Investigate_all_the_allegations_of_corruption_in_the_National_government/?tnaudab
    I am appauled by inferences in Nicky Hagers book & certainly do not believe it is a smear campaign. But the uncovering of something very rotten in New Zealand politics.

    Since Sep 2014 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to bob daktari,

    and possibly its never been easier to find parties polices – generally hidden somewhere on the parties website

    Yes, that's what I meant. I don't even listen to announcements, any more than I wait for people to tell me the meaning of random words, rather than looking them up in a dictionary when I want to know them. As far as I'm concerned, if it's not in their policy that I can find online, then it's not in their policy at all. If they can't get it together to put it down in written form and then publish it in the cheapest way ever invented, then they haven't even put in the bare minimum due diligence that I'd consider necessary to call something an actual policy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • stephen clover, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Is there a stage when you move past anger to sadness?

    I go anger => sadness => anger => sadness over and over several times a day. Good to stay at anger as much as poss, I reckon, though fear burning out, hands flailing, walking away.

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report Reply

  • bob daktari, in reply to BenWilson,

    watching the first leaders debate and Mr Key kept talking about their "plan", yet after nearly six years of them ruling (I don't think they govern) I have no idea what their plan is, nor is there any evidence of it

    When I see policy released I check the blogs I trust to see their, (usually more educated), view of it - No right turn is usually my first stop. I will then look at the documents themselves. Quick easy and virtually free means to be slightly informed

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to bob daktari,

    I have no idea what their plan is

    Yes you do. You just can't face how awful it is.

    Key and the senior National party leaders around him have decided leading the country is a waste of their time and talents. Instead they have gained power and then used their power to make themselves and their friends rich at the expense of those they care nothing about.

    They are simply corrupt.

    They have a plan and they have executed it.

    They have no decency.

    Anyone who votes for these people after the disclosures of the last month is saying they are happy to be represented by corrupt selfish politicians.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    Anyone who votes for these people after the disclosures of the last month is saying they are happy to be represented by corrupt selfish politicians.

    Well, they could also be saying that they're resigned to it. That's not the same as happy. They might see it as not at the top of their list of priorities. I doubt that many are actively proud of it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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