Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Will they make O'Reilly sweat?

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    But as a bald statement, it's wrong. Sorry.

    Perhaps it's a little too metaphysical for a Media7, but why is sorry (and 'we got the wrong') the hardest word to say in the media? I don't know about anyone else, but the reputations of Deborah Coddington and North and South would be in better shape -- and Robin Langwell might still have a job -- if someone had just printed a prompt retraction and apology stating that that story was substantively wrong on matters of fact.

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

  • Tim Ellis,

    Our forces were in Bosnia for 12 years on a formal basis and 15 years all-up. You could certainly contend that Bosnia wasn't a war zone all that time -- while Afghanistan, even around Bamiyan where our people are, just gets nastier and more dangerous. But as a bald statement, it's wrong. Sorry.

    Indeed, and New Zealand forces have formed the New Zealand contingent of the MFO in the Sinai for the last twenty-seven years.

    Auckland • Since Sep 2008 • 11 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I found your show was really enlightening last night Russell. So do you have any idea why this war is so unreported? I mean I'd like to know where those detainees ended up.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    So do you have any idea why this war is so unreported?

    I've got a theory: Hard to get to, often genuinely dangerous, and much more expensive and resource-intensive to cover in depth than a live cross to some Sydney-side tele-bimbo burbling inanities at the première of Baz Luhrmann's new flick about how crappy Nicole Kidman feels about being away from her child for twenty-four hours.

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

  • Roger,

    Our forces were in Bosnia for 12 years on a formal basis and 15 years all-up.

    Three New Zealand Defence Force officers are involved in border observations in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. And NZ has been represented there since 1953. That is an all out war that has not yet officially come to an end!

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    since 1953

    Too quick... I see that this deployment is not continuous

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Our forces were in Bosnia for 12 years on a formal basis

    A lot of the time they were wearing Blue Hats, though weren't they? Maybe it doesn't count...

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Blake Monkley,

    I watched a documentary last night on SBS where a small group of committed Australians who have made it their mission to find asylum seekers the Australian government has rejected. When the Taliban lost Government in late 2001, Australian authorities told them their homeland was now safe. The documentary provides evidence of at least nine Afghan deportees who were killed when sent back home. We learn that the Howard government was deporting people to Syria on short-term visas that are not Syrian. When their Syrian visas run out, they have to go into hiding. Equally disturbing is evidence that Australian government has been knowingly issuing false passports to deport the returnees. Brilliant piece of journalism.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson,

    So do you have any idea why this war is so unreported?

    An extension of what Craig says - there are bugger all networks local to in Afghanistan. Our press is good at covering events that occur in the West - fashion shows, celeb weddings, sports and the financials. For foreign affairs it repackages news from foreign networks. Footage of Baghdad would be shown on Al Jezeera or Al Arabiya with an Arab commentary then 5 hours later would be on CNN with an American accent.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB,

    A lot of the time they were wearing Blue Hats, though weren't they? Maybe it doesn't count...

    Is this a new rule? Cool... I'm not really 40... I was wearing a blue hat for some* of the time....


    * Unfortunately, not enough of the time... I'm probably still way over 39?

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I think with military forces there may be a distinction between a formed unit and individuals assigned to another nations forces.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I wish we had a "vanity" paper like the Independent, as opposed to National party pamphlets.

    I wonder if there's a long term future for daily papers in NZ. They keep going mostly because they have a monopoly in each market and can sell lots of advertising. Trademe is eroding the advertising, and maybe a future left-wing government will do something about the monopoly.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Update from Mr Beatson himself:

    Bosnia was an international intervention in a civil war. We entered it in 1992 by providing 9 UN military observers after a peace agreement had been signed between Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Muslims. We comitted 250 troops to Bosnia in 1994 after a flare-up in the civil conflict. The majority of those troops returned to NZ in 1996.

    We entered Afghanistan as part of a full-throated war of invasion in which the established government [Taliban] of Afghanistan - not just the Al Qaeda terrorists were the declared enemy. We came in on the second wave of the invasion to engage in combat not peace-keeping. I guess that's the difference.

    So technically Bosnia stays in, but as David points out, the two deployments aren't greatly comparable.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Ellis,

    Oh, but all of you are missing the point. The point is, JOHN KEY WOULD HAVE SENT TROOPS TO IRAQ AND 60 SOLDIERS WOULD HAVE RETURNED HOME IN BODY-BAGS!!!

    We know this is true because Prime Minister Helen Clark said it. So any critical analysis of New Zealand's involvement in Afghanistan under Helen Clark's watch is just treasonous, anti-Labour Party propaganda.

    Auckland • Since Sep 2008 • 11 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Dear Tim

    Piss off
    Stronger letter follows

    Regards
    Mark

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Dear Mark

    Please allow me to add my name to your previous correspondence, and any future correspondence on this subject.

    Regards
    Paul

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I wish we had a "vanity" paper like the Independent, as opposed to National party pamphlets.

    It would be rather nice if Auckland could sustain seven daily newspapers, but I don't see it happening any time soon. And, Rich, I still don't see any future Labour-lead government being in any hurry to get into the newspaper game. I'm sure they can find more agreeable red ink generators.

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

  • Stephen Judd,

    I wish we had a "vanity" paper like the Independent, as opposed to National party pamphlets.

    We have canvassed a similar idea in this forum before (establishing a non-profit org to fund journalism).

    If nobody else steps up, organising it might become my project for next year.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    "agreeable red ink generators" - is that secret code for bureaucrats? :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    It would be rather nice if Auckland could sustain seven daily newspapers, but I don't see it happening any time soon. And, Rich, I still don't see any future Labour-lead government being in any hurry to get into the newspaper game. I'm sure they can find more agreeable red ink generators.

    You're right, we're not likely to see a Kiwibank of print media. However, if the proposed Kiwi Ofcom comes to pass, and it's extended to cover print media, some much needed competition may not be that far-fetched.

    Failing that, some organised consumer vigilantism might do the trick.

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

  • Dinah Dunavan,

    (establishing a non-profit org to fund journalism)

    Here's an example.

    Dunedin • Since Jun 2008 • 186 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Dinah: that sounds just like what i had in mind.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    How does "Pundit" fit in the scheme?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Litterick,

    If nobody else steps up, organising it might become my project for next year.

    An excellent idea, Stephen.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    How does "Pundit" fit in the scheme?t

    I think it was Chase me, ladies, I'm in the cavalry who said:
    Can anyone think of a blogger who calls themselves "anything-pundit" who isn't a staggeringly hateful arse?

    Hope that helps.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

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