Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

897 Responses

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  • Ben Austin,

    Thanks for the information all.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Mayor Bob Parker’s comment that he couldn’t declare a state of emergency was met with jeers of derision from the affected.

    Having the legal authority to do so doesn't mean that you should. Good on him for not acting reflexively, which is precisely what is needed in a leader. He's only Mayor of Christchurch, not CD Controller for Canterbury. Going off half-cocked is a superb way to ensure that things get fucked up completely.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    When I quoted Vicki Anderson's piece, I was actually thinking of her thoughts on media coverage, not that aside about Parker.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Tamara,

    Our thoughts are with you all from up here in Auckland and wishing we could do more to help. We have some family in Christchurch who we haven't heard from so hopefully no news is good news.

    New Zealand • Since Oct 2010 • 115 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Russell Brown,

    It’s better than that. He wrote that Guardian piece on his phone.

    At 2am.

    Truly a superhero!! And I'm glad he and family have somewhere sane to stay. I was thinking of them worriedly last night before I had power on and knew they were OK.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    I'm glad. And glad too to hear that David's family is OK. Woke up this morning and thought how lucky I was to be waking up in a comfortable bed after a good night's sleep - unlike some of those poor souls waiting, possibly injured, definitely frightened and shocked, for rescue.

    Jacki, you've captured my thoughts too, thank you.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Vicki Anderson's piece

    This wee detail struck me:

    A male colleague who is always immaculately dressed and who speaks like a BBC newsreader had clearly been so frightened that he had wet himself.

    For some inexplicable reason it was this sight that made me realise the enormity of what we had experienced.

    The naked desperation and fear we all felt was manifest on his pants.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • sally jones, in reply to Tamara,

    Our thoughts are with you all from up here in Auckland and wishing we could do more to help.

    Yes. Exactly.
    I just want to congratulate the PAS community for being there for each other. It's so hard to know what to say, but you guys know. Even when expressing anger, your togetherness shines through. I think that must be the best we can do.

    Auckland • Since Sep 2010 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Ross Mason,

    I am stunned.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Emily Perkins has just tweeted confirming the safety of a bunch of people, including Philip Matthews and Rachael King.

    Still waiting on Ian D, but I’ve asked a number of people for news.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Good to hear thanks Russell. Wondered about Philip as he was an early reporter last time and this time must have been in the middle of it.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    When I quoted Vicki Anderson’s piece, I was actually thinking of her thoughts on media coverage, not that aside about Parker.

    Qute – and on that score I couldn’t agree more. For all my cynicism about New Zealand’s media culture, I think they’re well-aware that crossing the line into voyeuristic death porn will cause a swift and brutal backlash. With the live feeds I saw yesterday, I was pleasantly impressed by the lack of "shove a camera down the throat of the crying woman" vox pops.

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

  • George Darroch,

    With the live feeds I saw yesterday, I was pleasantly impressed by the lack of "shove a camera down the throat of the crying woman" vox pops.

    Some of that was due to police keeping the media away from victims - and they're also keeping media away from collapsed buildings where people are surviving and dying. But yeah, remarkably tasteful coverage. John Campbell and Hilary Barry particularly have been outstanding.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    God, John Key just took me to the edge of tears with his speech. Exceptional circumstances.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to George Darroch,

    Is it online somewhere George?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Whoops, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Agree - for a short amount of time one of the channels (tv1?) was running footage of the guy being pulled from his car with a massive head injury. I'm fairly certain he was deceased... once someone in the control room worked out what the situation was they stopped using it pretty quickly.

    here • Since Apr 2007 • 105 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Let me take that back. People are dying in the rubble, and the press gallery are asking questions about VISITORS TO THE FUCKING RUGBY WORLD CUP.

    Vulturous scum.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Paul, perhaps it will be on the TV3/TVNZ websites?

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to George Darroch,

    Vulturous scum.

    That's the bit I caught streaming on TVNZ. Seriously? Cancel the damn thing, for all the people waiting to be rescued or families with loved ones in hospitals or morgues around the city care.

    Time and place. Time and place.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to recordari,

    Time and place. Time and place.

    QFT. And while the economic impact (yes, the dollar and the stock market took a hit) is a legitimate news story, I’m afraid it’s not really one I fig about. The impact on the RWC – so spectacularly irrelevant right now it verges on bad bad taste.

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

  • Patrick Xavier,

    What can we do to make sure that the media gives absolutely no space or credibility to this idiot, whose previous tendency for post-quake self-aggrandisement in NZ is undermined by this comprehensive debunking?

    Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    the guy who makes coffee downstairs says the insurers took a hit on the sharemarket yesterday, while Fletcher Challenge was well up.

    nice to see the financial types are as "practical" as some MSM.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Will Mr Key still be going to the Royal Wedding?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    One thing I found strange in TV3's coverage last night was a specific long-winded warning from Hilary Barry that they were about to show "raw from the camera" footage from the CTV building and people should be warned. She continued to apologise over top of the footage as a body covered in a blood-soaked sheet was removed and then placed alongside a row of similar sheets.
    Yet they then repeatedly showed ONLY that scene from the footage? It was an odd situation to have been apologising for possibly graphic imagery and then actively choose to show only that graphic imagery again and again.
    Just one observation amongst what seemed to be otherwise a professional job in extremely tricky conditions.

    Been trying to keep the 2yo away from some of the imagery, but he seemed to get this morning that the video of all those ambulances in the park were there for "go to hostipal?"

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    nice to see the financial types are as "practical" as some MSM.

    Well, at least that's their job - and they're hardly going to sell Fletchers down. Journalists who can't think of legitimate questions have no such excuse.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

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