Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Strange days for journalism

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  • Sacha,

    Last.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    Gina Rinehart's moves on Fairfax are not unlike that of Reverend Moon and the Washington Times - it's never turned a profit since its founding, relies on cross-subsidies from the Unification Church, and exists largely to serve as Rev Moon's mouthpiece.

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

  • Merrin Macleod,

    Gina Rinehart has also just increased her already substantial investment in Network Ten - an interesting media mogul in the making.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2012 • 1 posts Report

  • James Butler,

    That's Gina "Vogon Poet" Rinehart, right? God. What a perfect storm of ignorance, vanity and power.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Merrin Macleod,

    Gina Rinehart has also just increased her already substantial investment in Network Ten – an interesting media mogul in the making.

    "Interesting" is perhaps not the word I'd choose.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to James Butler,

    Amazingly public-spirited of her to dig for the world's poor. Give the woman a medal. Or at least control of public discourse.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Scott Chris,

    The principal impediment to that goal is her refusal to sign the board’s charter of editorial independence.

    Ideally the separation between media ownership and editorial control would be enshrined in law. If a corporate entity wishes to exercise its freedom of expression is should do so through the appropriate channel - that being paid advertising.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    To lessen the fear the media have caused over these issues, Mrs Rinehart suggests that the media should also permit to be published that climate change has been occurring naturally since the earth began, not just the views of the climate extremists.

    There's paranoid claims of vindictive censorship and then there's....this.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Scott Chris,

    Ideally the separation between media ownership and editorial control would be enshrined in law. If a corporate entity wishes to exercise its freedom of expression is should do so through the appropriate channel - that being paid advertising.

    +1

    What with this and the Govt's evidence-free policies, I'm scared.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Scott Chris, in reply to James Butler,

    What a perfect storm of ignorance, vanity and power.

    That is why she requires three seats on the board. (LoL @ Vogon poetry reference)

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    To lessen the fear the media have caused

    She's thinking of the children.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

    Not de-railing, I hope, to link to Tumeke's post about Igloo.
    Like many here I'm deeply unhappy about the way we've handed much of our broadcasting over to Sky. Watching TVNZ climb into bed with them is just sad.
    In mining terms, igloo is aimed at picking over the tailings- getting those of us who don't want to pay for tv on board.
    But jeepers- the igloo 'privacy' policy Tumeke links to is remarkable.
    Eg:

    IGLOO Privacy Policy.

    1. PRIVACY STATEMENT
    1.1 Your privacy: IGLOO Limited ("IGLOO") is committed to ensuring the privacy of your information, and will hold all personal information collected in association with IGLOO in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1993.
    1.2 Information: This Privacy Policy applies to:
    (a) personal information submitted by you on this website and otherwise in the course of using any IGLOO services, whether by way of this website, any IGLOO set top box or otherwise (the "IGLOO services"); and
    (b) any information automatically retrieved during visits to this website.
    1.3 Your consent: By accessing and browsing this website and/or using the IGLOO services, you consent to the collection, use, disclosure, storage and processing of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
    1.4 Changes to Privacy Policy: We may modify, alter or otherwise update this Privacy Policy from time to time, with or without notice to you. Such amendments will be effective immediately upon the posting of the amended Privacy Policy on this website. You agree to check this Privacy Policy and to be bound by the Privacy Policy that is in effect at the time you access this website.

    So- even accessing the website on which their privacy policy resides, gives them 'your consent' to collect and use information about you.
    How do they want to use it?

    3.3 Use of information: Your personal information will only be used to:
    (a) provide the IGLOO services to you;
    (b) verify that you are entitled to register as an IGLOO subscriber;
    (c) communicate with you and/or your household in relation to this website, the IGLOO services, and/or your IGLOO subscription;
    (d) keep you informed of and promote current or planned products and/or services of IGLOO and our selected business partners; and
    (e) conduct market research and generate and provide statistical analysis and rating information.
    3.4 Disclosure of information: Unless you have authorised us to do so, IGLOO will not rent or sell your personal information and will not disclose it to any third party except:
    (a) where disclosure is connected to the purposes for which the information was collected as listed in clause 3.3;
    (b) to our service providers, communications and network operators and selected business partners ("Authorised Partners");
    (c) to relevant authorities, parties and/or applicable intellectual property rights holders (or their representatives) if we consider that you are in breach of IGLOO's rights; or
    (d) where required, or permitted, by law.

    So they won't be handing your info out on the street corner. Probably. Unless they feel like it, or change their policy, or...

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    You know how it's illegal for New Zealanders to make atomic bombs? Maybe Aussie should have a similar law banning its nationals from owning media empires.

    More seriously we (as in every nation that purports to be a democracy) need media ownership laws. Nobody should be allowed to personally control more than 10% of a newspaper/TV station and any corporate should be restricted to one large circulation newspaper or one TV station.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Through such unfortunate ignorance, too much abuse is hurled
    Against miners, workers and related industries who strive to build the world

    What is wrong with this sentence?
    a. It’s not a sentence.
    b. It rolls of the tongue like a shard of glass.
    c. Miners and related industries do not build, they destroy the world.
    d. It lumps workers in with the exploiters.
    This woman is worth her weight in slag.

    eta.
    I just had the unfortunate experience of reading that "poem" out loud to someone.
    It is total bollox.
    Like an Orange Doorhinge.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Martin Lindberg, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    You know how it's illegal for New Zealanders to make atomic bombs?

    Umm no - is it?

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report

  • Ben Curran, in reply to Lilith __,

    Justifiably so. The detachment form reality based policy/journalism is ... alarming.

    Since May 2011 • 47 posts Report

  • slarty,

    Looks like a Hollywood plot line doesn't it?

    I am increasingly coming to the view that the only sustainable business model for the media is that of a worker cooperative... or maybe The Guardian...

    Since Nov 2006 • 290 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Umm no - is it?

    Yes. Section 5 of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 says:

    5 Prohibition on acquisition of nuclear explosive devices
    (1) No person, who is a New Zealand citizen or a person ordinarily resident in New Zealand, shall, within the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone,—
    (a) manufacture, acquire, or possess, or have control over, any nuclear explosive device; or
    (b) aid, abet, or procure any person to manufacture, acquire, possess, or have control over any nuclear explosive device.

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

  • Angus Robertson,

    To press her case, Rinehart has now threatened to sell off her holding if she does not get her way -- which would undoubtedly see Fairfax shares tank.

    Without Rinehart the shares would be worthless. Fairfax don't make any money. The shares would become so worthless the company would probably be asset stripped and sold off piecemeal with thousands more people losing their jobs.

    The damage is building. Yesterday, the Sydney Morning Herald's editor Amanda Wilson and editor-in-chief Peter Fray announced to their staff that they were leaving their roles. The editor of the Melbourne Age, Paul Ramadge, announced that he was leaving too.

    This "damage" has nothing to do with Rinehart. She does not control seats on the board that made the decision to downsize Fairfax operations.

    And these are strange days for journalism.

    They are indeed, but don't worry about that - because a scapegoat has been found. She is Australian, a mining magnate, has disagreeable politics, resembles a fat interstellar slug creature and apparently its her fault.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    Without Rinehart the shares would be worthless. Fairfax don’t make any money. The shares would become so worthless the company would probably be asset stripped and sold off piecemeal with thousands more people losing their jobs

    That would certainly happen if she dumped her shares, yes. That’s the basis of the threat.

    This “damage” has nothing to do with Rinehart. She does not control seats on the board that made the decision to downsize Fairfax operations.

    And you seriously believe her campaigning has had no impact on the board’s decisions? Okay …

    And these are strange days for journalism.

    They are indeed, but don’t worry about that – because a scapegoat has been found. She is Australian, a mining magnate, has disagreeable politics, resembles a fat interstellar slug creature and apparently its her fault.

    Oh, for god’s sake Angus. Rinehart wants to do away with Fairfax’s charter of editorial independence. She’s made plain that she will dictate editorial lines if she gets the opportunity. She wants to turn Fairfax into a megaphone for her commercial interests.

    She is already promoting Andrew Bolt, an overtly racist columnist best known for his creepy denial of the “stolen generation”. She is currently enmeshed in a court action that will probably sent the editors of West Australian newspaper to jail for refusing to disclose their sources. (Her belief is that the paper spoke to her son, who she slapped with a gagging order.) She would use board power dictate an editorial line on climate change that is anti-scientific balderdash.

    She has, according to her biographer, a contempt for journalism and journalists.

    Yeah, I’d be a bit worried about someone like that controlling the majority of New Zealand’s newspapers. It would be delusional not to.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • izogi, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    You beat me to it. On a re-read, does it prevent visitors from manufacturing nuclear weapons within New Zealand? Section 5 certainly doesn't seem to do so by my reading. It only refers to New Zealand citizens and ordinary residents.

    Section 8 clearly says that nobody can manufacture biological weapons, sections 6 and 7 prevent transporting, storing and stockpiling and testing of nuclear explosives, but don't discuss manufacturing. Section 5 says New Zealanders can't help anyone to manufacture nuclear weapons, so it'd probably be tricky all the same, but trying to imagine situations, maybe a foreign embassy without any ordinary residents or citizens presnet could technically set up a nuke factory from which they export or something.......

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report

  • Scott Chris, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    She is Australian, a mining magnate, has disagreeable politics, resembles a fat interstellar slug creature and apparently its her fault.

    I think it's more to do with the ideas she espouses. Fortunately she doesn't appear to be that smart so perhaps she should simply be given enough rope with which to hang herself. Mind you, Donald Trump still gets political traction in spite of himself.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report

  • Kyle MacDonald,

    Attachment

    I loved this from a friend
    "Mock fairfax news page if Gina Rinehart gets a board seat"
    http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz09kfFQ2P1r9ygsdo1_1280.jpg

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 82 posts Report

  • Toby,

    On connection between the Rinehart/Fairfax stuff and the wider plight of journalism, this piece is worth a look. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4087024.html

    pt chev • Since Mar 2011 • 27 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Kyle MacDonald,

    Andrew Holden, Press editor, takes over at The Age.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/7171985/Christchurch-Press-editor-to-head-Melbourne-Age

    Bugger; damn shame for the Press.

    (Standalone post -- Not meant to be a reply to Kyle)

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

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