Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: UPDATED: Media Take: Election Songs

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  • Hilary Stace,

    What about the cover of the rugby magazine with John Key pretending to be an All Black? It is in every book and magazine shop and dairy across NZ. Surely that is an election advertisement. Much more so than a song or a former MP's dresses.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    What about the cover of the rugby magazine with John Key pretending to be an All Black? It is in every book and magazine shop and dairy across NZ. Surely that is an election advertisement. Much more so than a song or a former MP's dresses.

    That's "news".

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, in reply to Idiot Savant,

    Specifically, it's little blurrier, since I think the Commission (rightly or wrongly) has regarded it as falling within the 'editorial content of a periodical' exception to the definition of 'election advertisement' (not 'news' per se).

    Nevertheless, that doesn't mean its ruling on Watson's song is correct and I agree with Russell that it needs testing - Watson's doing us all a service for taking the point.

    And in any case, Jono and Ben spoof is absolutely fantastic: this sort of satire should only be encouraged, surely!

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 33 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant, in reply to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere,

    And in any case, Jono and Ben spoof is absolutely fantastic: this sort of satire should only be encouraged, surely!

    Yes - but what politician will vote to repeal a ban on satirising politicians?

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    The Electoral Commission seems to have really jumped the shark with this one.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Samuel Scott,

    I don't even want to listen to that @peace song. I love the band and think Tom has a remarkable way with words, but pushing boundaries can easily slip into being totally awful. He seems almost contrite now on twitter. Claiming he was just trying to get attention to encourage young people to vote. Maybe.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Broadcasting Act charges have a six month time limit, so Jono and Ben are now in the clear.

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

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    What about the cover of the rugby magazine with John Key pretending to be an All Black? It is in every book and magazine shop and dairy across NZ. Surely that is an election advertisement.

    If you see a poster advertising the cover, feel free to complain about that to the Electoral Commission :-)

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

  • Lucy Telfar Barnard,

    Are there any instances of the Electoral Commission making dubious rulings about songs denegrating the left? Or is it just the right that get this sort of protection? Or (more probably) is it only the right that have protest songs written about them?

    At the moment it's feeling very difficult not to look at the stance the Electoral Commission has taken, and look at who their Minister is, and not just wonder a little about the "independence" thing.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 585 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    The sentiment in the title of ‘Kill the PM’ crosses a line and the stuff about Key’s daughter more particularly crosses several more. I think the song has been played live by @Peace and Home Brew before, but posting it now is really Not Helping. Fucksake.

    Safe to say it's all in the Crimes Act 1961.

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

  • Pharmachick,

    I think both the left and the right have a broad allowance for strong speech along with their strong beliefs. But this really crosses the line - inciting murder and sexual violence is sickening. It is not edgy. It is not cool. And I absolutely respect the author of this post for calling the band out on this.

    Since Apr 2009 • 36 posts Report

  • Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, in reply to Idiot Savant,

    Yes – but what politician will vote to repeal a ban on satirising politicians?

    Except we *don't* have a ban on that; not explicitly at least. The High Court in Watson's application for review has a chance to make that clear. No vote in Parliament needed, thank goodness.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 33 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Pharmachick,

    I think both the left and the right have a broad allowance for strong speech along with their strong beliefs. But this really crosses the line – inciting murder and sexual violence is sickening. It is not edgy. It is not cool. And I absolutely respect the author of this post for calling the band out on this.

    It seems like Tom thought shocking people would draw attention to his sincere message about voting. It won't and it doesn't deserve to.

    Ironically, it's a great groove. But I won't even be linking to it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Michael J. Parry, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    If you see a poster advertising the cover, feel free to complain about that to the Electoral Commission :-)

    Serious question though - when have the police ever actually progressed an Electoral Commission referral to the stage of pressing charges?

    Dannevirke/Wellington • Since Feb 2012 • 9 posts Report

  • Andrew Geddis, in reply to Michael J. Parry,

    Serious question though - when have the police ever actually progressed an Electoral Commission referral to the stage of pressing charges?

    They do it sometimes in relation to people who "double vote". But in regards other matters … never, to my knowledge.

    Hey - the system works!

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2007 • 206 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens, in reply to Pharmachick,

    When people are voiceless, they will have temper tantrums like a little child who has not been paid attention to.

    -- Martin Luther King, Jr. July, 1967

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I will wait for Slater, Farrar, Hooton and Odgers to be charged for their rather more substantive conspiracy, then. Think I'll be waiting a while.

    (Paremoremo's convenient for Warkworth though - maybe they'll give Farrar day release to attend foo camp?)

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    Are you explaining or excusing there, Tom?

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Dean Wallis,

    Point Chevalier • Since Jan 2013 • 45 posts Report

  • Mick Buckley,

    Attachment

    Northland rugby breached the electoral act with its 'Cheering For Northland' billboard. There were complaints to the electoral commission and they made a slight alterations, removing the Na characters (start of the National logo) but leaving the image of John Key. Last time I looked the billboards were still up.

    Northland • Since Aug 2014 • 7 posts Report

  • bob daktari, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Ironically, it's a great groove. But I won't even be linking to it.

    let down by such pathetic lyrics - they're way better than this, could have been a great song but alas not so

    Must admit I find it funny many involved in Dirty Politics directly have taken such a dim view (understatement) of the song, do these people not have mirrors?

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    And the following year, just before he was assassinated, he said:

    "I think that we've got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard."

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

  • Luke Williamson,

    Love @Peace/Homebrew but definitely do not love that song. Take it back, start again.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to bob daktari,

    do these people not have mirrors?

    Ya have to show up in mirrors!

    They're only just barely videogenic
    and register in Dorian Grayscale...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    Serious question though - when have the police ever actually progressed an Electoral Commission referral to the stage of pressing charges?

    They do it sometimes in relation to people who "double vote". But in regards other matters … never, to my knowledge.

    A couple of elections ago, before this all became a big thing, with lots of complaints, I understand TVNZ was prosecuted and convicted for airing an advertisement during the closing statements.

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

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