WINZ and Super Scandals
Here’s the scandal.
Media
journalism
Giovanni Tiso: Speaking Power to the Truth – The Political Assassination of Metiria Turei
Giovanni Tiso writes on New Zealand media and the swimming of sharks.
The SST does not understand electoral law
The Sunday Star Times has hinted that there is something sinister with Labour’s art auction fundraisers. But a closer look suggests that the rules are being followed assiduously.
What are our SAS up to? An easy to digest guide!
A short video looking at the major issues in the Hager/Stephenson book ‘Hit and Run’
Corbyn-esque NZ
This post was written and ready to go and then news of Metiria Turei stepping down hit. Some of it might read a little strangely because of that. I’ve changed some of the tenses used.
Breaking: calls for Paddy Gower’s resignation as MSM slips in its own bullshit
Last night all the excitement finally caught up with them, leading to calls for Paddy Gower to resign and for MSM organisations to delete their social media accounts.
The Failed Estate – Flake News
Mr Denmore of the failed estate explores the increasing irrelevance that Rupert Murdoch’s tabloids are having on Australian politics.
Nats default to bully mode over Barclay scandal
The ongoing Barclay scandal has taking a familiar turn, with the PM’s office trying dirty tactics on journalists. Meanwhile the pressure builds on English over Barclay’s taxpayer funded disappearing act.
Who are the real enemies of the centre left?
Simon Wilson recently claimed that left wingers and party members are problems for and enemies of Labour and the Greens. This is why I think he is wrong.
Journalism matters
Who will tell us the truth in election year?
Hager Hit & Run and NZ’s Asian wars
Nicky Hager will talk about his book Hit and Run, and the issues it raises about New Zealand’s values and role in the world at 5:30pm on Wednesday 7th June at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington. The book is about important events and the incoherence of New Zealand fighting it’s longest ever war in Central Asia. This talk is particularly timely in view of this week’s visit of the American Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.
NZDF changes story on Operation Burnham photos
Why did the NZDF wrongly claim that there were no photographs of the mission? Intelligence analyst Dr Paul Buchanan has a suggestion.
How much information is being withheld from us?
Covering up inconvenient truths is an old pattern for this government. What percentage of their effort goes in to obfuscating and hiding the facts?
MSD tried to shut down housing providers
An attempt to gag emergency housing providers got quickly withdrawn when Checkpoint started making enquiries. Given this government’s record, it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that there will be further attempts to shut down bad news.
Morning Report up – Mike Hosking down
Perhaps we the people want real news after all? Time for a change?
Rod Oram told the truth once too often?
Seems that our media no longer has room for balanced voices.
More love for Labour’s list
Herald: “It is a fresh-looking line-up, led by MPs who have been in opposition long enough to have won their spurs and feel they are more than ready to move into the Beehive.”
RNZ: The 9th floor – Clark
“We don’t have a written constitution so nowhere is it written down what are the powers of the Prime Minister. It’s partly your personality. It’s the skills that you’ve got and it’s how you use the office”.
Pencilsword on renting
Pencilsword does brilliant analysis and commentary in cartoon form. Go check out the latest on the invisible rental crisis…
RNZ: The 9th floor – Shipley
“During the day we spent with Shipley she said New Zealand needs to take the “blowtorch” to middle class welfare, with student allowances and healthcare areas where middle and higher income earners should pay more.” “I believe in leadership, not political occupancy.”
RNZ: The 9th floor – Bolger
“He says neo-liberalism has failed and suggests unions should have a stronger voice. He says Treaty of Waitangi settlements may not be full and final and that Māori language tuition should be compulsory in primary schools.”
RNZ: The 9th floor – Moore
Guyon Espiner’s excellent RNZ series The 9th Floor, consists of interviews with five ex NZ PMs. Here’s Mike Moore.
Help Scoop ‘Open the Election’ : The Open News Project
Help Scoop supercharge our 2017 election journalism.
Help Scoop ‘open the election’
It is the last day of the Scoop fundraising project, and still some way to go to reach the goal. Help out if you can.
Framing Syria
If you’re determined to believe that western liberal democracy is essentially benign and only ever makes mistakes and honest mis-judgements, or is something that’s sometimes marred by an odd ‘bad apple’ or two, then this post on Syria probably isn’t the post for you.
Mediawatch on Hit and Run
“Has the meaning of book Hit and Run been obscured by all the claims and counter-claims in the media?” – Yes of course it has, and that is a deliberate strategy on the part of people who are desperate to avoid an inquiry.
RNZ: The 9th floor – Palmer
On RNZ Guyon Espiner is running what will be a fascinating series, The 9th Floor, consisting of interviews with five ex NZ PMs. First up on Friday was Sir Geoffrey Palmer, “reflecting on the revolutionary fourth Labour government and his year as one of its three Prime Ministers”.
Independent media a losing battle
Unfolding in Australia, but obviously relevant here, bad news for Farifax media staff and their editorial independence.
Conflict of interest what conflict of interest?
The lobbying body for fishing industry and Nathan Guy who is the responsible minister think there is no conflict of interest in the lobbying body inheriting huge powers previously held by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The NZDF will never clear its name – and neither will Bill English
It’s likely that some time this week Bill English will announce that there will be no inquiry into operation Burnham. The NZDF will lose any opportunity to clear its name. Fronting up to the truth, whatever it may be, is better than the perception of a shabby coverup.
Update: And there it is – no inquiry.
Spinoff series – rent week
While much of the coverage of the housing crisis focuses on buyers, the situation facing renters is just as bad. Last week The Spinoff ran an excellent series on renting in NZ: “It’s getting desperate out there”.
Mosul and Aleppo. They’re spelled differently.
Not so much a tale of two cities as the tales we were spun in relation to one.
What is the story?
I’m finding that the way that stories are reported rather interesting and full of hidden bias. Looking at the London attack and the “Hit and Run” stories, you have to ask about what editors and some journalists choose to focus on in stories. They often seem to miss the point about why things happen and what the consequences are.
Hit and Run
The book’s synopsis, background, and Q and A from Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson.
Nicky Hager’s book launch
A post to allow discussion on Nicky Hager’s book launch scheduled for 5 pm today.
People’s Commission on Public Broadcasting and Media
Is having a strong, independent media an essential part of a functioning democracy? What is the role of the ‘Fourth Estate’ in today’s world? Are the media doing a good job of keeping citizens informed?
People’s Commission has its final workshops in Auckland, and how to submit online