Civil war wasn’t inevitable – but it may be
How misinformation and lies created the environment for battle in the US and elsewhere
Media
Mountain Tui: Who will hold Chris Luxon and Shane Reti accountable for the Health NZ deception?
Since Shane Reti and Christopher Luxon announced the Health NZ cost “blowout” and an unexpected deficit, the truth has emerged, and it’s all becomes stranger than fiction. Which claims were accurate? And which seemed to be a case of misrepresentation?
UK Covid deaths with no underlying factor.
Oh. But here comes Omicron…
Shattering
When things fall apart, the disintegration can reach such a speed that it’s hard to keep an eye on everything that’s happening. Is liberalism on the cusp?
Back in the U.S.S.A.
The onslaught launched against Trump from sections of corporate media and liberal institutions will look as nothing next to the unified onslaught that will be unleashed against a President Sanders.
The Fourth Estate struggling in the social media world
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog
Ahead of the 2020 General Election in New Zealand, Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that her party is committed to run a factual election and has signed up to a social media tool to help prove it. The 2020 NZ election will be an interesting case study of whether in the social media age there can be honest political debate free of misinformation and manipulation of facts.
An Early Christmas.
Christian tradition dictates Christmas falls on the 25th of December. This year though, if we simply view Christmas through a lens of ‘good things happening’, then Christmas is coming early.
No sense, nonsense and a dearth of common sense.
We wouldn’t tie a rope to a heavy load and then push on the rope with the expectation of achieving anything, right? So why is the Guardian’s Environment Editor entreating that we do just that? Is he merely stupid? Or is there something more cynical at play?
Easy Climate Action
Another promising front is opening that might help encourage people to sit up, take notice, and act.
Media Thriving on its Own Shit.
When purveyors of propaganda come to believe their own spin and start entertaining really quite idiotic conspiracy theories and abandoning any pretense of being in possession of rational thought, then we’ve got a problem.
Yulia wants to go home.
Oops. Was this desire meant to be in the script?
Bullshit upon Bullshit.
Doctors being intimidated.
Labour speaks up.
Partial transcript of a speech as reported in “The Independent”
Metiria for PM
Yes. Quite seriously.
Non-news News and News Non-news
A politician said their party would insist on being a part of government depending on the vote falls in September, while another gets called out for his habitual stirring at the pot of ethnic division. In a place like the South Africa of old, we all know which one would be the story. But this is New Zealand and this is now.
Rod Oram told the truth once too often?
Seems that our media no longer has room for balanced voices.
StuffMe not
As widely reported this morning, the Commerce Commission has declined the proposed merger of the country’s two biggest media companies.
Independent media a losing battle
Unfolding in Australia, but obviously relevant here, bad news for Farifax media staff and their editorial independence.
Vault 7: CIA Hacking Tools Revealed
Some very quick initial thoughts on expected reactions.
Everything Contained. Everyone Led.
So what’s important? Millions on the streets and what might become of that, or how many more or fewer people attended a given President’s big day? Just asking…
Whaleoil and Rachinger – the final chapter starts
In the Manakau District Court later this morning the trial of Ben Rachinger on fraud charges related to a admitted solicitation attempt to hack this site by Cameron Slater begins. The trial is set down for 5 days. Unfortunately I won’t be there. However there aren’t any court orders to prevent me from expressing my views and advice on the trial.
What skills do we need in the age of fake news?
Revelations surrounding the role of fake news in the American election have been stunning. And the critical thinking skills that democracy needs to survive this trend are under attack in our education system.
Fairfax-NZME merger declined
Good call from the Commerce Commission.
Eagle vs Window Pane
So Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership has been openly challenged.
The silence of the lambs – media (not) on McCully
Interesting discussion on the silence of the lambs. Where have all the journalists gone?
Fairfax and NZME and merger talks on
As previously discussed here, bad for the media, bad for democracy.
APN Fairfax NZ merger?
A healthy democracy requires a healthy media, and in NZ both are getting sicker.
Praise for Labour’s tertiary bombshell
Although there have been predictable howls of outrage from the usual suspects, the media reaction to Labour’s bold tertiary education policy has been generally great.
TV3’s woes and a media bouquet
Excellent piece on TV3’s woes at Spinoff this morning. It’s a grim picture for news over all, and we are much the poorer for it. (Bonus bouquet to Kirsty Johnston at The Herald for her current series on education.)
Stewart on our rubbish media
Rachel Stewart has had some time out with the flu (sorry to hear it). It has left her with time to reflect on our media…
Key out of touch
The “rags to riches” narrative is changing to “out of touch”.
An open letter to Andrew Little
A respectful open letter to Andrew Little with suggestions for how to win the next election!
The media bloodbath
On Alastair Thompson’s “Media Bloodbath” piece and more. Privately owned media will not in the future have a hope of delivering quality news services in this country. If we think that matters, then a strong publicly funded media presence is the only way forward.
O’Sullivan on Campbell, Weldon and Key
So it’s not just loonie leftie bloggers noting the political element to the attack on Campbell Live.
Campbell live and politicisation of media
The attack on Campbell Live appears to be political.
John Key’s Lies Since The 2014 Election
The most egregious feature remains the sheer banality. Its like John Key can’t help himself. Because most National Ltd™ voters really don’t care and because the MSM just accepts the deceit as “one of those things,” he’s been able to get away with it scot-free for more than six years.