Being media again

Written By: - Date published: 12:15 pm, June 25th, 2014 - 47 comments
Categories: admin, notices, The Standard - Tags:

Dolphin Over World 2010I’ll be in Wellington from the 4th to the 7th for the Labour party congress on the 5-6th. I’ll be on a media pass again which will relieve me of the duties that I have usually had to undergo as a delegate, like having to think too much.

This will be the first congress I have attended as media. Congresses are held during election year and don’t have the remit load and lobbying of the conferences held in non-election years. As the Labour party website 1 says

This year’s Congress is focussed on preparing and planning our nationwide election campaign, featuring training sessions for candidates, managers and organisers It’s a great opportunity to engage, learn and be inspired along with other candidates, MP’s, Party officials, activists and members. 

From my vague recollections of how we journalists 2 are treated at congress, I suspect that I will have a lot of time on my hands. We’re locked out of most of the interesting bits of a congress.

So if you can figure out who I am 3, come up and say hello. Unlike the hidden ogre/sysop persona I use on this site, I’m apparently much more social and nicer in person – at least when I’m not writing code.

If you’re around Wellington, labour or not, then you can come along to hear David Cunliffe’s speech on Sunday. The email I got today said 4 …

On the Sunday (July 6), I’ll be delivering my Leader’s Address to Labour Party members and other interested members of the public.

I’d love for you to join me on Sunday 6 July from 1.00pm at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. Click here to join me.

This is going to be a big speech. In it, I’ll be laying out the positive vision that Labour is going to take to voters in this year’s election and some of the policies that will define the 6th Labour Government.

Hundreds of people have already RSVP’ed. Can you join us? Click here or on the button below to RSVP.

RSVP Here

I’m really looking forward to seeing you there. I’m so excited to share Labour’s positive vision with you.


David Cunliffe,
Labour Leader.

PS. We are saving special seats for Labour Party members at my speech on Sunday. If you’re a party member or a member of an affiliated union, just bring your proof of membership along and we will make sure you get the best seats!

Somehow I think that media will be getting good seats as well. If not then I’m sure that I have one of those scraps of paper around.

 

 

  1. Hey, they are finally using that new domain name from 2008 – labourparty.org.nz. I haven’t noticed that before. Reminds me that I should finally offload the labour.co.nz domain name that I got back in the early 90’s for Helen’s email to the labour party if they want it. It has been redirecting to labour.org.nz ever since they set up their website.
  2. After listening to the appeal at the high court earlier in the week, I agree with David Fisher at the Herald.  It is my opinion that the decision will make at a minimum anyone who writes and publishes regular observations on the news to be able to claim to be a journalist under s86 of the Evidence Act 2006. So Cameron Slater, the authors here, phil ure and indeed most political bloggers will be. I suspect that many of the regular commenters here may be able to as well. However the odd earlier decision make journalists writing books about politics like David Fisher, Nicky Hager, or even the rather weird works of pseudo-fantasy from Ian Wishart will not be protected in the same way despite those books often breaking news and using the same techniques as journalists in a longer format. Go figure..
  3. I really don’t like the idea of being a media personality. I’m barely coping with the shock of probably being regarded in law as a journalist. I haven’t left many photos on the various evolutions of the net over the last 3 decades.  So you’re unlikely to recognize me. But I suspect in a few weeks a decision about the law will tell me that I can at least in part legally protect my sources of information.
  4. If anyone wants to get pedantic about this, as far as I am concerned that extract is covered by the notice at the foot of this page.

 

47 comments on “Being media again ”

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  1. dimebag russell 1
    25 June 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I hope you dont get kathrun ryun sindrum.
    she has this english Dame on just so she can copy the plum in her froat.
    hope its not catching!

    • lprent 1.1
      25 June 2014 at 2:33 pm

      I seldom bother speaking at political events so there is no fear of that. And usually when I start speaking politics to other individuals, they seldom have time to notice my accent. I tend to be a bit like my comments, full of detail and opinion. 🙂

    • greywarbler 1.2
      25 June 2014 at 2:55 pm

      Dimebag
      Kathryn Ryan is just fine. The whole package. The accent if any is not hard to take and if it differs as she speaks to Dame Anne?, who is quite a gal and worth listening to, just remember how good with speech some of these announcers and interviewers are – some can adopt an accent and get it spot on.

      Don’t pick the good people to bits. Feed them. don’t peck them. Save the moans for when there is something egregious.

      There are worse things on radio than a slight accent, like a heavy one. I can’t stand nasally USA ones, and Oz too. I notice Asian ones announcing at the airports recently, requires extra concentration to pick up the message.

      • Tracey 1.2.1
        25 June 2014 at 3:13 pm

        except when she says “issues” . Sometimesshe forgets herself and says “ishoos” like the rest of us, but mostly that wierd pronunciation of the affected.

        • Once was Tim 1.2.1.1
          25 June 2014 at 5:33 pm

          🙂
          @Tracey …. if I didn’t know otherwise, I’d suspect you as being a Vic Uni Media Studies Lecturer/
          I agree with gw in that she’s by no means the worst of them, but Rinny Ryan’s affectations are bloody amusing at times. I’m not sure whether the problem with Nine-Noon is Rinny or her producer. I suspect it’s the former because locums are always better when the work-life-balaced Rinny (complete with diverse portfolio) takes generous leave.
          Best to just have a laugh (like a helluva lot of her colleagues at RNZ when not at work)

          • greywarbler 1.2.1.1.1
            25 June 2014 at 10:36 pm

            Once was Tim
            I wish you wouldn’t denigrate her by calling her Rinny. Maybe she is a relation and you call her that. But it’s a hard job that involves more than speaking in the way that suits you, and she has to know much to carry off her interviews well. Perhaps you have had a go on student radio or local free radio and can speak objectively from personal experience. But I don’t agree with doing the tall poppy on whoever does a reasonable to good job.

            • Once was Tim 1.2.1.1.1.1
              26 June 2014 at 8:30 am

              My real problem with her is that she’s very 3rd way; and acts as an enabler for the right’s growing influence in media (now in public service broadcasting media, and on our last remaining platform) and it’s done in a very slippery manner.
              NinetoNoon’s Monday segment “From the Left and From the Right” is very Fox News.

              We’ll have to agree to disagree.

              I agree many find her a very nice person (including her guests) but I do think (like many journalists) she lives in a comfortable bubble and is unable to allow a true representation of the left.

              I think she’s prone to interject/overtalk/not allow completion of answers to questions that don’t fit with her perspective or world view – fair enough if the interviewee is not actually answering the question.

              I much prefer Lynne Freeman – I can actually listen to the full 3 hours – even Dame Anne from London when Lynne Freeman is ‘in the seat’.

              It’s not at all a question of any tall poppy syndrome – I’m against anything that contributes to that cult of celebrity type journalism that’s now invading everything. (Look at the way they now promote “The Panel”. That’s not Kathryn’s doing of course, but it’s a style she appears comfortable with generally).

              There is a place for her on National Radio of course – maybe a Focus on Politics type programme, or some sort of documentary programme. I’d listen to either.

              As for the Rinny bit …. is it simply not OK because you find her OK but don’t find say Espiner not OK?
              She’s a big girl – she can take it – just like ANY journalist or politician who puts themselves out their and gets amply rewarded for doing so.

              • greywarbler …
                26 June 2014 at 9:21 am

                Tim
                Can you not prioritise who you denigrate? I don’t consider Spinny worth much respect and I don’t like his mind and approach, actually someone came up with Guy Le Spinny which I think is good.

                Rinny is another matter. Kathryn is more than just a nice person. It seems to me she deserves respect for her knowledge and being thorough in her questioning. But then I thought that gardening lady Maggie was good and nice, and now she has joined NACT and seems one of the chattering classes.

                So I can’t be sure about Ryan but we shouldn’t run down the few people in media who are doing a reasonable job. Give them some slack and go for the egregious ones. It is too easy for us to sit outside the arena and throw stones at the actors. If we have to do some acting ourselves, we learn our own limitations and those imposed from the employer and the system.

                • Once was Tim …
                  26 June 2014 at 2:35 pm

                  “Give them some slack and go for the egregious ones.”
                  I do. I give them the ultimate snub – I ignore them.

                  But that doesn’t mean I think it’s OK for the comfortably off, bubble-infected and influenced to be let off the hook.

                  You might also consider that the term ‘Rinny” might be more one of endearment.
                  (Bless her cotton socks from an ageing curmudgeon).

                  Like I said – we’ll have to agree to disagree.
                  I prefer her when she’s NOT dealing with politics – her Gallery background (naturally) kicks in.

                  When she is however, I’m tempted …. just as Lprent is with the latest (bloody good) post and the dislike of Roughan.

                  Let’s be clear also – she’s not above the cronysim she’d be so bloody quick to deny – like giving ‘spots’ to the neighbours one (I) once went to school with. One such (not a bad journalist), but one who now thinks because of his ‘fame’, he now thinks it is beneath him to even acknowledge a cordial “Good Morning”. My shit isn’t as smelly as his after all.

                  Give that man a go on FIRSTLINE, or THE NATION, or Q + A …. he’s bloody famous (whilst PSB takes another dive into the wilderness).

                  I don’t really go for people who are so far up themselves they can’t see the wood for the trees.
                  It also appears I’m not alone in my opinion amongst her peers BUT I agree – she’s by no means the worst of them. I’d even drive her to her next diving exercise….. maybe even attend a gorgeous little dinner party at my sister’s place with various movers and shakers (and retire at regular intervals to have a puke).

                  GW – let’s just agree to disagree. This is becoming a bit diversionary from what is really important

                  • greywarbler …
                    26 June 2014 at 9:46 pm

                    @ Tim
                    Yes time to stop. But it actually is important that people who do a reasonable job in the media aren’t flayed by those with extreme prejudice and razor sharp critiques. Journalists who do a good job need to be nurtured though disagreed with sometimes.

                    People on the left can be very sharp with those who despite being left leaning, have different views. The RW are all simply focussed on money and ambition and comfort as the RW. Things are fairly straightforward for them.

      • Anne 1.2.2
        25 June 2014 at 6:52 pm

        +1 greywarbler

        I think Kathryn Ryan has one of the best speaking voices on radio. She is clear, concise and very intelligent. It annoys me when some people criticise her for ‘speaking well’. I wish more journalists – and a certain individual called John Key – would follow her example. There is nothing wrong with an educated accent be it English or some other ethnicity. No doubt she had English parents.

        • Once was Tim 1.2.2.1
          26 June 2014 at 2:53 pm

          I’m bloody sure you do Anne. (See above, and at the next gorgeous little gathering – maybe)
          Certainly, as you say – there’s nothing wrong with educated accents or other stuff and things you attach to Rinny. Nothing at all.
          There is something wrong with the ‘put on’ shit. We once used to call it ‘the telephone voice’ or … Mrs Bucket trying to reinvent herself as Mrs Bouquet.
          Christ! Tim ! hold yourself! hold yourself!

          Bye for now Anne and GW. I doubt we’ll re-engage

          • Anne 1.2.2.1.1
            26 June 2014 at 6:48 pm

            Actually Once was Tim I agree with quite a lot you have to say. I confess I hadn’t read your comments in full. Example:

            I agree many find her a very nice person (including her guests) but I do think (like many journalists) she lives in a comfortable bubble and is unable to allow a true representation of the left.

            You’re right. My comment was in agreement with greywarbler that she does speak well and, as it was something drummed in to me as a child by my English mother, I regard it as important. But I accept she, like almost all of our broadcasting/telecasting notables, lives in a comfortable bubble far removed from the existence of those who have been forced into struggling 24/7 just to survive, let alone have any real comfort or luxuries.

            I am aware that many of these “notables” had the advantage of a private education at our various expensive private schools – almost a prerequisite for professional achievement in NZ. Its not talent, intelligence and what you know that counts, but rather who you know and where you went to school. It’s pathetic in the extreme but very true of New Zealand.

  2. Te Reo Putake 2
    25 June 2014 at 12:43 pm

    See you, there, Lynn. I’m also happy to meet up with any Standardistas at congress. Lynn will be able to point me out, but if you can’t track him down, I’m easily recognisable; slim, tall and like a slightly more handsome George Clooney.

    • Anne 2.1
      25 June 2014 at 2:37 pm

      I’m… slim, tall and like a slightly more handsome Goerge Clooney.

      I suggest you look for a slightly shortish guy with slightly grey/brown hair and a slightly grey beard? 😈

      • Te Reo Putake 2.1.1
        25 June 2014 at 2:44 pm

        A lot closer to the mark, Anne. Was once asked if I was Tim Finn, if that helps!

        • RedBaronCV 2.1.1.1
          25 June 2014 at 9:21 pm

          He’s never been tall and slim really – Tim Finn that is.

          • Te Reo Putake 2.1.1.1.1
            25 June 2014 at 9:45 pm

            Me neither!

            Re: your other question way below, I think you’ll probably get in just by turning up, if it’s not packed out. Oddly enough, I attended Robert Muldoon’s final hurrah in Auckland before the ’84 election on that basis. I was just loitering around on the street, when I was asked if I wanted to go in. The joint was half full so they were getting desperate in case the TV cameras caught the lacklustre vibe. I don’t think that’ll be the case for DC 😉

            Alternatively, just give the website your details. Sure, you’ll get regular emails, but you can easily unsubscribe.

  3. karol 3
    25 June 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Look forward to reading your reports hot from the congress, Lynn.

    So, I’m likely to be ungraded to journalist – something that I don’t wish for?

    Though, if I wasn’t near the end of my life of paid work, maybe it’d have looked good on my CV… or not, depending on how my op eds are judged.

    Though, is someone writing op eds for the news media actually regarded as a “journalist”?

    • lprent 3.1
      25 June 2014 at 1:44 pm

      Though, is someone writing op eds for the news media actually regarded as a “journalist”?

      Yes at least with regard to the Evidence Act. The key is in s68(5) of the Evidence Act

      news medium means a medium for the dissemination to the public or a section of the public of news and observations on news

      I’m expecting the decision to come down that means in effect that if you write anything about news and publish it then you’re a journalist.

      Except if you write it in a book apparently. Quite how they they distinguish that I have no idea. I have to read the Winklemann decision on David Fisher’s book. Could have been different acts

      • greywarbler 3.1.1
        25 June 2014 at 3:11 pm

        news medium means a medium for the dissemination to….a section of the public of news and observations on news

        Thinking of the various sort of mediums. They can be people who look into the future and make prognostications. They give news of future happenings. There is quite a lot of guessing and factless opinion in our daily journalism. The Speaker could be called a medium as he knows what David Parker is going to say before he says it. This approach to life (and the hereafter) brings a whole new aspect to politics. It sure is an interesting subject.

        I don’t know why anyone would bother to take an interest in fictional stories on tv or radio when they can watch the daily operas of government. However they can’t be called soap operas as politics tends to get down and dirty. Mud wrestling anyone? Now that could become a new sport in the Olympic arena. There would be some good international entrants but NZ sports would not be ashamed.

        Medium –
        google –
        the intervening substance through which sensory impressions are conveyed or physical forces are transmitted.
        free dictionary –
        6. pl. mediums A person thought to have the power to communicate with the spirits of the dead or with agents of another world or dimension. Also called psychic.
        “radio communication needs no physical medium between the two stations”

      • Tracey 3.1.2
        25 June 2014 at 3:20 pm

        does this mean mccready is lawyer cos he argues cases in court?

        Well, it will lower the standard to where the herald and hoskings et al have taken it i suppose

    • ianmac 3.2
      25 June 2014 at 1:46 pm

      Would be a bit odd being a media person at the congress and have delegates duck/hide in case you are Paddy in disguise.

  4. ianmac 4
    25 June 2014 at 1:43 pm

    However the odd earlier decision make journalists writing books about politics like David Fisher, Nicky Hager, or even the rather weird works of pseudo-fantasy from Ian Wishart will not be protected in the same way despite those books often breaking news and using the same techniques as journalists in a longer format.
    A clever person commented that the decision re non-protection for an author was inevitable because that is the way the law was written. She could not decide otherwise. The Law needs to be rewritten regarding the Privacy Act and the Publications(?) Act.

  5. swordfish 5
    25 June 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Unlike the hidden ogre/sysop persona I use on this site, I’m apparently much more social and nicer in person

    Yeah, I’ve always assumed your bark was worse than your bite, Lynn. Deep down just a big sentimental lug. I like to think of you as one of those ostensibly hard-bitten characters in a WWII movie – often called something like The Sarge with a cigar bitten down hard between their teeth and a lot of shouting at the new, young, naïve recruits, maybe with the occasional clip around the ear – but deep down you always knew they had a heart-of-gold and that the whole point of their gruffness was to stop the daft young newbies from getting themselves killed. Usually played by John Wayne. Also maybe Ernest Borgnine as the Sergeant in the remake of All Quiet on the Western Front (1979).

    My guess is you become very proud and sentimental when one of your young charges here at The Standard achieves or finds success or happiness. In fact, I can imagine the following scene: Your wife Lyn hears some quiet sobbing from the bedroom. She opens the door and finds you sitting on the bed, tears running down your cheek as you look at a photo of Lanthanide in her younger days. Lyn asks whats wrong but immediately realises these aren’t tears of sorrow but in fact tears of immense pride. Lynn: “Just heard Lanth’s got engaged. She was like a daughter to me. Bought her up almost single-handedly on The Standard, encouraging her, validating her arguments, watched the first time she rode a bike. And now my little girl’s getting married ! I couldn’t be prouder !” I bet that’s exactly the kind of thing that happens, isn’t it ? You big sentimental lug.

    I even suspect you’re deeply forgiving of the regular Tory Tr*lls here. Privately, I believe you’ve expressed to Lyn that you see them simply as irascible young scamps who, yes, are a bit misguided but basically have a heart of gold.

    • karol 5.1
      25 June 2014 at 3:27 pm

      Lanth… she?

      • swordfish 5.1.1
        25 June 2014 at 3:30 pm

        Always been my belief that Lanth is a she. If I’m wrong then I’ve just made shall we say a bit of a git of myself. Then again, what’s new.

        • karol 5.1.1.1
          25 June 2014 at 4:06 pm

          Probably not a good idea to make judgements on the basis of the gender of a person’s partner.

          • swordfish 5.1.1.1.1
            25 June 2014 at 4:27 pm

            Ahhhhh, well I really have made a complete dickhead of myself haven’t I.

            Apologies to Lanth.

            No homophobia intended. Always assumed – obviously without thinking – that you were female.

            Actually, that’s quite interesting. It suggests an underlying conservatism/conformity on my part that I had no conscious idea of. Vaguely remember Lanth talking about a boyfriend and so just assumed Lanth’s a she, read Lynn talking about his partner and just assumed they’re married. Always considered myself as liberal as I am Left. Perhaps it’s occasions like this that you discover you’re middle-aged and what was considered liberal in your 20s is now inherently conservative ?

            Nah ! I’m still a liberal-Lefty !!!

            Just one that occasionally makes a git of himself.

            • karol 5.1.1.1.1.1
              25 June 2014 at 4:32 pm

              Heh. This happens to all of us on occasions, I think. Your response re-self awareness shows an ability to be self critical and self aware.

          • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.2
            25 June 2014 at 5:02 pm

            Not bad for a flight of fancy otherwise. Have you ever tried your hand at short stories, swordfish?

            • swordfish 5.1.1.1.2.1
              25 June 2014 at 5:42 pm

              Nah, can’t say I have, CV. More a non-fiction sort of a bloke. Intend to have something published on post-war New Zealand History before I die. Well, that’s the aim, anyway.

              But, for Godsake don’t mention my original comment. I honestly haven’t been able to look at it since karol linked to Lanth’s 2011 comment. That second paragraph should now officially be considered cringe-worthy.

              And anyway, I’m not sure the idea of Lynn as a hard-bitten, cigar-smokin’ Sarge who secretly nurses a heart-of-gold and a sentimental streak a mile wide (that he’s determined no-one will find out about) could be classed as a “flight of fancy” exactly.

    • Anne 5.2
      25 June 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Oh Christ…

      • greywarbler 5.2.1
        25 June 2014 at 10:42 pm

        @Anne I didn’t know you were religious. I might ask you to say one for me when things are turning to custard here.

        • Anne 5.2.1.1
          26 June 2014 at 2:15 pm

          🙂

          It was a reaction to Swordfish’s celebration(?) of Iprent. The response turned out to be quite mild.

    • Kiwiri 5.3
      25 June 2014 at 3:36 pm

      Is there a typo there or might the NZ Hypocrisy in cahoots with John Key go after the statement that Lanthanide has been “bought”? 😈

    • lprent 5.4
      25 June 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Your wife Lyn

      Thats funny. I should send her that to amuse her on the return flight. Been living with her for almost as long as TS has been running. But she refuses to do those kinds of socially accepted things. I always get amused watching faces when rellies ask me when we are going to get married and I refer them to her. Myself, I have never been married despite having some rather long primary usage as a foot warmer in bed (and some other usefulness has been very occasionally been acknowledged).

      Privately, I believe you’ve expressed to Lyn that you see them simply as irascible young scamps who, yes, are a bit misguided but basically have a heart of gold.

      Yeah right….

  6. dimebag russell 6
    25 June 2014 at 4:41 pm

    sokay lp.
    I used to work with this dude who got married on the day he retired.
    great party!

  7. dimebag russell 7
    25 June 2014 at 8:34 pm

    have a good time in Wellington LP.

    33 1/3 rpm.
    I am sure being the general secretary of that distinguished blog ‘The Standard’ will carry some not inconsiderable cachet.

  8. RedBaronCV 8
    25 June 2014 at 9:25 pm

    I need to donate to TS. Perhaps this conference will be my big opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do :

    drum roll….. to hand somebody some money in a plain brown envelope.

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      25 June 2014 at 9:28 pm

      If you want to do it proper Chinese style you need a red envelope

      • RedBaronCV 8.1.1
        25 June 2014 at 10:08 pm

        Thanks CV -I’ll have to modify my approach. Do I wave the envelope around or just pass it with a small backhanded flick to the person I hope I have correctly identified as LPrent?

        • lprent 8.1.1.1
          25 June 2014 at 10:45 pm

          Well you could ask CV. Of course it would have to be as his mild mannered alter-ego.

          I should go and look at getting a button made up.

  9. RedBaronCV 9
    25 June 2014 at 9:31 pm

    Is there anywhere to get tickets that doesn’t involve going through a website that grabs your personal data so that they can market something to you much later on?