Click bait frenzy

Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, April 8th, 2021 - 69 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern, Media, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, uncategorized - Tags:

Media has been awash with discussion about Mike Hosking’s recent interaction with Jacinda Ardern.  She was invited onto his show, agreed to appear, was grilled on isolation facility beds, and gave responses.  End of story you would think.

But NZME then constructed a story out of what happened, not the actual detail of the interview, but that Hosking like a jilted former spouse then said that he did not want Ardern back on his show.

From the Herald:

Newstalk ZB radio host Mike Hosking has asked for listener feedback on whether PM Jacinda Ardern should in future be interviewed on his breakfast radio show, saying he doesn’t “want her back”.

He said on air this morning “management and production argue she should come back on a periodic basis” but he felt Ardern “didn’t want to be here” and “are we not better on this programme … not having her on the show?”

“Give us the feedback,” he said to listeners.

Hosking this morning spoke with Ardern about the transtasman travel bubble, and afterwards expressed frustrations about the interview.

His bitterness is apparent in this quote:

She doesn’t get to pop up every now and again when the news comes out in the form of a bubble. Now to be fair to her, we did ask, and that’s the productions side of this programme and she said she would so we’re now in discussions – I don’t want her back.”

The article accused the pair of sniping at each other which is funny.  From what I heard the sniping was one way only.

Other NZME reporters popped up.  Barry Soper wrote this:

After the interview, Hosking declares he doesn’t want Ardern on his show any more, which won’t lose her any sleep given that she’d decided she didn’t want to be on it anyway.

But that was her mistake, and this was Hosking’s – he can’t have it both ways.

Hosking accusing the media of being asleep at the wheel and then refusing to take the wheel himself is cutting your nose off to spite your face.

And Heather du Plessis Allan said this on her Newstalk show:

I’ve said in the past I think the Prime Minister should front up for interviews. But I don’t know, after this morning, I can’t see the value in it,” she said.

“I think this should be a test of ideas but it feels like it’s possibly got a wee bit personal on both sides. I’m not getting anything out of this. You’re probably not getting anything out of this, probably best just to call the thing off, don’t you think?

“I’m now of the opinion if she doesn’t want to go on, fair enough. You can only push things so far.”

Let’s get the facts right.  Overblown ego throws a tanty when the Prime Minister says that she has more important things to do than appear weekly on his show, his company invites her onto his show for an interview, she agrees, answers questions, then in a fit of pique he says he will not have her back on the show.  And other employees of the same organisation then weigh in on the subject.

I bet the clicks just flowed.

69 comments on “Click bait frenzy ”

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  1. Reality 1
    8 April 2021 at 8:36 am

    Hosking's petulant, childish and unprofessional behaviour may go down well with some. But to me he is totally obnoxious. That the PM put up with his rudeness and interruptions for as long as she did was remarkable. Did he ever treat John Key the way he has treated Jacinda?

  2. Pat 2
    8 April 2021 at 8:44 am

    I wonder how many votes Hosking would receive if he entered (officially) politics?

    • Chris T 2.1
      8 April 2021 at 8:53 am

      Given it is all about name recognition and the dude fronts the most listened to show on the radio in the country quite a lot I would imagine.

      • Pat 2.1.1
        8 April 2021 at 8:56 am

        Perhaps…though he dosnt appear keen to put it to the test.

      • Sanctuary 2.1.2
        8 April 2021 at 9:01 am

        He would be toxic in parliament, no party would want such a potentially loose cannon.

        • Stuart Munro 2.1.2.1
          8 April 2021 at 10:58 am

          A party with room for the likes of Nick Smith and Gerry Brownlee could accommodate a lot of persons of Hoskings' calibre without noticeably eroding their performance. wink

      • woodart 2.1.3
        8 April 2021 at 10:29 am

        you are probably to young to remember pam corkery.she at least, had the balls to stand for parliament. was fairly useless but had a go. hoskings? nah, wouldnt have the cojones.just another right wing hack that knows everything but also knows nothing.

    • Tiger Mountain 2.2
      8 April 2021 at 8:58 am

      Hopefully he would do as well as Paul Henry did–defeated by NZ’s first trans MP–Georgina Beyer–in Wairarapa seat in 1999, by 3000 votes.

      • Pat 2.2.1
        8 April 2021 at 9:10 am

        Had forgotten about Henry's dabble in the hustings…..it strikes me Henry and Hosking are very similar characters, though Henry may take himself less seriously.

  3. Chris T 3
    8 April 2021 at 8:52 am

    TBF, it isn't exactly one sided.

    Hosking's petulant childish fit is embarrassing, but Ardern didn't exactly cover her self in glory when she decided his interviews were too tough to take and she did a runner.

    • Sanctuary 3.1
      8 April 2021 at 8:57 am

      I am always astonished at the misogyny of men who think the woman who dealt with a terrorist attack and took the huge call to go for COVID elimination is somehow afraid of a bombastic blowhard.

      Ardern's calculation was pretty simple one. NZME and Newstalk need her more than she needs them, and so she decided she didn't need the grief of being insulted by a dickhead employed by cowards.

      The meltdown by NZME is a pretty good prima facie case she scored a direct hit where it hurts NZME most, their bottom line.

      • Chris T 3.1.1
        8 April 2021 at 9:14 am

        Indeed

        As I said, she did a runner as the questions being asked were too tough.

        • Hanswurst 3.1.1.1
          8 April 2021 at 9:25 am

          Well, that depends on what you mean by 'too tough', I suppose. However, seeing as, when applied to questions, it normally means that they are too tough to answer… no.

          • Chris T 3.1.1.1.1
            8 April 2021 at 9:38 am

            Given she will now only go on the show if she has good news, I am thinking it is quite the reality.

            Especially given she is the first PM to hide from the segment in more than 20 years (according to Soper)

            https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/jacinda-ardern-and-barry-soper-clash-after-she-cancels-hosking-slot/

            • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.1.1.1.1
              8 April 2021 at 10:53 am

              Key and his ministers wouldnt appear on National Radio for about 5 years either. ( until they had the ratings public and found they were a bigger audience than 'Lapdog Mike' )

              Bridgers told a newspaper reporter he wouldnt appear on her 'podcast' if she continued to be hostile- that was during his donations scandal.

            • Red Blooded One 3.1.1.1.1.2
              8 April 2021 at 11:12 am

              Except the fact she turned up to the segment by invitation proves your comment of her hiding is a stupid lie perpetuated by an equally petulant pissant like Mike Hoskings and any who consider him a serious "journalist" Hint, taking Mr Duplicity-Allan as a bastion of fact is one of your many mistakes. Enjoy your delusions.

          • Jimmy 3.1.1.1.2
            8 April 2021 at 11:44 am

            Jacinda never managed to answer any of them so I guess they were too tough.

        • Sacha 3.1.1.2
          8 April 2021 at 10:07 pm

          As I said, she did a runner as the questions being asked were too tough.

          Do they give you brownie points for repeating the talking points so faithfully? And do you think the rest of us have not already heard them many times by now..

          • Chris T 3.1.1.2.1
            8 April 2021 at 10:11 pm

            Do you mind posting this in English?

            And giving some relevance?

            As it is utterly off-topic

            Thanks

            • Incognito 3.1.1.2.1.1
              8 April 2021 at 10:34 pm

              The relevance is that you are an irrelevant time-waster here. You’re constantly baiting others, which is ironic under this OP. In other words, you’re an annoying bait troll, and have been for a while. Can you hear that the Jaws theme sound yet?

              • Chris T …
                8 April 2021 at 11:12 pm

                Which is again off topic and last time the mods saw this from me I got binned for 3 months for the same thing.

                At the time they gave me 3 minutes to post a link showing something, which I didn't see.

                When I gave them the link they acknowledged if I posted it in the "3 minutes" I wouldn't have been binned.

                Funny rules here depending on who is posting, but not particularly moaning.

                Ironically I am thinking I will probably get binned again now, for simply pointing this out.

                [Last time, it was 4 minutes, according to you, and you did see the Moderation note but you dragged the chain, resisted the Moderation requests while you were in Pre-Mod and not banned, and wasted copious amounts of our time. You did not get banned for three months; you’re making it up!

                Refresh your memory here (https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-11-12-2020/#comments) and reflect on it. You have form. You have no more credit left and this is your final warning – Incognito]

              • Chris T …
                8 April 2021 at 11:15 pm

                Also. Do you mind pointing out where I am baiting anyone?

                I did the simple minded friend once, but that was in reply to a pretty derogatory post.

                • Red Blooded One …
                  9 April 2021 at 6:44 am

                  Awh, someone call a whaaa-mbulance for ChrisT, he comes here, whinging and whining, telling lies (Jacinda doing a runner from tough questions. just as one example) then plays the defensive, it's not fair card when called out on it. PS, I'm not offended by your simple-minded jab, gave me a giggle, my triggered snowflake friend. You try and have a lovely cheerful day now and try and look for a slither of positivity amongst your relentless right-wing negativity.

      • Herodotus 3.1.2
        8 April 2021 at 9:42 am

        I am amazed how everything good that the govt has done is directly attributed to our PM and everything that has not been delivered is attribuated to govt workers and our PM is kept at distanced.

        Do we really keep surplus MIQ spaces vacant in case of an earthquake in Wellington? And are there inadequate facilities not fit for purpose currently being used that only those citizens from a safe country are placed in that are now to be closed ?? We as a country are soo fortunate that luck has played a part in our successs🤔

        • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.2.1
          8 April 2021 at 9:46 am

          Hotels arent built as quarantine facilities, they were all that was available. No one has said that an earthquake is the reason for 'spaces' …theres lots of reasons but you havent been listening

          • Chris T 3.1.2.1.1
            8 April 2021 at 10:04 am

            "

            No one has said that an earthquake is the reason for 'spaces' …theres lots of reasons but you havent been listening"

            Ardern did in her interview with Hosking.

            https://www.iheart.com/podcast/24837692/episode/80563473/?embed=true

            • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.2.1.1.1
              8 April 2021 at 10:46 am

              Ahh I get it. An earthquake in Wellington would be for a MIQ facility is damaged… it doesnt seem they are holding rooms specifically for that but its for 'those sorts of reasons' amoung many others they need rooms available. At anytime they can block flights if it was dire …like an earthquake in Wellington

            • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1.2.1.1.2
              8 April 2021 at 10:57 am

              Jacinda, just let me interrupt there, just let me get to you on the Wellington one – that's that's a level of conservatism that's absurd, in case you have a… well why don't you just move everyone out of Wellington just in case of an earthquake?

              Conservatism? During a pandemic? With the global number of active cases ticking back up towards the previous high of 23 million? Absurd!

              How do you reckon that went?

              The PM was impressive – calm ("Mike, take a deep breath.") and clear, imho.

            • greywarshark 3.1.2.1.1.3
              8 April 2021 at 11:39 am

              Does anyone keep statistics about matters like when Hosking says something that actually promotes good government in NZ and says something positive. Perhaps they could do the same with Chris T.

              • Red Blooded One …
                8 April 2021 at 11:46 am

                "We're Doomed Captain Manwaring" comes to mind each time I see Chris T, Alwyn and David these days, that or whichever Peanut character wandered around with a cloud of dirt and dust clouding their life. Relentless negativity from the lot, maybe they should join Judith on their knees at the nearest Pew and pray for happier days.

  4. Sanctuary 4
    8 April 2021 at 8:52 am

    Hosking appears convinced he is untouchable – that his employers at NZME have been so driven by moral erosion caused by the financial exingency of their parlous business model they no longer have either the courage or even the inclination to attempt to discipline him. The problem for NZME is as age ossifies the views of his boomer audience they cling to him for validation like shit to a blanket.

    Jacinda has certainly triggered him, he seems to be at the emotional stage of the jilted suitor where he drives down her street because he just happens to be in the area, even though he lives miles away.

    My pick is he is one excessive rant away from even his pussy managers having to say something, and he'll use that as an excuse to flounce off and move to Australia or the USA. After all, it isn't like he needs the money anymore.

  5. Tiger Mountain 5
    8 April 2021 at 8:55 am

    Mike remains life President of the “Key Love” club, and pines still for the love of his life–as anyone who has experienced Jeremy Wells “Hosking Rant” or “Like Mike” might know.

    This ZB situation is comical, and pathetic, maybe he will confront the owners–“its me or her”…

    Not so Happy Days for “Maserati Mike”.

  6. Peter 6
    8 April 2021 at 9:04 am

    If he stood in an electorate with enough of his limited intellect self-centred, selfish listeners he would fly in. Just as he thinks he's God's gift, they do too.

    He would never stand. The job is too much like hard work. Can you imagine him door knocking in a campaign? Taking the chance of electoral rejection? Doing the mundane jobs of a backbench MP?

    He sees himself superior to that. He is already at the Top Table. As well of course the notions of democracy and need for processes are beyond him.

    In some senses he is just another Trump. And in the same way enabled by the ignorant.

    • Adrian Thornton 6.1
      8 April 2021 at 10:20 am

      "In some senses he is just another Trump. And in the same way enabled by the ignorant."..I assume that you would include US/UK/NZ Liberal media in that sentence?

  7. Tricledrown 7
    8 April 2021 at 9:22 am

    Male white superiority plus narcissism .

  8. Robert Guyton 8
    8 April 2021 at 9:38 am

    He's a gnat. Jacinda swatted him.

  9. Anne 9
    8 April 2021 at 10:11 am

    S'alright, the Hosk has apologised for his outburst yesterday… to Barry Soper. surprise

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mike-hosking-and-jacinda-ardern-newstalk-zb-host-backtracks-on-not-having-pm-on-show/Z7R4RM6AC7QQL2C7UXMK3VMUAI/

    I listened to the interview online and Jacinda adequately answered every question he asked, but they weren't the answers he wanted so he did what he always does when he doesn't want to listen… he cut her off. He then claims she didn't answer properly. Only fools and horses can't see the puerile game he is playing.

    Ardern explained why it was necessary to maintain surplus MIQ spaces and she pointed out that with this new arrangement more spaces were now available for the general public and in time they would increase. [I paraphrase] What more could she say under the current international Covid conditions?

    Its Jacinda Ardern he should be apologising to of course.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 9.1
      8 April 2021 at 10:55 am

      Hes such a weasel over these sorts of things….like he makes sure he has a day off when any public apologys required from Broadcasting standards

  10. Stuart Munro 10
    8 April 2021 at 10:23 am

    Hoskings and Henry were the last straws that made me give up on TV news altogether.

    Idiot co-presenters aren't much better.

    Arden talking to Mike was charity – and he's not worthy of it.

  11. Adrian Thornton 11
    8 April 2021 at 10:26 am

    @Micky Savage, you should have got Morrisssey to do the transcription, he does a great job of them, and is always funny.

  12. Patricia Bremner 12
    8 April 2021 at 11:12 am

    The Prime Minister along with her team, has overseen Micoplasma Bovis eradication efforts, the Kaikoura earthquake, the grief and recovery efforts from a terrorist attack, a Pandemic, and tried to keep everything afloat in a World where so many refused to accept Health Directives, in preference for ‘Freedom.’ This is causing disruption to supply lines with covid being rampant.

    She is aware that equity has taken a huge hit, and as her Ministers have always taken advice from the Scientists, Covid had to be controlled before other problems could be truly assisted.

    Her team doubled down and changed the Laws round land, giving Maori similar rights in ownership. Her Minister Nanaia Mahuta has introduced the 3 waters policy, done away with a "disenfranchise" others petitions, and encouraged Maori Wards on Councils.

    This Government has put Wellbeing at the centre of their Policies. This has created a target for the "Now!!" crowd, as these Policies need good planning to avoid unintended consequences.

    In my view Hoskins is a sad relic of the "shock jock" days. Most places have damped them down, or they have stormed off. Those who want Jacinda Ardern taken down, or even removed, consider being rude to her their right. She should "get out of the kitchen if she can't take the heat" attitude.

    This lady is well tempered. Forgive the pun.

  13. greywarshark 13
    8 April 2021 at 11:21 am

    PM Ardern would gather more respect if she had just refused to go on his show. What were here advisors thinking, if at all? It was obvious that 'King Mike' (well named) is a devious smartarse whose main interest is in titillating the sort of people who like looking at and showing off tits; his presentation verges on soft pornography.

    So who are the 'tits' in Labour that suggested this. Now he has a throne to stand on instead of a soapbox to scatter his weedy seeds from with many providing fertile ground for his shallow opinions on what our country's politics are about.

    • Patricia Bremner 13.1
      8 April 2021 at 12:32 pm

      No Greywarshark, she has caused people to reflect on Hoskins' performance, and it is lacking, as he swings which ever way will stir controversy.

      He is quite flaky at times. IMO very coiled spring, and a candidate for apoplexy.

      • greywarshark 13.1.1
        8 April 2021 at 1:40 pm

        edit
        I see your point Patricia – but which people and how much reflection? There is a saying of Virginia Woolf's about how men view and find a use for women.

        Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/virginia_woolf_108279

        I fear that is the only type of reflection that may happen. Not what is wanted. It's an acerbic comment but has a strong dash of reality.

        • Patricia Bremner 13.1.1.1
          8 April 2021 at 3:19 pm

          I think he is not getting that reflection of a larger self from Jacinda, good point.

  14. AB 14
    8 April 2021 at 12:19 pm

    The pandemic, and in particular the way it has to be handled, has put a bomb under a number of the self-serving delusions that animate right-wing ideology. Deranged cultists like Mike Hosking are in a state of apoplexy, frantically trying to restore the old certainties.

  15. Rae 15
    8 April 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Woman dumps man, man then waits for an opportunity to make it look like it was the other way around all along.

    Does Hosking really think people don't see straight through this?

  16. Leighton 16
    8 April 2021 at 1:21 pm

    My favourite part was Mike's whine "She doesn’t get to pop up every now and again when the news comes out". Uh… yes that's exactly what she should do. She is the PM not content-filler for an outdated breakfast show.

  17. RP Mcmurphy 17
    8 April 2021 at 2:53 pm

    he is merely a paid up popinjay shill for the nationals party.

    time for the labour party to start their own radio stations!

  18. Dean Reynolds 18
    8 April 2021 at 3:47 pm

    The demographic which listens to Hoskings is literally dying off – red neck boomers. Hoskings & his fan club are yesterday's people.The PM doesn't need to waste her time talking to a hostile, declining audience.

  19. grant not robertson 19
    8 April 2021 at 5:34 pm

    Who is this Hoskings person, I’ve only been in NZ for seventeen years and I’ve no idea who he is – bur judging by these comments he sounds rather small minded so I won’t bother to find his programme.

  20. Muttonbird 20
    8 April 2021 at 7:20 pm

    The picture in the OP proves that the relationship has been good, or reasonably good, historically. This gift was one of many passed between the two good naturedly.

    It was once a mutually beneficial relationship, but something changed.

    It's clear JA has done nothing to bring about that change, so it falls to Hoskings to look at himself and ask how he could have behaved better recently. But I don't think the demands of his job (to create headlines) allows this level of introspection.

    He's always shown an ego, a temper, a petulance, a demand for dominance, but concurrent with the fall of the National Party these traits appear amplified. He is increasingly desperate on a personal level. This runs counter to what good broadcasting should be.

    The Soper family critics are right, his show no longer serves us well, if it ever did.