Hold the front page!

48 comments on “Hold the front page! ”

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1. Akldnut 1

   3 September 2011 at 8:03 am

   Nothing new – I’ve asked everyone that I come into contact since it’s release and only 2 people out of the 60 people I’ve dealt with say they know anything about it.
2. Hilary 2

   3 September 2011 at 8:06 am

   This ‘product placement’ as illustrated by page 2 of the DP yesterday reflects so badly on the profession of journalism, and also highlights the real agenda of the media. Trivia and as many pictures of the PM clutching captive children as possible, while marginalising the opposition. (But the really scary thing is the dog whistle message of ‘trust the PM’). The Hollow Men documentary showed very clearly how sneakily such things are set for an unsuspecting public.
3. marsman 3

   3 September 2011 at 8:24 am

   The Dom-Post had the big photo of Mr. Sincerity John Key along with the bullshit re the ‘poll’. Just below the photo was a piece by the editor about their new ‘charter of independence and commitment to the highest professional standards.(!!!) Meanwhile the editorial was a patronising smear job on Labour and dog-whistle doubt-casting on The Greens. Wonder if Crosby Textor write these editorials, no wait isn’t Mr Impartial himself, that Hollow Man Richard Long back from Vietnam?
   • Jim Nald 3.1

     3 September 2011 at 9:23 am

     Political machinations wed media Murdochinations.
     • thejackal 3.1.1

       3 September 2011 at 10:06 am

       Ain’t that the truth.
       • The Voice of Reason 3.1.1.1

         3 September 2011 at 10:20 am

         Hmmm, got a malware warning from Avast! from that site, Jackal. Apparently /js/l10n.js?ver, whatever that might be.
4. Granny 4

   3 September 2011 at 8:34 am

   Trouble is, it’s not a NEW policy at all. It’s just recycled policy from1981,2002, 2005 etc etc.

   At least the Greens have something new to offer, rather than re-channelling Bill Rowling.
   • mickysavage 4.1

     3 September 2011 at 2:24 pm

     Good CT line that.

     It is recycled policy, not good policy not bad policy but RECYCLED POLICY.

     I have to admit that it is recycled.

     I am pretty sure the first Labour Government had a policy on trade training and apprenticeships.  It is one of those things that Labour always does.

     To brand it as recycled is really silly.  It is a good idea and addresses something that the current government is not doing and that is training our young.

     Labour also recycles its increase the minimum wage policy, the keen NZ nuclear free policy, the keep an independent line on foreign policy policy, the improve education and health policy …

     Honest is that the best that CT has given you guys? 
5. Afewknowthetruth 5

   3 September 2011 at 9:26 am

   It has to be this way. All major media are owned and operated by global corporations for the benefit of global corporations. The last thing they want is an informed populace. Global corporations will always back governments that facilitate the agendas of global corporations.

   The other problem is, Laboir is ‘owned’ by global corporations but is operated by uninformed fools who think it is not.
   • ghostwhowalksnz 5.1

     3 September 2011 at 9:37 am

     Absolutely correct. They would get outraged calls from their big advertisers if labour was given any prominence or Key given a hard time.
   • Draco T Bastard 5.2

     3 September 2011 at 10:01 am

     +1

     And, yeah, Labour is as connected to the failed capitalist system as National and Act.
6. Craig Glen Eden 6

   3 September 2011 at 9:35 am

   Yup if anyone has any doubt about media bias the lack of exposure that has been given to the release of such a major policy puts it into perspective.

   But I think it needs to focus the minds of the opposition Labour/Greens to work together not against each other. Labour and the Greens need all their foot soldiers working together.

   The fact is both parties need each other to form a cohesive left wing Government, its not just the Tories and Actoids its the media as well.No wonder Goff has struggled to gain ground.
7. fabregas4 7

   3 September 2011 at 9:36 am

   Yesterday Willie Jackson and JT focused on the latest earth shattering poll which showed that John Key was highly trusted to look after ones children! They attempted to extrapolate this into meaning that this meant he could be trusted to look after the country. This of course means that the local kindy teacher, or pediatric nurse should quickly be installed as PM.

   Callers were accused of envy of course when questioning this.
   • ghostwhowalksnz 7.1

     3 September 2011 at 9:40 am

     Tamihere and Jackson both depend on government contracts for the organisations they run.
     • Lanthanide 7.1.1

       3 September 2011 at 11:32 am

       But WJ may be standing as a Mana candidate:

       http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5414975/Willie-Jackson-considers-standing-for-Mana
     • tc 7.1.2

       3 September 2011 at 1:19 pm

       And the media crowd they work for got a nice election campaign boosting licence payment defferral, more nat shills with soapboxes.
   • Akldnut 7.2

     3 September 2011 at 11:40 am

     “This of course means that the local kindy teacher, or pediatric nurse should quickly be installed as PM.”

     Probably do as well as this showman/entertainer we’ve got now.
     • Tigger 7.2.1

       3 September 2011 at 1:43 pm

       So why the hell is Jackson still on air. He should have either decided yes and gone or no. If he runs now effectively everything he’s said in the last few months will have been as a candidate. he slams Labour because it’s good for Mana. He’s abusing electoral rules and should be slammed for it.
8. randal 8

   3 September 2011 at 10:37 am

   well if he is going to become the page two poster boy he should show us his manboobs.
9. Mac1 9

   3 September 2011 at 10:48 am

   This sort of trivia also has the effect of dumbing down politics to the level of entertainment and ‘personalities’. I should think that this is not unintended.

   What does the wish that I want to have dinner with the PM actually mean? That I like him or I want to be seen big-noting with the powerful and famous? Not that I do…….

   What does the babysitting question actually mean? Who do I trust with my most precious children, or who could I meet and talk about after the event? “Jeez, did you see who I had as my baby-sitter?’

   I suspect that some journos and politicians suffer from the same big-noting syndrome. Especially when the trappings of power and influence become attractive- cars, flunkies, helicopters, privileges, reception, food, wine etc.

   It’s along the lines of “How important am I to mix with such high society?” It reminds me of the joke about the Pope being chauffeured by an ordinary limo driver. The Pope wanted to drive- he never had. So, the swap being made, a passerby on seeing the vehicle pass by said to his companion, “Jeez, did you see that? Who’s big enough to have the Pope as his chauffeur?”

   Who’s big enough to have John Key as their baby-sitter? as their flunky PM? As their figurehead?
10. Tom Gould 10

    3 September 2011 at 11:06 am

    Maybe it’s time for the good old ‘disinfectant of sunlight’ to be shone on those running the MSM and deciding the coverage? And maybe even, although I hesitiate to even write it, expose the media training and speaking tour money-go-round? Nah, the public would be horrified. Some MP taking a drink too many from the mini-bar is way more damaging to our democracy, right?
    • marsman 10.1

      3 September 2011 at 6:45 pm

      How do we go about shining said disinfectant on those running the MSM? Would be a very great service to the people and the land of NZ now being plundered and being threatened with more plunder to come. And the hope would be that impartial journalism would finally be the norm again.
11. ak 11

    3 September 2011 at 11:45 am

    I do hope this story gets picked up overseas. Our media and Prime Babysitter are providing wonderful and generous comedic relief to an embattled world, and the day when the mere utterance of “New Silland” draws immediate guffaws of good-hearted derision draws ever closer. 100% Pure fun, come on kiwis, abstain for the game in the used condom, pray for a party that kicks beneficiaries in the teeth in Jesus’s cardboard cathedral, and enter the spirit.

    Thank you John, and shame on all you killjoys and your tall-clown syndrome. As the learned judge said of that other hilarious babysitting comedian: “he’s a talented New Zealander. He makes people laugh. Laughter is an incredible medicine and we all need lots of it.” Fair enough too. I hope Paul Henry gets him on the air soon. As the whole world surely understands by now thanks to Letterman, what kiwi couldn’t mistake a four-year-old for a grown woman?
    • Jim Nald 11.1

      3 September 2011 at 6:57 pm

      Did you mean to type ‘New Sillyland’?
      Quite appropriate.
    • Vicky32 11.2

      4 September 2011 at 6:46 pm

      As the whole world surely understands by now thanks to Letterman, what kiwi couldn’t mistake a four-year-old for a grown woman?

      I would love to know who that guy is! The judge’s sympathy for his career was just sick-making… I’d like to be able to boycott him.
12. Blue 12

    3 September 2011 at 12:16 pm

    At least Stuff had an article on their website. As far as I can tell, the Herald had not a word on the policy until this morning.

    On the other hand, if it was a bad poll result or some more imaginary ‘leadership struggles’ it would be all over the front page as quickly as possible.

    NZ really does have some of the worst standards for journalism in the developed world.
    • UncleGeoff 12.1

      3 September 2011 at 7:09 pm

      If Blue thinks that NZ has some of the worst standards for journalism in the developed world, maybe he should check out Fox “News” in the USA.

      That said, I fully concur that the local newspapers and TV stations still have a lot to answer for when it comes to professionalism and integrity. I refuse to buy any copies of the NZ Herald, on the grounds that doing so would make me an accessory to the poison that they produce and disseminate. But while I don’t believe that the Compost is as vile as the Herald, I am now seriously considering whether I ever want to buy any more copies of it either.
      • Blue 12.1.1

        3 September 2011 at 8:33 pm

        Yes, the USA has Fox News, but that is only one organisation among many.

        The reason I call NZ the worst is simply because while other countries have their terrible news organisations, they also have their good, and sometimes brilliant ones.

        NZ has nothing more than mediocrity across all, and it’s getting steadily worse.

        I can’t think of any other Western democratic country in the world where something like this would happen. Within three months to an election, the main Opposition party announces a major policy and the media just ignore it.

        Tell me another country that that could have happened in, and I will agree with you then that there are worse journalists out there than in NZ.

        Fox News would have distorted, spun and misled, but at least they would have reported it.
13. Joe Bloggs 13

    3 September 2011 at 1:08 pm

    Perhaps the issue over non-coverage by the MSM is because there was nothing newsworthy in Labour’s Youth Employment Policy.

    It’s been around since 1980 and Bill Rowling’s announcement that Labour would abolish the dole, and guarantee employment or training for the first five years of a New Zealander’s working life.

    Moreover the other headline option Labour recycles used policy… again is also not particularly newsworthy either.
    • mickysavage 13.1

      3 September 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Yep

      You got us there Joe.

      BTW the policy about creating jobs has been recycled since Labour first stood in 1916.

      Put to one side how vital full employment is to our society  the policy is a bit recycled. So we should do away with it?

      Do you realize how dumb your CT spin line is?

      How about you comment on the guts of the policy instead of trying to write it off by applying a slogan? 
      • Joe Bloggs 13.1.1

        3 September 2011 at 3:01 pm

        BTW the policy about creating jobs has been recycled since Labour first stood in 1916.

        so the spin in the original post about this being a “major new policy” is debunked by the Right AND the Left.

        Pleased to see you agree with me.
        • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1.1

          3 September 2011 at 6:20 pm

          Recycled and updated. The policy put out by Labour has the same goal but isn’t the same as it uses different methodologies.

          Of course, why we keep concentrating on jobs is a concern. The new paradigm caused by Peak Oil, resource depletion and Climate Change means that there will be less work and to meet that means that we’ll have to change society to meet those new needs.
          • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1.1

            6 September 2011 at 7:56 am

            Well actually there will be a turning point where there is suddenly more work, much more work, and a lot of it not very glamorous, as energy and industrial systems run down.
14. prism 14

    3 September 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I see that dominating the NZ Herald front page was a picture of a large body of water, I suppose that’s cheaper than printing hard news. Also there was a mention of a dog being found. Is that the one that everybody is out looking for with a dogwhistle?

    Is that meant to be the PM with a child. I’ve got lots of baby pictures that I think are better than his. The nation should see my grandchild – a very perfect picture of a modern major sweetie.

    But clicking on to top link takes me through to earning and learning from 1/9.
    • Deadly_NZ 14.1

      3 September 2011 at 2:51 pm

      What about my son ?? ( pic in gravatar). But let Key near him ? Only if i can count his fingers and toes after he gives him back to me!
      • prism 14.1.1

        3 September 2011 at 2:59 pm

        Deadly 😀
15. HC 15

    3 September 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I am desperately waiting for another winter storm to bring a bit of snow flakes up into
    Auckland. This will certainly be headline news and have the reporters out in force all over the place, to capture a few snow flakes and see kiddies try to build snowmen, where altitude may allow snow to stay about a while.

    What is Paul McCartney up to, or Heather Mills, is Prince Willie’s bride now pregnat or not?

    Oh, the country is gearing up for the Rugby World Cup. John Key will hold the opening speech at Eden Park, I presume. That must be placed at the very top, for sure.

    A sheep with pinkish dyed wool was wandering down the streets of Taihape last night. Does anybody know who is the owner?

    We have lots of News in Aoteaoroa, so do not get so critical and depressed. Have fun and do not worry, all is in good hands!

    Yes, it was a bit strange after all to notice that both One News and 3 News did not bother to give that much priority to the report about Labour’s new youth apprenticeship plans. One channel had it only under the “otherwise also happened” category, and both did not present much about it.

    For those that claim it may be “recycled” policy, it is at least striking that the owner of a gasfitting and plumbing business in the Hutt Valley had to admit, that this time Labour got it right and will get their full support!

    But such news are just “trivial” stuff, are they not?
    • Vicky32 15.1

      4 September 2011 at 6:52 pm

      Yes, it was a bit strange after all to notice that both One News and 3 News did not bother to give that much priority to the report about Labour’s new youth apprenticeship plans. One channel had it only under the “otherwise also happened” category, and both did not present much about it.

      As an aside, I heard on the BBC today, about a serious aeroplane crash in Chile on Friday night that killed 200+ people – and would never have known about it if not for the BBC… I want to know, did the NZ media cover it at all when I was incommunicado through out Saturday?
      • HC 15.1.1

        4 September 2011 at 8:48 pm

        I heard it being mentioned on the 8 pm news on National Radio tonight. Maybe they had a listen to the BBC beforehand, or they read your comment above!??

        This happens quite often. I know that there are two major international news gathering networks that source stories from various separate agencies active in various countries and parts of the world, as well as from some independent reporters.

        These newsline providers make their stories available to networks that contract with them.

        New Zealand media work with certain other media outlets overseas and get stories off the wire as well. So the BBC – being one of the top media organisations on this planet – will be very swift on reporting such stories. TV stations and radio stations here often are a bit slower.

        You may note that not much new is reported after 06 or 08 pm on any day. Few staff are working after those hours. That delays a lot.
        • Vicky32 15.1.1.1

          5 September 2011 at 5:06 pm

          I heard it being mentioned on the 8 pm news on National Radio tonight. Maybe they had a listen to the BBC beforehand, or they read your comment above!??

          I remember back in 1993 or 4, phoned TV3 and asking why they had no news of the plane crash that had killed the leader of Rwanda – “mark my words, something will come of it!” I said presciently – and something did, the Rwandan genocide! The TV3 man asked where I had heard of it, and I said “The BBC” and he replied “Oh, well, they’re obsessed with what happens off-shore, but in NZ, no one cares, besides there’s no footage”. Because any footage they got, was presumably too late after the fact, they never mentioned it at all… (We lived in a valley, and couldn’t get TV1, so I don’t know whether TV1 covered it at all). I take issue now and did then, that “no one in NZ cares what happens off-shore” – which is a mad word anyway. The whole world is simply “off-shore” from NZ????
          • HC 15.1.1.1.1

            6 September 2011 at 1:55 am

            Vicky32:

            You raise a valid point, and I have often felt the same.

            But perhaps look at the brighter side:
            In Europe, North America and generally most places on the world you almost never hear anything at all about what happens in New Zealand, except when there is a large quake like in CH CH a year ago and again in February. Apart from that most there think NZers are all part time farmers who own a yacht, private airplane and spend half the day showing tourists around the national parks.

            Ignorance is widespread, but re the ignorance by media and even quite a few people here, it is a very special type of indifference or ignorance.

            The good thing about so few “off-shore” knowing about NZ – and where we are may be is: When the world goes really mad, the next major wars for remaining resources will start, and when the large powers and peoples will destroy each other, they may not even think about the few island “pimples” reaching above the Pacific waters in this faraway corner of the globe. It may ensure us a bit of a chance of survival after all?!
16. kriswgtn 16

    3 September 2011 at 3:27 pm

    well mark my words
    the MSM will one day have to be held accountable for their blatant asslicking of jokey hen

    It will happen
    wonder what their excuses be::

    Oh I was glamoured
    hahha
    dickheads the lot of them

    NO decent journalistic qualities between any of them
17. HC 17

    3 September 2011 at 3:57 pm

    So NZers do in their vast majority apparently trust a former “currency trader” to lead their economy, look after their babies and head the government. This they supposedly do although over 60 % are against asset sales (partial or whole), they simply do not seem to understand the consequences of voting in a government that will do exactly that.

    It seems the media know their spin role. Let Nicky Hager make the media, their ownership, their management, their selection of journalists they employ, their conduct and operation his next project. Perhaps he should change his appearance and go under-cover to apply for a journo job himself, in order to find out what exactly makes our propaganda outlets publish the very kind of front page stuff they are presenting us with.
18. Jum 18

    3 September 2011 at 4:24 pm
    • Jim Nald 18.1

      3 September 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Bouffant and Boofhead Politicians

      1. Folks should be very very nervous when they are thinking about whether to trust a talking bouffant. Woe was me for having forgotten about the Perigo interview when I voted at the recent election.

      2. As for the other one, well … he is paid to play boofhead and to say anything it takes to win votes.
19. uke 19

    4 September 2011 at 8:23 am

    The same thing happened about a month ago when Labour released its government procurement policy, which would favour NZ manufacturers and suppliers. Buried in both the Dom & Herald.
20. Private Parts ex army 20

    4 September 2011 at 9:05 am

    I have just seen an interview with Owen Glenn on “another party political broadcast on behalf of the National Party” called The Nation on TV3. Apart from another load of bullshit about being sooooooo poor living in a State House in Otara, he said, if National and Act win the election he will give 100 Mil (unpaid taxes by him) towards youth. Does that mean he won’t if they lose? Is this his revenge on the Labour party after the last fiasco he was involved in?
    One wonders, what he is after now. Watch this space I bet he gets a Knighthood and how much again unpaid tax has he given to the National Party.
21. Ianupnorth 21

    4 September 2011 at 1:48 pm

    They did have this on Saturday http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10749150
     

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