In Solidarity with Sony

Written By: - Date published: 4:37 pm, December 20th, 2014 - 98 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, censorship, International, Media - Tags:

Because freedom of speech and expression is something to be protected and censorship is ultimately futile …

98 comments on “In Solidarity with Sony ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. batweka 1
    20 December 2014 at 4:53 pm

    I’m confused, who are the baddies here?

    • mickysavage 1.1
      20 December 2014 at 5:01 pm

      North Korea although I wish Sony had not have caved!

      • b waghorn 1.1.1
        20 December 2014 at 5:05 pm

        Obama’s upped the anti now threatening pay back of an unspecified type

        • Weepus beard 1.1.1.1
          20 December 2014 at 5:09 pm

          You’re kidding.

          For an email hack on a private company?

          First world problems, eh?

          • b waghorn 1.1.1.1.1
            20 December 2014 at 5:13 pm

            6 years ago I truly believed Obama would change the world for the better. . sigh!

            • Weepus beard 1.1.1.1.1.1
              20 December 2014 at 5:18 pm

              He’s not been good.

              A terrible orator. Sounds like he’s reading advertising copy when he speaks.

              As for not being able to reform health and reign in US global hegemony, well there’s a lot of racist rednecks to appease over there and he’s up against it.

              • b waghorn …
                20 December 2014 at 5:26 pm

                I don’t fully understand there political system but it seems bonkers for the people of America to elect Obama and then cripple him by giving his opponent s the power.

                • Weepus beard …
                  20 December 2014 at 5:39 pm

                  I don’t understand their political system either. Who would want to apart from Leighton Smith?

                • Lanthanide …
                  20 December 2014 at 6:07 pm

                  “but it seems bonkers for the people of America to elect Obama and then cripple him by giving his opponent s the power.”

                  Don’t you think left-wingers in NZ would vote in a counter-balance to National if they could?

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  20 December 2014 at 6:13 pm

                  I don’t fully understand there political system but it seems bonkers for the people of America to elect Obama and then cripple him by giving his opponent s the power.

                  I think the American people intuitively get that both major parties act to the detriment of most Americans, and primarily for the benefit of major banks and corporations.

                  So introducing maximum gridlock into the political system to slow down the rate at which damage can be done to the people, is actually a pretty sensible strategy.

                  BTW Obama has been a worse destroyer of civil rights and abrogator of international law than GW.

                • b waghorn …
                  20 December 2014 at 7:27 pm

                  the left wingers would have to convince enough people who voted for the right to change sides wouldn’t they

      • Weepus beard 1.1.2
        20 December 2014 at 5:06 pm

        In the same way you must have been unhappy when TVNZ sacked Paul Henry.

      • batweka 1.1.3
        20 December 2014 at 5:07 pm

        ok, so we’re taking the US govt’s word that NK are responsible for the hack/threat, and that the threat was credible?

  2. Weepus beard 2
    20 December 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Larry Williams had a benighted crack at this the other day. The thrust of his argument was to equate the evil NK hack of Sony with the equally evil and militant left wing hack of Slater’s emails as if some angelic innocent victim had been wronged.

    The fact is, today, if you practice pure hate-speech (Slater), or international satire (Sony’s film and the Jyllands-Posten cartoons of a few years ago), you had better watch out for some backlash.

    BTW, free speech is not allowed in China yet we all bow with appalling hypocrisy before their economic might.

  3. The Al1en 3
    20 December 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Agree with notice and features. A bit like the modern day equivalent of the BBC banning God save the queen.

    Question have to be asked of N Korea’s true motive. It’s not like they’re going to let their people see the film, and many think of kim lil dong as a loony dictator anyway, so why the hacktivism?

  4. joe90 4
    20 December 2014 at 5:38 pm

    I’m feeling the love for the American subsidiary of a Japanese multinational.
    /

  5. joe90 5
    20 December 2014 at 5:49 pm

    In other news: Empire threatens Alderann-like massacre if new Star Wars released.

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5RA-r9IUAAIR6R.jpg:large

  6. Bill 6
    20 December 2014 at 6:21 pm

    The North Korean complaint to the UN on July 10 ran To allow the production and distribution of such a film on the assassination of an incumbent head of a sovereign state should be regarded as the most undisguised sponsoring of terrorism..

    http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/18/sony-hack-the-interview-timeline

    Some may think that reasonable and some may scoff at it.

    But what if it was Barack Obama being assassinated in a movie slated for widespread commercial release? What would he (B.O.)and the US admin be saying then? Or what would those who would scoff at the N.Korean UN complaint say then?

    Or what if there was a video game slated for general release where the idea was to assassinate Barack Obama? Still freedom of speech? Or is that inciting violence and possibly terrorism?

    Bringing it closer to home and down many, many levels, when I used the throwaway phrase here the other day, that someone ‘needed a bullet’, which obviously didn’t mean that anyone ought to be actually shot, that part of the comment was edited out.

    Anyway. I reckons… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYSnZRDe7h4

    • The Al1en 6.1
      20 December 2014 at 6:41 pm

      Like day of the Jackal? Did it get De Gaulle all stroppy back in 1973? Well not him, since he was dead already, but the French government at the time.

      “what if it was Barack Obama being assassinated in a movie slated for widespread commercial release? ”
      “Or what would those who would scoff at the N.Korean UN complaint say then?”

      Exactly the same over here as about this one, though lil dong probably wouldn’t figure in it.

      • batweka 6.1.1
        20 December 2014 at 7:06 pm

        A drama film made in 1972 about a planned assassination of a president who is already dead in RL, and made by a country that’s an ally, it’s not quite the same is it.

      • Bill 6.1.2
        20 December 2014 at 7:07 pm

        Like day of the Jackal?

        No. Not like ‘Day of the Jackal’, that took actual events and then offered up a fictionalised post assassination plot. Also, as you point out, De Gaulle was already dead by the time of the book publication and the subsequent film adaptation.

        Day of the Jackal corresponds more with historical portrayals of attempts on the life of Hitler or other already dead people.

        Just absently wondering how many people have had comments alluding to assassination from facebook used against them by so-called anti-terror agencies, and yet here we have a Hollywood studio doing it on steroids. Actually, wasn’t somebody grilled in court and labelled as some sort of terrorist or danger to society for saying something along the lines of how they wanted to drop a bus on John Key?

        • batweka 6.1.2.1
          20 December 2014 at 7:19 pm

          not to mention the people in the Tuhoe raids who allegedly said they wanted to kill Helen Clark and the police took that seriously.

          • b waghorn 6.1.2.1.1
            20 December 2014 at 7:46 pm

            tama iti was runnning around the bush with guns that was enough reason to go get him and see what he was upto.

            • batweka 6.1.2.1.1.1
              20 December 2014 at 8:04 pm

              His name is Tame, and no I don’t think running round in the bush with guns was reason for the terrorism charges. Besides, afaik he’s not the person who was caught on surveillance joking about killing Helen Clark.

              • b waghorn …
                20 December 2014 at 8:11 pm

                While i don’t see Tame as a threat it’s something that needed nipping in the bud , btw the i am in no way condoning the insane level of the cops behavior.
                I had a little batch in tuai at the time and my neighbour got turned over .!

                • batweka …
                  20 December 2014 at 8:18 pm

                  People joking about killing the PM needs nipping in the bud? Really?

                  If the cops wanted to look at the firearms issue they could have asked to see Iti and co’s licence. Everything else was bullshit.

                  • b waghorn …
                    20 December 2014 at 8:29 pm

                    No playing out gun fantasies in bush needs nipping in the bud and as i said the cops went over the top .

                  • b waghorn …
                    20 December 2014 at 8:49 pm

                    the rolling round on car bonnets footage

                    • greywarshark …
                      20 December 2014 at 10:25 pm

                      What I’d like nipped in the bud is the exciting spotlighting at night close to public or private areas where they it is actually banned. A real life killing took place a few years ago as someone cleaned her teeth outside a hut. That’s manslaughter and egregious because the shooter should not have been operating in that area.

                      Then the killing of animals on farms in meat hunting or rustling operations, the perps probably have firearms. A not-accident waiting to happen. Tuhoe running round their own areas with guns is hardly a notable event. As far as the Tuhoe raid goes, I think the operatives had been told to look closely for a suitable place for a raid and they could hang one on Tuhoe. A practice run. To fit in with other maneouvres of an international forces nature in Timaru. So there would be a state of readiness by all forces if anything did happen I suppose. The scenario set up for the Timaru get-together was interesting.
                      And gave an idea of what could occur.

                    • tracey …
                      21 December 2014 at 4:53 pm

                      wasnt that rickard, former police officer?

        • The Al1en 6.1.2.2
          20 December 2014 at 7:23 pm

          So not like the day of the jackal, fair enough.

          What about ‘Johnny English’ with it’s plot to steal the crown jewels and replace/kill the Queen? That’s got to be the same hasn’t it?

          Edit: Actually don’t think it is about a plot to assassinate E2R, but usurp.

          • The Al1en 6.1.2.2.1
            20 December 2014 at 7:35 pm

            But this should qualify and upset no one on here.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_President_%282006_film%29

            “Death of a President is a 2006 British high concept mockumentary political thriller film about the fictional assassination of George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President, on 19 October 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.”

            I think we can call this one busted.

            • batweka 6.1.2.2.1.1
              20 December 2014 at 7:38 pm

              who made it?

              • The Al1en …
                20 December 2014 at 7:42 pm

                Google is your friend, but

                Directed by Gabriel Range
                Produced by Gabriel Range Simon Finch Ed Guiney Robin Gutch
                Written by Gabriel Range Simon Finch
                Starring Hend Ayoub Brian Boland Becky Ann Baker
                Music by Richard Harvey
                Cinematography Graham Smith
                Edited by Brand Thumim
                Production company FilmFour Borough Films
                Distributed by Optimum Releasing (UK) Newmarket Films (U.S.)
                Release dates 10 September 2006 (Toronto Film Festival)
                9 October 2006 (UK TV)
                27 October 2006 (U.S.)
                Running time 93 minutes
                Country United Kingdom
                Language English, Arabic
                Budget $2,000,000[1]
                Box office $869,352[2]

                • batweka …
                  20 December 2014 at 8:06 pm

                  google likes to pretend it’s my friend but it’s really not.

                  So, a film made by the US and its allies about killing its own president. Still not the same is it.

                  • The Al1en …
                    20 December 2014 at 8:11 pm

                    Film about the assassination of a sitting leader is apparently the issue. This production nails that.

                    • batweka …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:13 pm

                      You think if the film was about assassinating Obama that the US govt would have hacked Sony*? Who made the film, and which country the president is in is entirely pertinent.

                      *ok, yeah, bad example, but I’m sure you get the point about the difference between allies and non-allies.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:19 pm

                      I don’t know, maybe. They probably would have definitely released a statement exclaiming poor taste, though I’d imagine tea party members would be the first to express their dissatisfaction if the film was going to be prohibited from screening.

          • Bill 6.1.2.2.2
            20 December 2014 at 7:47 pm

            How’s about a film was made in Pakistan that was a piss take on some Pakistani journos assassinating Narendra Modi?

            More to the point, what about the rank hypocrisy of people in power, who seek to slam their own citizens in jail for no more than making jokes on facebook, getting all high and mighty when an official enemy takes umbrage at a popular film that seeks to take the piss out of the assassination of their head of state?

            • The Al1en 6.1.2.2.2.1
              20 December 2014 at 7:54 pm

              I don’t care about that or Rogen’s film, it’s others than are getting pissy and wanting to censor film content.
              Should the N Korean’s react the way they did, sure, if it bothers them that much, though I don’t believe artists should have topics that are off limits, even if some find those limits offensive.

              • batweka …
                20 December 2014 at 8:07 pm

                who exactly want’s the censor film content? Apart from Sony.

                • The Al1en …
                  20 December 2014 at 8:13 pm

                  Everyone who says that the film’s plot is a reason for the film not being distributed or even being made in the first instance. That’s censorship.
                  And sony says it wants to release but theatres are backing out because of the threats of retribution.

                  • batweka …
                    20 December 2014 at 8:15 pm

                    “Everyone who says that the film’s plot is reason for the film not being distributed.”

                    That doesn’t make sense. That’s people observing what is happening. You seem to think that there are people who are pissy about the film and want it censored. Apart from the hackers and Sony, who would that be exactly?

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:20 pm

                      Yes it does. Makes perfect sense.

                    • batweka …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:26 pm

                      That’s people observing what is happening. You seem to think that there are people who are pissy about the film and want it censored. Apart from the hackers and Sony, who would that be exactly?

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:31 pm

                      Nope. I’m observing what’s happening and yet I’m not guilty of backing censorship, because even though I see the same reports, I don’t agree with it [censorship].
                      Those who say ‘the film should never have been made’ or ‘the film should not get a release’, because of it’s plot line, are agreeing with the N Korean narrative, and reinforcing censorship as it’s their intention to block it’s release.

                    • batweka …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:39 pm

                      Yes, but I’m still not clear who you are hearing say that?

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:41 pm

                      You weka, it’s you. I’m hearing you say it 🙄

                      But there are a couple at the bottom of this page that agree with censorship based on the content of this film which validates my position.

                      And you weka, it’s you 🙄

                      😆

                    • batweka …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:47 pm

                      and yet I made a comment below* that I’m not suggesting censorship of the film.

                      Maybe you are using the term censorship differently than me, I mean that someone in a position of power prevents the film from being shown (Sony, the US govt). Sony censored the film. I don’t have an opinion about that really because I don’t know how credible the threat was.

                      * eg where I say specifically “This isn’t an argument for censorship,”

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 December 2014 at 8:55 pm

                      “Maybe you are using the term censorship differently than me,”

                      Yeah, I’m sure that must be it.

                      Sony haven’t censored the film at all. The film isn’t being shown because theatres are scared to play it because of threats of retribution. If that isn’t censorship by intimidation then you’ll have to google to try and find a better definition of it.

                      ————————————————————————————————-

                      ^ That’s me drawing a line under it. If we’re at a place where we can’t even agree on what constitutes censorship, then I’d rather be playing with the xmas present I bought myself today than going any further with this little game.

                      :halo: 🙂

                    • batweka …
                      20 December 2014 at 9:42 pm

                      I don’t know why Sony withdrew the film. But let’s say for the sake of argument the threat was credible, then I agree they were coerced into censorship (as you have just said).

                      I still haven’t said I think the film should be censored for other reasons though, and you are misreading my comment below if that’s what you think I meant. Asking for clarification always seems to work better than making assumptions. And if you had pointed to me the first time I asked, then we might have gotten somewhere more interesting. Just saying.

              • Bill …
                20 December 2014 at 10:37 pm

                So okay, can we move on from the tittle tattle and on to the double standards at play by ‘our’ leaders in all of this?

                They sanction the cops to bash down the doors of kids for not much else than jokes written on facebook. Our media report on some of it with (laughably) a straight face, as though there is something to be answered for.

                And now we have them doing a 180 turn and wanking on about freedom of expression.

                The issue isn’t the film, or what is in the film, or why Sony have withdrawn distribution, or whatever threats might have been issued by whomever. The issue is that ‘our leaders’ lead far too much of public opinion by the nose and no-one ever questions the fucking glaring inconsistencies in their attitudes. But hey…

  7. xanthe 7
    20 December 2014 at 7:14 pm

    cmon we all know it was kim

  8. Macro 8
    20 December 2014 at 7:49 pm

    I’m with bill on this. IMHO the film was crap and offensive and could well be taken as an inducement to assassination by misguided individuals, and there are plenty of them about these days, as the US well knows to it continual cost.
    We live in the “age of stupid” and this film is the epitome of it. So I have no problems with it being canned. Good riddance. Freedom of speech also brings with it responsibilities about what we say, and how we say it.

    • b waghorn 8.1
      20 December 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Can i ad that to my knowledge none of the other movies mentioned here plotted to kill a president while he was still in office.

      • Macro 8.1.1
        20 December 2014 at 7:59 pm

        One would have thought that the US in particular would have been more sensitive to this issue. It wasn’t until relatively recently that if you were a President elected to office in a year divisible by 20 your chance of dying in office either by assassination or natural causes was 100%.

      • nadis 8.1.2
        20 December 2014 at 9:19 pm

        Death of a President released in 2006, about GW Bush (PResident to 2008).

        When released (and shown in the US) the White House declined to comment on it.

    • batweka 8.2
      20 December 2014 at 8:11 pm

      I also can’t help thinking about the plethora of films from Hollywood studios that consistently misportray countries and cultures outside the US, esp films that are political in nature, and where those misportrayals reinforce US prejudices about the rest of the world, or actively promote US hegemony. And do this in a world where the US’s foreign policy has been fucking with the international stage for its own political, cultural and financial ends.

      We can argue the freedom of speech thing but eventually we get to a point where we have to acknowledge that Hollywood influences culture domestically and globally, and in that influence it is perpetuating cultural imperialism. This isn’t an argument for censorship, but I can understand why eventually some people are going to get sick of it and take things too far. In the west we might argue that it’s just entertainment, but not everyone has the same cultural values. If the US and the west want globalisation then they need to understand they don’t get to control everything and as you say Macro, there are responsibilities that go with the freedom.

    • Rodel 8.3
      20 December 2014 at 8:26 pm

      Macro I agree.Sony and the US belief they have a right to this kind of so called ‘free speech ‘ is in my view an illustration of an amoral and arrogant attitude present in some sections of American culture.

      To paraphrase Pam Corkery some years ago,”that’s why we love you uncle Sam.”

  9. Weepus beard 9
    20 December 2014 at 9:35 pm

    Well said Rodel. Free speech is all fine when you control the speech. Not so much otherwise.

  10. Tom Jackson 10
    20 December 2014 at 10:57 pm

    Making an offensive movie about the leader of a country that has not hesitated in the past to use terrorism to punish its enemies is not a good idea. The North Koreans aren’t going to take it as a joke, and they don’t really have a lot to lose. The North Koreans are also inclined not to make much of a distinction between what US companies do and what the US government does (they might be on to something there). This was a diplomatic disaster.

    Sony Pictures put its employees in harm’s way by making this movie. It was a phenomenally stupid idea.

  11. One Anonymous Bloke 11
    21 December 2014 at 6:40 am

    Did Salman Rushdie deserve it too?

    That’s the argument, isn’t it? That saying something that might upset psychotic right wing trash makes their psychotic reaction your fault.

  12. travellerev 12
    21 December 2014 at 10:32 am

    I support freedom of speech like no other but again this might not be what it seems.

    First of all North Korea denies that hacking attack and is in fact offering a joint investigation into where they really came from and secondly it seems to be used to push for massive injunctions against freedom of speech and more monopolizing of cultural expressions with copyright laws.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1
      21 December 2014 at 12:03 pm

      I suspect making death threats against cinema goers and screenwriters is exactly what it looks like, no matter the source: someone doesn’t like this free speech, and wants it to stop.

      Unless you’re going to argue that bad people don’t deserve the UDoHR, that is. The character (or otherwise) of the speakers is irrelevant.

      • travellerev 12.1.1
        21 December 2014 at 3:38 pm

        Oh, I agree with you but you might want to follow the money or Hui Bono. Sony and fellow big amusement industry corps have been wanting to sew up the amusement industry with their copy right laws for a very long time (Kim Dotcom knows all about that) and this is being used to do just that. Thing is if they can blame it on North Korea the sheeple will follow where ever they are led. So who hacked Sony?

  13. No1kiwi 13
    21 December 2014 at 10:36 am

    You guys are all assuming this hack was done by the North Koreans.

    How do you know this?

    Because the merican government said so….LOL.

    This is the same guys who said Iraq had WMD…LOL.

    I would not believe a word the US Government said..especially not the FBI, or the CIA.

    The hack was most likely a disgruntled employee…an inside job.

    PS. The Movie is inflammatory, and reckless. Free speech has consequences.

  14. hoom 14
    21 December 2014 at 10:46 am

    Nup Fuck Sony. I got no sympathy on this.

    This whole hacks & threats thing screams marketing campaign/propaganda via CIA black-ops or something.

    The idea that NK would have the capability of taking down a big film studio in such an obviously Hollywood way is pretty much ludicrous.

    I mean if there was any indication that the contents was somehow actually important artistically or as commentary on the current state of NK or even USA, then by all means but I’ve seen nothing indicating that to be the case.

    As someone said on RNZ, a movie that was almost guaranteed a cinema flop is now essentially guaranteed a huge DVD/BR release.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1
      22 December 2014 at 6:09 am

      The idea that NK would have the capability of taking down a big film studio in such an obviously Hollywood way is pretty much ludicrous.

      That’s some lovely shiny prejudice you got there. North Koreans can’t code?

      • hoom 14.1.1
        22 December 2014 at 12:48 pm

        North Korea has a very low number of computers, extremely limited internet (physical infrastructure, state control of content & very likely death for being caught hacking)

        A quick google shows there are under 3,000 IPs assigned to North Korea.

        Its about the least likely place in the world to have bred a bunch of master hackers.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1.1.1
          22 December 2014 at 1:39 pm

          Oh, do they breed? I thought they learn those sorts of skills at Westminster University.

        • batweka 14.1.1.2
          22 December 2014 at 1:47 pm

          hoom, do you think the NK government has no IT specialists skilled enough for this?

          • hoom 14.1.1.2.1
            22 December 2014 at 3:35 pm

            Well they are much more likely to be found in countries with largely unrestricted internet access in the millions…

            • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1.1.2.1.1
              22 December 2014 at 4:11 pm

              That’s where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. Now, I know some of you are going to say, “I did look it up, and that’s not true.” That’s ’cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that’s how our nervous system works.

              Stephen Colbert.

  15. Bill 15
    21 December 2014 at 11:05 am

    Just been skim reading across the web on this and am wondering if people are rolling across the floor clutching their sides…somewhere in Beijing.

    What a nice riposte to all the US web based sabotage and snooping it would represent, if indeed, N.Korea’s main sponsor proved to be behind all this malarkey.

    Like I said up thread, it’s not the film or its contents that I see as the issue, but the contortions being undertaken by the US admin as it seeks to gain moral high ground in the presence of a void.

    • batweka 15.1
      21 December 2014 at 1:05 pm

      The one I’m finding interesting is Obama coming out saying Sony was wrong to pull the movie, and in the next breath saying the internet is the wild west and needs to be controlled more 🙄

      (apparently the US movie industry is about to do another big push to legally remove net neutrality)

  16. Morrissey 16
    21 December 2014 at 11:23 am

    “In solidarity with Sony”?!!??!?

    You must have a screw loose. You cannot be serious. Sony, in case you’ve been in a Hobbit Hole for the last two years, is a part of the gang attacking Kim Dotcom….

    The record labels are understood to be Warner Music, UMG Recordings, Sony Music and Capitol Records, while the film companies are 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Columbia Pictures and Warner Brothers.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11270566

    • Murray Rawshark 16.1
      21 December 2014 at 8:14 pm

      Pretty much my thoughts as well. I bet the film isn’t funny either. I’d expect 90 minutes of racist stereotypes.
      I suspect the whole bloody thing is a marketing ploy anyway.

  17. Rolf 17
    21 December 2014 at 3:06 pm

    You need to ask yourself too i war propaganda, sedition, and defamation is part of free speech, and if not, where is the boundary. Obviously the film has been found seriously insulting to another country and that country’s leader.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1
      22 December 2014 at 1:59 pm

      …insulting…

      Um, yeah, and so is any decent comedian worth their salt. Your point is?

      • RedLogix 17.1.1
        22 December 2014 at 3:35 pm

        Even comedians know there are some places you shouldn’t go. As more than a few jesters have found just after their head got handed to them.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1.1.1
          22 December 2014 at 3:46 pm

          Cruel despots have also been known to suffer similar fates.

          When they came for the comedians, I spoke out, even though I’m not a comedian 😉

  18. tracey 18
    21 December 2014 at 5:15 pm

    I am still trying to understand why so many people said hager was exploiting stolen emails but all our major media pounced on the hacked/stolen sony emails to sell their press ads and space.

  19. xanthe 19
    22 December 2014 at 7:57 am

    There is really no evdence apart from FBI say so that NKorea sponsored the hack. There are however very good reasons why sony would promote that myth. They are faceing huge civil damages for lax security of employees personal data. Look at the timeline of the hack and releases of info. There was no wiff of geopolitical motive but a strong theme of corporate overreach untill suddenly it was all about some low budget “comedy”. This is damage control (by increasing the damage!)

    • One Anonymous Bloke 19.1
      22 December 2014 at 3:59 pm

      So that’s drawing quite a long bow, assuming Sony has that much control over the FBI. You’d have to assume the evidence for said control would be part of the hack, eh.

  20. Draco T Bastard 20
    22 December 2014 at 3:25 pm

    This guy asks an important question.

    • RedLogix 20.1
      22 December 2014 at 4:27 pm

      SONY is no longer just a Japanese corporation – it’s a global one and as such operates very much within the US sphere of influence.

  21. Phil 21
    22 December 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Scott Adams makes some good (and some long-bow) points on this.

    It’s not the Job of Sony to protect the american constitution. It’s also also not their job to put the lives of their employees, and the lives of their clients and associates employees, in unnecessary danger.

    http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/sony_and_the_hackers/

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T03:49:30+00:00