NRT on RadioLive decision

Written By: - Date published: 9:17 am, April 1st, 2012 - 10 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, radio - Tags:

No Right Turn on the police decision not to lay charges against RadioLive:

The laws still mean nothing

The police have announced that they will not be laying charges over John Key’s pre-election radio show. Their reason? “Insufficient evidence”. Because obviously, merely having recordings of the thing, and the paper trail showing that the Prime Minister had his grubby paws all over it isn’t enough.

(The police might credibly have been able to argue that the law wasn’t clear, due to the disagreement between the BSA and Electoral Commission – but they didn’t)

Its a highly convenient decision for John Key – and highly convenient for the police, who won’t end up offside with the people making their budget decisions. But it again shows the flaws in our electoral law. Once again the police have been handed clear evidence of a breach, and once again they have failed to act. They’ve also failed to act on any of the dozen other cases handed to them last election cycle, and its hard to escape the conclusion that they just don’t see it as a “real” crime. Unlike, say, recording politicians in a public place at a media event they called…

Again, it has to be pointed out: this is a real crime, and it threatens the integrity of our democracy. If the police are unwilling or incapable of dealing with that crime, then its time we gave the job to a body which can. And that body is the Electoral Commission.

10 comments on “NRT on RadioLive decision ”

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  1. tc 1
    1 April 2012 at 9:31 am

    ‘this is a real crime, and it threatens the integrity of our democracy.. ‘ pretty much sums up the tenure of NACT with the theft of our assets via asset sales to come.

    Then there’s tranzrail, blind trusts, wong, worth, Ecan, broadband deal etc etc what a great set of Books maybe even a few films Shonkeys time will make with Hagar’s the Hollowmen being the prequeal.

    At least the publishing/entertainment industry should profit from not being on the inside, bugger all else will.

  2. ianmac 2
    1 April 2012 at 10:24 am

    And Andrew Geddis has a thought or two on the inconsistencies between the teatape decision and the PM Electioneering on Radio. Maybe Police need a better spindoctor to explain some of their decisions?
    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/spot-the-difference

  3. Blue 3
    1 April 2012 at 11:13 am

    It’s been pretty obvious that the police are in John Key’s pocket ever since they defamed Bradley Ambrose just to get in good with him.

    It’s scary to realise just how fragile democracy in this country is.

    • Tiger Mountain 3.1
      1 April 2012 at 1:23 pm

      Indeed, when you factor in the Search and Surveillence Act which greatly extends state snooping powers and hundreds of thousands of “don’t know, don’t wanna know” kiwis.

      Like the character in ‘Batman Returns’ said “This town’s so bent who ya gonna rat to…”

      • freedom 3.1.1
        1 April 2012 at 1:32 pm

        btw…it was Jim Gordon in Batman Begins
        “In a town this bent, who’s there to rat to anyway? ”

        we are talking Batman here, this is serious stuff :]

        • Tiger Mountain 3.1.1.1
          1 April 2012 at 1:41 pm

          Suitably corrected, not a major fan so should have checked first, had a feeling when I typed it the title was wrong, it was one with Chrisitan Bale in I think.

    • seeker 3.2
      1 April 2012 at 4:13 pm

      Too true Blue @ 11.32am

    • Bored 3.3
      2 April 2012 at 6:30 am

      Indeed it is scary how fragile democracy has become worldwide, not just here. For example last weeks debacle in UK with the Deputy Chancellor of the Exchequer getting caught selling off Camerons time to the highest bidder. Prior administrations would have been turfed out, but not this lot.

      One commonality: the financier / banker sector is in charge in all democracies at the moment, Key is one of them.

  4. ghostwhowalksnz 4
    1 April 2012 at 11:16 am

    Cant quite see how the police can refer to the conflicting decisions from Broadcasting Standards and Electoral Commission. They are only required to consider the election law.
    There is a whole swag of referrals for breaches of election law
    http://www.elections.org.nz/study/news/

    By not testing them in court they are essentially gutting the law.

    The decision about ACT on campus will be awaited but I think we know what it will be.

  5. tracey 5
    2 April 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Key joked about it at the halberg awards but refused to comment publicly. I am glad the police arent wasting their time on it but am sorry the public still dont see thru this guy and his team

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