NZ media asleep at the wheel
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1:37 pm, November 18th, 2010 - 31 comments
Categories: john key, Media, workers' rights -
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Democracy is quietly dying in NZ but you’d never know it by the media’s response. The government is rushing through a slew* of legislation under urgency and it doesn’t even rate a mention in either the Herald or the DomPost (the DP devotes half a page to Harry and Kate’s engagement for god’s sake).
National Radio mentioned the employment laws going though last night (8000 submissions on that one) but had nothing this morning even though one of the bills going through in this indecent haste is Rodney Hide’s Local Government Amendment Bill. Hundreds of people and organisations made submissions on this bill which opens the gates to communty asset sales and the virtual privatisation of water. BTW last night Phil Twyford made a great speech about this.
And could someone from the media ask John Key to front an important issue for a change please, he is still the Prime Minister, right?
* the second reading of the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, • the first reading of the Māori Purposes Bill, • the interrupted second reading and committee stage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No 2), • the second reading and committee stage of the Holidays Amendment Bill, • the passing through their remaining stages of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill, the Education Amendment Bill (No 2), and the Child and Family Protection Bill, and of any bills into which those bills may be divided, • the committee stages of the Ngāti Apa (North Island) Claims Settlement Bill and Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill, and • the second reading of the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill.
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- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...1 week ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...1 week ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...1 week ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...2 weeks ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...2 weeks ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
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- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism on the table for Pacific Ministers’ meet-up
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- $18 million being invested in the victims of crime
The Government is putting more than $18 million towards improving the experience of the criminal justice system for victims, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Minister for Children Karen Chhour say. “No one should experience crime, but for those who through no fault of their own become victims, they need to ...5 hours ago
- Landmark phonics check in te reo Māori
For the first time, schools can use a purpose-built tool to check how a child is progressing in reading through te reo Māori. “Around 45 schools are trialling a New Zealand first te reo Māori phonics check, known as Hihira Weteoro. It will help kaiako (teachers) focus on what ākonga ...6 hours ago
- New sea walls safeguard Ōpōtiki’s transformation
Two new breakwater walls at Pākihikura (Ōpōtiki) Harbour will provide boats with safe harbour access to support the continued growth of aquaculture in Bay of Plenty, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say. The Ministers and leaders from Tē Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea and other ...8 hours ago
- Kitmap to improve access to science infrastructure
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced an online platform to optimise the use of New Zealand’s science and technology research infrastructure and to link the public and private sector. “This country is home to world-class science, technology, and engineering expertise. Kitmap is set to empower Kiwi innovators, ...8 hours ago
- Driving the uptake of low emission heavy vehicles
The Government has launched the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (LEHVF) to promote innovation and offset the cost of hundreds of heavy vehicles powered by clean technologies, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts say. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan ...8 hours ago
- Speech on replacing the Resource Management Act
Replacing the RMA Hon Chris Bishop: Good morning, it is great to be with you. Can I first acknowledge the Resource Management Law Association for hosting us here today. Can I also acknowledge my Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Simon Court, who is on stage with me. He has assisted me in establishing the ...8 hours ago
- Replacement for the Resource Management Act takes shape
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- Tough laws pass to make gang life uncomfortable
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- New levy rates set to ensure continued funding of FENZ
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the rates for the redesigned levy that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) from July 2026. “Earlier this year FENZ consulted publicly on a 5.2 percent increase to the levy. I was not convinced that ...1 day ago
- Police allocate Officers to Beat and Gang Units
The Coalition Government welcomes Police’s announcement today to deploy more police on the beat and staff to Gang Disruption Units. An additional 70 officers will be allocated to Community Beat Teams across towns and regional centres. This builds on the deployment of beat officers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch CBDs ...1 day ago
- Consultation begins on significant updates to the biosecurity system
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- Wānaka community to benefit from new overnight health service
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says an Overnight Acute Care Service opening in October will provide people in Wānaka and the surrounding area with the assurance of quality overnight care closer to home. “When I was in Wānaka earlier this year, I announced funding for an overnight health service – ...1 day ago
- Preventing potholes with data-driven technology
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- GDP data shows effect of high interest rates
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- NZ to host first Fiji, Australia trilateral trade Ministers’ meeting in Rotorua
Trade Minister Todd McClay will host Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua this weekend. “Fiji is one of the largest economies in the Pacific and is a respected partner for Australia and New Zealand,” Mr McClay says. Australia and New Zealand ...1 day ago
- NZ hosts Annual CER Trade Ministers’ meeting in Rotorua
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- Government proposing changes to jury trials
The Government is seeking the public’s feedback on two major changes to jury trials in order to improve court timeliness, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The first proposal would increase the offence threshold at which a defendant can decide to have their case heard by a jury. “The second is ...1 day ago
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- More funding for Growing Up in New Zealand study
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- Tough targets for charter schools will raise achievement
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- NZ votes for Middle East resolution at UN
New Zealand has voted for a United Nations resolution on Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian Territory with some caveats, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand’s yes vote is fundamentally a signal of our strong support for international law and the need for a two-state solution,” Mr Peters says. “The Israel-Palestine ...1 day ago
- Honouring the legacy of New Zealand’s suffragists
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- Foreign Minister to travel to New York, French Polynesia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to New York next week to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, followed by a visit to French Polynesia. “In the context of the myriad regional and global crises, our engagements in New York will demonstrate New Zealand’s strong support for ...2 days ago
- Thanking social workers on their national day
“Today, on Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day, I would like to recognise the tremendous effort social workers make not just today, but every day,” Children’s Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says. “I thank all those working on the front line for ...2 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Laos for ASEAN meetings
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg will travel to Laos this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane. “The Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with ASEAN,” Ms Grigg says. “With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became ...2 days ago
- Members appointed to retail crime MAG
The Government has appointed four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “I am delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell to the group, as well as Waikato community advocate and business ...2 days ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation AGM and Conference 2024
It’s my pleasure to be here to join the opening of the NZNO AGM and Conference for 2024. First, I’d like to thank NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, NZNO President, Anne Daniels, and Chief Execuitve Paul Gaulter for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to all the NZNO members ...2 days ago
- Improvements for New Zealand authors
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says changes to the Public Lending Right [PLR] scheme will help benefit both the National Library and authors who have books available in New Zealand libraries. “I am amending the regulations so that eligible authors will no longer have to reapply every year ...3 days ago
- Minister commends Police for gang operation
Police Minister Mark Mitchell congratulates Police for the outstanding result of their most recent operation, targeting the Comancheros. “That Police have been able to round up the majority of the Comancheros leadership, and many of their patched members and prospects, shows not only the capability of Police, but also shows ...3 days ago
- New appointments to the EPA board
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- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
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- FamilyBoost childcare payment registrations open
From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...3 days ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...4 days ago
- Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...4 days ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...4 days ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...4 days ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
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- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...4 days ago
- Many people in the Pacific lack access to adequate toilets – and climate change makes things worse
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So there is a good (?) reason to use Urgency! The quickness of the eye deceives the distracted MSM.
I wish that the the media was good enough that the government needed to distract it in the first place.
Sadly, it isn’t.
They had a big spiel about it on the news last night as well and nobody cares and yet they missed that bit out.
I’d still like to see some coverage from the MS about our PM saying that he wasn’t going to hold his MPs to account and that it was up to others to “ask the right questions”.
Is not so much asleep at the wheel but more a case of not even being in the vehicle.
It’s actually more being paid to look the other way or else get fired. Remember the journo who wrote about the little gem he overheard about Johnny loving it if the wages came down? They came down on him like a ton of bricks just to get the message across.
just looking and wtf is the TVNZ amendment bill doing anybody ? Can I guess that it’s relaxing (removing) charter requirements or similar.
Yep, you can.
Neither of the employment bills are law yet. They have not passed their 3rd Reading.
[lprent: Obviously on my spam list for past behaviour. But a relevant comment – passing through. ]
As there’s currently a shift away from neoliberal economic policies, and the whole thing is up for debate, maybe it’s time for the MSM to reconsider some of it’s main underlying philosophies. Especially, NZ TV MSM news should be making a shift away from their Faux news model they’ve imported from a very different country, and look for something more relevant to NZ. The approach they use focuses on drama, conflict, ratings, using visual images, whether relevant or not, and a false application of media balance (ie, they present both sides, but the way one side is framed is often very positive and the opposition portrayed in a negative light.)
And I have started switching off the channel or TV altogether, every time the engagement of the royal bludgers is mentioned – is it true that with Freeview, the channels can tell how many people are logged in & when they log off?
tc, check today’s question time – questions being asked & answered in the House right now about TVNZ and the shift away from the charter.
News coverage focussing on celebrity meltdowns (and preparations for such meltdowns e.g. weddings), sensational crime, weather and sport is a waste of both space and time. The journalistic equivalent of fast food snacking in the dumpster.
“As there’s currently a shift away from neoliberal economic policies, and the whole thing is up for debate, maybe it’s time for the MSM to reconsider some of it’s main underlying philosophies.”
A shift away from neo liberal economic orthodoxy is a shift away from ‘down the corporates’ pants friendly’ economics. The MSM are corporate entities. They won’t reconsider any underlying philosophy (how can they?) but may well flail around looking for some effective reactionary strategy as the tide goes out on their fav economic model.
My guess is there will be a lot of fear spinning over the coming period…ie this is bad, but omg! look how much worse it would be if we changed horses, abandoned ship or got our heads up out of the sand!
We already sort of get that type of coverage insofar as prescriptions involving bank bailouts get positive or neutral coverage and coverage for alternatives are about zip. When the alternatives can’t be ignored or silenced through media employing the services of ‘the cone of silence’, we’ll get the fear trip.
Yes MSM what MSM? Anti spam word “seriously” and I have to agree who cares who the Prick marries, oh I mean Prince.
Just so we’re quite clear here, it’s William and Kate, not Harry. Harry is the brother and, thanks – I didn’t need those images in my head!
Harry is so obviously not Charles’ son anyway.
thanks for the clarification. they all look the same to me
“is it true that with Freeview, the channels can tell how many people are logged in & when they log off?”
Who knows…or cares…
If I relied on the MSM for my news (which the majority still do), I’d have a very different view of the world……..
As an aside, when a power glitch in East Australia knocked out Channel 7 for 15-20 mins some years back, and the screen was blank, ratings had channel 7 with 600,000 viewers for the period………go figure
With the digital boxes, possibly. Certainly not with the satellite dish systems.
“As an aside, when a power glitch in East Australia knocked out Channel 7 for 15-20 mins some years back, and the screen was blank, ratings had channel 7 with 600,000 viewers for the period………go figure”
That’s because the ratings figures are calculated from a very small group of people that have special devices connected to their TVs that monitor what channels they’re watching. From this, they statistically extrapolate out what the total audience figures should be. In theory the sample population is supposed to mirror the national demographics, but from the lecture given by someone from TVNZ to my media studies course at uni a few years ago, the NZ sample didn’t reflect it very well.
I have a freeview digital box. It seems to work much like a mini networked computer, and regularly updates itself when new channels go online. I would like to think the TV companies can tell if I “vote with my remote control.” I had heard that digital TV would provide instant feedback to the channels on viewership.
I mentioned the ratings kind of feedback, because that is part of what influences our TV news coverage. I suspect that most voters don’t get their main news info from the 6pm news, but enough of the “floating voters” probably do, and that could influence an election outcome. That is why we need a more balanced and critical news media that informs people more about important political developments. For instance, only just over 50% of people say they will vote NACT in the next election. That means that plenty of people are not influenced by the glowing coverage the MSM gives them. But the people (including many “floating voters”) who are most likely to accept what the MSM dishes out, are precisely the ones who don’t get any news from elsewhere
Geoff Lealand at Waikato Uni is very hot in the inaccuracies of ratings measurements. He says that in Aussie the ratings are gathered by two companies, and they come up with different results. In NZ only one company does the ratings, and the country’s population is too small to get an accurate measure from the samples.
Yeah, the general vibe I got from the TVNZ woman is that while they do use the ratings, and they are important, they’re not the be-all-and-end-all, as they appear to be for some channels in the US, for example.
Interesting, Lanthanide. So that would suggest they make their own calls on approach and content, and likely to be based on a slanted view, whether or not they intend it or are aware of the implications of their slant/bias.
Carol; when the MSM put one side in a good light and another in a negativw light asa you pointed out it is usually known as bias a word they don’t like to hear.
I do not own a TV so I don’t waste time and energy watching the adverts between the programed breakes.
It is very good for one’s mental health.
If you want reliable information the web is the place, although Murdock and Packer want to dominate itas well.
Drakula, yes it amounts to bias. But I’m not sure how aware the makers of such news are aware of their biases. They may believe they are including opposing views fairly objectively, at last some of the time. Daily news is created quickly, following a few rules, or patterns set by the broadcasters. Part of the Faux news approach seems to be to use the goodies vs baddies approach of entertainment TV.
Avioding TV news and/or all TV can be a good approach – I have done that during some periods of my life. However, anyone interested in how society & politics are operating these days, can learn something by seeing how off and online news media operate. I’ll be interested to see in the next national elections, how influenced voters seem to have been by the old TV news media. eg Brown won Auckland, even though it seemed most older forms of MSM seemed to present him more negatively than they did Banks.
Hmmm… well let’s see how THIS gets reported in tonight’s TV news – I’m not optimistic:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4360572/Prime-Minister-under-attack-on-hustings
Stuff refers to the protesters as putting JK under “seige” and as “gatecrashers”… yes, Bill, I can see the MSM going from negative slurs to fear.
The shouter that attacked Matt McCarten got a good showing on last night’s news.
Be interesting how they deal with the shoe on the other foot. Or is it a boot?
Well, there you have it – according to TV3 news, the pro McCarten anti-Key, anti-GST protesters were “rent-a-mob” and, like the candidates, were not from Mana, but shipped in to treat key with disrespect – according to Key, they have a right to protest & he will treat them with respect, even if they don’t treat him with respect.
Reminds me of when Shipwreck was top dog and visited a shopping mall – there was a huge police presence – seems to be a theme for National leaders
And 75% on TV3’s online poll say the royal bludgers are a bore,
http://www.3news.co.nz/default.aspx
and yet, they are on the promo again for tonight’s 6pm news. Is anyone at TV3 paying any attention?
I reckon the likes of media watch on radionat should get visual on find a home on stratos or similar because it’s accurate, unbiased and very intelligently assembled.
Simply listening to it makes you realise what a kindergarten level of ability is on show in our MSM today.
the media has been emasculated for some time now.
journalists are not scholars and have no deep understanding of the world and most of all they know that any threat of legal action will result in their immediate dismissal.
and they are being shoulder tapped by the their tutors so o0nly the right wingers are actually getting the jobs anyway.
all in all it is a very sad end to reporting the truth and events that has slowly been forced into only promoting the owners ideiology and to hell with the rest of it.
its like fast food.
more and more bun but less and less substance and nutrition.