Open democracy?

Written By: - Date published: 1:03 pm, November 30th, 2010 - 18 comments
Categories: democratic participation, Media - Tags: ,

There used to be a webcam in the Beehive Theatrette run by R2 that broadcast the PM’s Post-Cabinet press conference. Anyone who wanted to could go to the site and watch the press conference live and uncut. It was direct access for the public, the very model of digital democracy. Now, that service is gone. R2 was being asked to pay unaffordable ‘sponsorship’ to have the webcam and Parliament blocked access for maintenance. So much for transparency.

Here’s R2’s statement on the loss of the webcam:

This webcam was sponsored by R2.co.nz. It allowed  viewers to watch proceedings in the Beehive Theatrette. On a typical week at around 4pm, The Prime Minister delivers a post-Cabinet meeting Media Briefing. This and other events  were  recorded  and made available afterwards.

The webcam has been withdrawn for two reasons

1. We can no longer afford to sponsor it.

2. We have been unable to gain access to maintain the equipment. Our Parliamentary access was withdrawn  with no explanation and an application for new acreditation has gone unanswered.

It got too hard.

Now if you want to know what happened in the PM’s one regular media appearance per week that is not a soft interview, you’ll have to hope that some press gallery journalist decides to tell you. You’ll have to rely on their filter.

It is disgraceful that John Key has allowed this valuable service to be lost. Frankly, it should be provided by the government, maybe through the Parliament website like the coverage of the House is, for example. It shouldn’t be left to a private company and that private company certainly shouldn’t be charged for the right and obstructed from providing their service.

18 comments on “Open democracy? ”

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  1. tc 1
    30 November 2010 at 2:24 pm

    Yet another example of the nats control of the media and information flow therein, subtle and very effective….this is not surprising as Key was coming across as an A grade chump in these sessions unable to answer or even give a passable politico ‘no answer’.

    Given these were post cabinet it clearly showed our PM had SFA idea about what’s going on even when he’s was in the room which shows…
    a) he doesn’t pay attention
    b) it’s over his head
    c) he doesn’t give an F
    d) all of the above.

    SO CT would’ve said…this has to go, but do it indirectly and don’t leave a trail this time clowns.

  2. Jim Nald 2
    30 November 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Too dangerous to have it there ?
    So it had to go ?
    Come on, what is the real reason?

  3. JJ 3
    30 November 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Over reaction much?

    I’m sure if anything important is said it will end up being reported. Seriously, how many people even used or new of this service…

    • Bright Red 3.1
      30 November 2010 at 4:22 pm

      I’m sure if anything important is said it will end up being reported”

      That’s the ‘why do you need rights, the State only arrests criminals’ attitude right there.

    • Rex Widerstrom 3.2
      30 November 2010 at 5:06 pm

      To paraphrase Ted Kennedy, you should not be asking “why”, but asking “why not” (have a webcam in the Theatrette)?

      You have a point that not many people knew about this (I didn’t till this post, and I consider myself a political tragic) but that’s an argument for more exposure, not less.

      And a general question – what costs were involved?! A bit of bandwidth once a week??

      • M 3.2.1
        30 November 2010 at 10:12 pm

        ‘I consider myself a political tragic’

        Fabulous turn of phrase, Rex – will have to adopt this 🙂

  4. freedom 4
    30 November 2010 at 3:27 pm

    “I’m sure if anything important is said it will end up being reported”

    that is gonna keep a smile on my face for weeks,
    absolutely brilliant material, and I thought there was no decent comedy written in New Zealand

  5. tc 5
    30 November 2010 at 4:29 pm

    absolutely freedom…..the hilarity knows no bounds even considering sarcasm is the lowest form of wit ….whanau ora anybody ? Sideshow’s blind trust ? D. Carter/Wong ? A social development minister who gets months off from the job we pay paid her to do? Economy? Jobs?….etc etc

  6. hobbit 6
    30 November 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Nice to see the fringes of society getting worked up over the removal of a web camera from the Beehive. Meanwhile, back on planet earth…

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