Right and Righter

Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, October 17th, 2014 - 34 comments
Categories: Media, national, radio - Tags: , , , ,

I know we lefties go on and on about how right-wing the media is. But it’s hard not to innit? I mean – ffs:

Hosking v Henry: Heavyweights to lock horns in radio breakfast battle

Broadcasting heavyweights Mike Hosking and Paul Henry will go head-to-head at breakfast time after a major media reshuffle. Henry will host a breakfast show to be broadcast next year simultaneously on TV3 and RadioLive – both owned by MediaWorks. …

The new programme, which MediaWorks called the country’s “first cross-platform show”, will replace both Firstline on TV3 and the breakfast show on RadioLive.

That’s right punters, you have a choice for morning radio between Right and Righter! (Or RNZ, also Right but at least they are professional journalists about it.) Fans of the axed Marcus Lush morning slot aren’t happy, but what do they matter!

Hosking, Henry, National and SkyCity – it’s all so cozy. SkyCity? What have they got to do with it? I’m glad you asked. From 2012:

Critics slam Sky City pokie deal

The Government is unashamedly considering changing the law to allow hundreds more pokie machines at Sky City’s Auckland casino in return for a national convention centre, despite evidence it will increase problem gambling and reduce the amount of money gaming machines return to the local community. …

There has been concern lately about Sky City’s influence in the media after reports television and radio hosts Mike Hosking and Paul Henry had earned up to $2000 a month from the casino.

and…

Hosking is a talented interviewer – arguably New Zealand’s best. He is at present TVNZ’s only fill-in for Mark Sainsbury. Ironically the other regular Close Up fill-in was Paul Henry, who had a similar deal with SkyCity. …

It beggars belief why someone like him would form a commercial relationship with an NZX-listed company that is frequently the subject of controversy.

And so on. Power, money, dirty politics, dirty deals, and ownership of the media – good luck New Zealand!

34 comments on “Right and Righter ”

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  1. Peter 1
    17 October 2014 at 7:20 am

    ……. the Right have this country completely sown up. Apart from the Greens, the Left are being portrayed as disorganised rabble. Is there a leader on the Left who can turn this seemingly impossible situation around?

    • minarch 1.1
      17 October 2014 at 12:19 pm

      “Is there a leader on the Left who can turn this seemingly impossible situation around?”

      Simon Bolivar ?

    • Murray Rawshark 1.2
      17 October 2014 at 7:42 pm

      When the people get moving, leaders will appear. They’re no doubt out there already, but marginalised by the focus on parliament and the Labour party.

  2. Paul 2
    17 October 2014 at 7:26 am

    Just when you thought the media in this country could get no worse.
    And what does this say about the media bosses’ perception of middle New Zealand.
    Crass, sexist, racist and superficial. They only put these muppets on because they want their ratings up to gain more advertising revenue.

    The Australians rejected Henry’s brand. However, I sense sufficient ‘middle New Zealanders’ have been sufficiently dumbed down and depoliticised by 30 years of neoliberalism that they will lap up the H and H’s bigotry, hate speech and casual fascism.

    Sad days for a once great country.

    • Rodel 2.1
      17 October 2014 at 8:24 am

      Hoskings-Henry- Never watch them now..waste of brain. Life is more informed without them.

    • NZ Sage 2.2
      17 October 2014 at 9:55 am

      “…I sense sufficient ‘middle New Zealanders’ have been sufficiently dumbed down and depoliticised by 30 years of neoliberalism …”

      And therein lays the root of the problem in NZ. Since Helen Clark there has not been a credible leader on the left and boy how the right and their media lap dogs such as Henry and Hoskin have taken the opportunity to smash the left into oblivion.

      I also fear for the future of NZ under the control these selfish right wing b******s!

    • Murray Rawshark 2.3
      17 October 2014 at 9:37 pm

      The sort of tripe that Paul Henry dribbles out of his stupid mouth appeals to xenophobic bigots. Of course the Australian xenophobes wouldn’t have liked a Kiwi. He’s only appreciated at home.

      As you say, Paul, sad days.

  3. les 3
    17 October 2014 at 7:55 am

    this is why its so important Labour get the leader who has broad appeal and puts unity first.The whole country will morph into a satellite state of the U.S…IF IT ISN’T ALREADY.

  4. Lanthanide 4
    17 October 2014 at 9:23 am

    Not really sure how they’re going to run a simultaneous TV and radio show, because what works on TV where you can see what they’re talking about, clearly won’t work on radio.

    • Enough is Enough 4.1
      17 October 2014 at 9:30 am

      It is a strange one, unless we just watch Henry in the radio studio.

      Radio Live streams 3 News at 6 but that is also quite annoying because they refer to graphics that you obviously cannot see when listening on the wireless.

      I have worked in quite a few countries in the past 15 years and I cant recall this concept ever been produced. It is certainly unique.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.2
      17 October 2014 at 9:34 am

      The word ‘limiting’ comes to mind. Unless the radio audience is going to miss lots of content.

    • tc 4.3
      17 October 2014 at 9:44 am

      cost reduction masquerading as innovative broadcasting for the sheeple.

      more profit and with the kids paddling pool that is the MSM in NZild who do they have to beat.

      maybe we can get to see what that dog whistle looks like when used on radio.

  5. karol 5
    17 October 2014 at 10:10 am

    Hosking & Henry – part of John Key’s 2 track 3 track strategy?

    Bringing NZ’s nasty underbelly to the forefront?

    I prefer to spend my mornings online, with a little Al Jazeera, possibly a little RNZ. And then wait for the better TV hosts later in the day or week – John Campbell, Lisa Owen, Mediawatch on RNZ, Native Affairs (with the superlative Mihingarangi Forbes on Maori TV, etc.

    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 5.1
      17 October 2014 at 10:18 am

      Karol, do you mean to say that you find news sources that suit your world view? How is this possible what with, you know, Henry and Hoskin, on TV?

      • karol 5.1.1
        17 October 2014 at 10:28 am

        I find more diversity of views elsewhere. But, a whole lot of Kiwis don’t bother looking beyond what’s on the main TV and radio channels, and during selected peak periods.

        It means NZ and the world is not under direct dictatorship. It means that various commercial (and politically aligned) interests work to manipulate people’s views via market-style methods of persuasion – t’is the politics of deception, and of 2 and probably 3 track strategies that Key and allies have been honing to an ever more sophisticated level.

    • tc 5.2
      17 October 2014 at 10:21 am

      Hold that thought on the excellent Forbes…..Maxwells silver hammer coming soon.

  6. greywarshark 6
    17 October 2014 at 10:15 am

    Mediaworks cross-platform show. Is this for people affected by late and missing transport who are travelling by train? There could be quite a lot of listeners in this group from time to time.

    That’s a confrontation in that picture on the last link! A punch to the jaw of a protester by a ‘heavy’ – pushing of placard holders.
    TDB doesn’t explain the location and situation. I don’t watch television so lack experience of seeing this for myself on the box.

    And who is that fat contented fellow in the top image? He looks like that fool Ford from Toronto, but I suppose is our NZ equivalent. Who?
    edited

  7. grumpyrawshark 7
    17 October 2014 at 10:20 am

    Do what I did,
    complain to an advertiser that you’ll never by their product because they advertise on XYZ network. ( a bit of a backstory on why you find their (media) stance so repulsive and how by advertising on them effectively means the product is endorsing the beliefs of the presenter helps too.)
    That worked for me, as a result newstalk ZB has one less client after I had a few casual beers with a friend of a friend..
    Think global, act local.

  8. repateet 8
    17 October 2014 at 10:34 am

    On both sides of a room have a radio on – one with Hosking, one with Henry.

    There you have it, the newest game in town – stereophonic idiots!

    • karol 8.1
      17 October 2014 at 10:38 am

      Idiots? Reminds me of this in an article on Aussie critic of the year, James Ley, on the Pantograph Punch:

      Picking up on a thread from Daniel Mendohlson recently about the etymology of idiot (“a true idiot, in other words, is ‘someone who acts in public as if they were still in private’”) he reflects on the way a proliferation of memoirs has become a proliferation of statuses and forum comments, the accumulation of collaged consumption that passes for a David Shields book. Casually, by-the-by, he says it: “We are living in an age of idiots, in the etymologically precise sense of the word.”

      • Rodel 8.1.1
        17 October 2014 at 8:19 pm

        Karol- Could you please rephrase that James Ley bit in one syllable words, preferably 4 letter or less words so Gormless Oleo whatsisname might understand.
        Thanks

  9. philj 9
    17 October 2014 at 10:58 am

    A new, alternative media is essential in NZ. It’s starting to appear with web sites, blogs, podcasts, Video channels etc. What is required is a high quality state broadcaster, but that’s presently unrealistic under the current regime. Calling the Left ( maybe Labour? ) start working on policy for a properly resourced independent state broadcaster. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

  10. Clemgeopin 10
    17 October 2014 at 12:05 pm

    There has been concern lately about Sky City’s influence in the media after reports television and radio hosts Mike Hosking and Paul Henry had earned up to $2000 a month from the casino,

    What does that mean actually? Did they get paid by Sky City? If so, for what?

  11. Simple Simon 11
    17 October 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Thank Christ I am deaf and don’t have to listen to both the buffoons.
    And at night I have the remote to dodge looking at either, so a win win for me.

  12. dave brown 12
    17 October 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Stop moaning about the corporate media.
    What do you expect them to do to make profits?
    Get out in support of those building alternative media.
    Fight for internet freedom.
    Encrypt you communications.
    This is class war and they are winning.

    • Peter 12.1
      17 October 2014 at 5:11 pm

      …. this from someone who is not involved in the media and has little understanding of how it works …….. why not have one “umbrella” site that links the left of center articles/blogs/etc. This would allow those wanting an alternative to MSM to readily find relevant updated articles etc sourced from one location ….. it may have more universal appeal for those who don’t spend their time searching the web.

  13. Aerobubble 13
    18 October 2014 at 9:45 am

    Its inspiring to find yet another thread talk in negatively about the right rather than reintegrating and debating positive policies. A CGT thread, maybe then the leader would not gaff at the next question over trusts.

  14. Red delusion 14
    18 October 2014 at 5:40 pm

    If there is a huge untapped demand for left wing media, put your money where your mouth is, nothing is stopping a such a company been set up and based on collective wisdom of above it can’t loose, with the huge untapped demand just waiting to be bored senseless

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1
      18 October 2014 at 5:50 pm

      Too funny, you agree with the premise, that the media are bought, and the Right bought them.

      Smarter and smarterer 😆