Well articulated David. It always makes me uncomfortable to see the media in a self righteous huddle interviewing itself. Newshub’s The Nation had me grinding my teeth last weekend as it resorted to ’gotcha’ instead of seeking answers. It was also a case of badly misjudged tone, which requires a degree of nuance in a time of pandemic. Asking difficult questions is one thing, but gotcha huffing and puffing is quite another thing in this context. So far, we have no smoking gun with regard to the origin of transmission and the likely culprit will be a fatigued worker who slipped up in some small way. As in Norway, Taiwan, and other countries similar to our own, eliminating the virus requires high trust in our leaders and institutions. We trust them to do their best and we cut them them a degree of slack (no pun) when something momentarily slips by them. Did they fix it quickly and learn from it is what most people want to know. In contrast to The Nation was Q&A, where a variety of opinions were canvassed, opposition figures given a voice and an expert from the WHO asked to critique our situation. I didn’t grind my teeth once. These are extraordinary times and in extraordinary times we need a particular type in journalism. To question and probe without eroding public confidence. But what do I know, I’m only a music journalist and one of the 5 million.
Anybody studying the human condition is likely to be sad and angry more often than uplifted. Decent people tend to live their decent lives and while being kind and caring in their own circle rarely looking out of it. It’s only the driven who can’t “let it go” who burn and explode at the injustices of the world. They are the ones who agitate for change who the powerful wish would go away. Thank God for them, but boy are they hell to live with.
Thanks for this. I have tried really hard to be sympathetic to the media for holding the government to account, however the relentless focus and lack of perspective has just been something else. The Checkpoint interview last week with Darren Webb was another prime example.
And as for the opinion makers, it just seems to be a big race to the bottom, followed by a lot of woe-is-me when the poor opinion is criticized.
Thank you David. As a complete news junkie (me), you provide a much needed antidote to the sanctimonious shit that passes for journalism these days. I can only imagine that NZ journalists feel that they are missing out on the fun they would be having covering Trump and so feel the need to operate as if our govt operates in the same way. Haven’t quite been able to cancel the Sunday “news”paper yet but think I am close to having given up. Keep up the great work.
Totally agree. Michael Morrah holding himself up as some kind of avenging angel on a quest to slay the dragon of incompetence. At least he did admitted that the Commentators; Hosking, HDPA, Garner, Plunkett, Hooton et al don't help with a balanced view. But I have to say he doesn't either taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. BTW made cheese puffs today OMG so delicious.
Love it, though I detect a hint of sadness and anger in this one. Or maybe is it me. It's becoming increasingly depressing with HDPAs and the Hokings, the Hawkesbys and the Plunkets and Williams, Hootons, God, the list goes on. What is it? Is it some kind of rite of passage, or did these people come from childhoods of torturing small insects and animals for pleasure. Do they think they are the "cool gang" or something, but frankly many, if not all, of them are actually endangering this country, and imho going too far.
well, I don't think DG should resign, but he DID get it wrong (? lied) regarding ARC, PPE and vaccine availability in the first L4 lockdown. It is great that he did not succumb to politicians saying "follow Singapore"... "follow Australia"... "follow Taiwan"... etc etc. Everyone makes mistakes and if DG does not want to be asked if he's going to resign, then he should acknowledge that he has learned from his mistakes. To date, I haven't seen him do this, so what would make him acknowledge what he's learned? A Royal Commission?
Totally agree with you. Its very disheartening to hear the media circus concentrating on the blame game rather than properly investigating what's gone wrong on the odd occasion, and then figuring out what's been behind NZ's seeming lack of coordination in the health system. Wouldn't be anything to do with the previous Nat govt undermining and underfunding it for years, would it? ?
Thank you for articulating what I was trying to screech at the radio
Well articulated David. It always makes me uncomfortable to see the media in a self righteous huddle interviewing itself. Newshub’s The Nation had me grinding my teeth last weekend as it resorted to ’gotcha’ instead of seeking answers. It was also a case of badly misjudged tone, which requires a degree of nuance in a time of pandemic. Asking difficult questions is one thing, but gotcha huffing and puffing is quite another thing in this context. So far, we have no smoking gun with regard to the origin of transmission and the likely culprit will be a fatigued worker who slipped up in some small way. As in Norway, Taiwan, and other countries similar to our own, eliminating the virus requires high trust in our leaders and institutions. We trust them to do their best and we cut them them a degree of slack (no pun) when something momentarily slips by them. Did they fix it quickly and learn from it is what most people want to know. In contrast to The Nation was Q&A, where a variety of opinions were canvassed, opposition figures given a voice and an expert from the WHO asked to critique our situation. I didn’t grind my teeth once. These are extraordinary times and in extraordinary times we need a particular type in journalism. To question and probe without eroding public confidence. But what do I know, I’m only a music journalist and one of the 5 million.
Anybody studying the human condition is likely to be sad and angry more often than uplifted. Decent people tend to live their decent lives and while being kind and caring in their own circle rarely looking out of it. It’s only the driven who can’t “let it go” who burn and explode at the injustices of the world. They are the ones who agitate for change who the powerful wish would go away. Thank God for them, but boy are they hell to live with.
Thanks for this. I have tried really hard to be sympathetic to the media for holding the government to account, however the relentless focus and lack of perspective has just been something else. The Checkpoint interview last week with Darren Webb was another prime example.
And as for the opinion makers, it just seems to be a big race to the bottom, followed by a lot of woe-is-me when the poor opinion is criticized.
Thank you David. As a complete news junkie (me), you provide a much needed antidote to the sanctimonious shit that passes for journalism these days. I can only imagine that NZ journalists feel that they are missing out on the fun they would be having covering Trump and so feel the need to operate as if our govt operates in the same way. Haven’t quite been able to cancel the Sunday “news”paper yet but think I am close to having given up. Keep up the great work.
Totally agree. Michael Morrah holding himself up as some kind of avenging angel on a quest to slay the dragon of incompetence. At least he did admitted that the Commentators; Hosking, HDPA, Garner, Plunkett, Hooton et al don't help with a balanced view. But I have to say he doesn't either taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. BTW made cheese puffs today OMG so delicious.
Love it, though I detect a hint of sadness and anger in this one. Or maybe is it me. It's becoming increasingly depressing with HDPAs and the Hokings, the Hawkesbys and the Plunkets and Williams, Hootons, God, the list goes on. What is it? Is it some kind of rite of passage, or did these people come from childhoods of torturing small insects and animals for pleasure. Do they think they are the "cool gang" or something, but frankly many, if not all, of them are actually endangering this country, and imho going too far.
well, I don't think DG should resign, but he DID get it wrong (? lied) regarding ARC, PPE and vaccine availability in the first L4 lockdown. It is great that he did not succumb to politicians saying "follow Singapore"... "follow Australia"... "follow Taiwan"... etc etc. Everyone makes mistakes and if DG does not want to be asked if he's going to resign, then he should acknowledge that he has learned from his mistakes. To date, I haven't seen him do this, so what would make him acknowledge what he's learned? A Royal Commission?
This is brilliant. Puts things in perspective. I wonder if Michael Murrah will read this
Your take on the Mediawatch interview with Michael Morah is spot on. Thank you for putting this in perspective.
Holding to account? or just trying to replace the governing party for one more acceptable to their paymasters.
Totally agree with you. Its very disheartening to hear the media circus concentrating on the blame game rather than properly investigating what's gone wrong on the odd occasion, and then figuring out what's been behind NZ's seeming lack of coordination in the health system. Wouldn't be anything to do with the previous Nat govt undermining and underfunding it for years, would it? ?
Brilliant as per usual. thank you.