If the Acting PM is late, spitting your dummy is not such a good idea.
In what other country would this happen? The nation’s leader arrives a few minutes late for a television interview and is banned by the programme for six weeks as a punishment.
Then after audience feedback – along the lines of “What are you? Twelve?!” – the wallahs at Newshub relent and ask the leader back – only to find he has booked himself with another country’s TV show for the next six weeks to punish them. If you’re going to fight like a 12-year-old, best not go up against someone who can fight like a 13-year-old.
Yes, this is low-audience AM up against low-vote leader Winston Peters. A sandpit row. And over nothing. He wasn’t late on purpose – though he has been known to be – but because the Prime Minister’s office mucked up the schedule. Still, for a mainstream media outlet to act in such a puerile and disrespectful fashion to the Acting PM is a troubling sign.
Sure, there was an element of opportunistic shock-jockery (on both sides). AM’s channel, Three, is struggling for audience attention, but what media outlet isn’t these days? It could also be a symptom of the lingering resentment some still have at the election outcome; it was galling enough that 7% Peters kept 44% National out of office in favour of 36% Labour, but now he’s our actual leader.
It’s just what happens in a country that isn’t big enough for even three degrees of separation, and in which informality is a quasi-religion. Media access to politicians here is free and easy compared with most other countries. Even in Australia, reporters can’t bowl up to ministers in the corridors, let alone bail up the PM the way we do on a daily basis.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin July 14-20 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin July 14-20 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.