Comments on: The Harawira junket, and Sean Plunket

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:54:19 +0000

You raise some interesting points about Plunket and RNZ (National) or is that national?

Its hard not to imagine he isn’t showing bias until out of left, or should that be right field he suddenly gives one of the government ministers a going over.

It appears that the MSM is still in love with the government and show no signs of any objective critique yet. There are many things that an investigative journalist could get their teeth into but they appear too lazy and more keen to chase up the court news like a ‘Truth’ reporter of old or just write tabloid pieces as appear in ‘The Press’ every day than ask hard questions as to how this nation is going to survive in the world. (A bit like making milk powder rather than getting maximal value from highly polluting dairy farms)

It is disappointing to hear RNZ drag on the old has beens like R Prebble, R Griffen and R Kerr to “educate us” than have real debate.

ps Is P Verschaffelt the same PV who was convicted of making P??

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:59:55 +0000

“…right wing political and business editors such as Richard Griffin and Peter Verschaffelt hardly supports any notion of a left wing conspiracy or brand by the programme. In fact, there has never been a left wing equivalent voice on Morning Report to those two long –serving worthies.”

Al Morrison. (Don’t get me wrong, I thought he was great. Probably in part because he was a good fit with my various lefty political prejudices – but he was definitely reporting from a certain viewpoint).

Overall I tend to think that Morning Report is pretty good in terms of lack of political bias. Which, as you point out, is their strongest defence against political interference. Particularly from a cabinet which includes a canny media owner, as well as political hacks like Ryall.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:55:13 +0000

RNZ is almost as good as the BBC in its ambition to reflect the nation at its most intelligent (well, in the morning, at least). Sean Plunket usually does well to act the Paxman/Humphries tough “man of the people” interviewer, but does show terrible bias at times, cutting off so many of his interviewees as though he knows they are going to obfuscate and evade before they do. He could be better infomred before deriding his victims, who are often just not quite as fast in the mouth as he is. If he had been allowed a column to express his personal opinions, it would cut off at the knees his credibility on RNZ – how could he think it would not?
And, would someone tell him interrupting the start of the sports slot by his knowing quasi questions is bloody annoying ( and sometimes it appears bloody annoying to the sports jock too)?

Perhaps he is more like Rodney than he would care to consider… too long in the job, sense of entitlement, growing ego and lack of perspective?

By: Winter

Winter — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:49:55 +0000

With regards to RNZ and the official policy of being objective unbiased I have to say that our state broadcaster is rather biased. One only has to look at the fact that there is a lengthy business report, broadcast twice daily during the week, but no labour report.
Another good example is “The Panel”.
Most of the guests are centre right, some of them very right wing others like Garth George patently insane. Where are people like Jane Kelsey or for example?
One can listen to an extensive interview with Roger Kerr on Sunday Morning.
When was the last time Noam Chomsky, Robert Fisk, Michael Parenti, Chris Hedges, Greg Palast, John Ralston Saul
to name a few were heard on RNZ?
Amy Goodman anyone?
Sadly RNZ is the best station that can be received nationwide and I value the service it provides, but it could do much better by providing a broader spectrum of views, opinions and information.
In Wellington I find myself tuning into local alternative stations on 107.5, 106.9 and 107.3.
Chaotic as these micro broadcasters are, they nevertheless give me information that RNZ can’t and probably don’t want to air.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:50:44 +0000

Gordon, thanks for your piece on RNZ-Plunket.

I think the different treatment for reporters/editors at RNZ and TVNZ is not so strange really. TVNZ sold its soul long ago (or had it sold), whereas RNZ strives to retain the older public broadcasting values of integrity, trustworthiness and objectivity. These are absolutely worth protecting.

If Plunket wants to be more of a “celebrity”, it seems there are plenty of younger reporters at RNZ who could fill his shoes. And then he could add his ten cents to the current deluge of opinionated babble from columnists, spokespeople and bloggers (present company excepted).

By: lamond

lamond — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15:43 +0000

Please also publish the fact that MPs also receive an additional TAX FREE (non justifiable against receipts – no questions asked) daily allowance of about $50.00. It’s very difficult to find anyone in Wellington who will actually reveal the exact amount of this allowance since, although this should be a matter of public record, they obviously do not want the jerks, who actually pay for it, to know.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:06:43 +0000

Not so much is being made of David Carter’s wife accompanying him on trips.
Why?

By: Margaret Swift

Margaret Swift — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:48:31 +0000

I always thought Rodney Hide was there to be the face of the changes National wanted.

Yes Rodney is right he has done it all, and he will suffer the conseqences.

Rodney is receiving all the public anger leaving John Key and the back room boys squeeky clean.