With so much media reporting at odds with public sentiment or clearly one-sided - be it in New Zealand or as we have seen recently in the United States - the direction of travel is not positive.
Agree Simon. It’s not even what the protest is about, it’s the bias, lack of objectivity and blatant disregard for any other public view but their own.
Never watch any mainstream tv anymore nor read much on our news in NZ as it’s always slanted. Thank God for you guys and the similar platforms .
Precisely. There are various views on all these events but most in mainstream media push a single narrative. And as we saw in the USA, this singular view was rejected.
Democracy itself is under threat when people including the MSM, politicians can lie with impunity! Mis-reporting the news or NOT reporting it, is a form of censorship & misdirection!
The Minister of Media & Communications (what was wrong with Broadcasting) should have the power to have the media censured, fined, charged, when they indulge in 'yellow journalism', & are pushing a certain narrative which has nothing to do with 'reporting the actual news', but instead making up the news & being an 'ideological tool'!
There is plenty of room for op-eds, letters to the editor currently, without bias or censorship!
Democracy itself must be 'transparent & accountable', otherwise it is NOT Democracy, that is 'totalitarianism', where you have a group of people doing whatever they want, & being protected in the process! This includes all 'branches of government'!
The taxpayer is paying for this farce & 'betrayal'!
MMP needs to be more representative, requiring only .83% of the vote in order to acquire one seat! That would give greater confidence to people to vote for the smaller parties, being a true representation of what the electorate wants!
In the meantime, we are practising 'voter suppression'!
Remember, elections are supposed to be 'free & fair!
A very relevant reflection on partisan bias in the legacy media. As you're a former politician with experience navigating the public/private sphere, I'm curious what you think about the idea of authenticity in politics that I've been seeing in other Substack articles about the US election and media bias across the western world?
The coverage from The Free Press, Racket News, Public, etc... has dubbed the 2024 US election the 'podcast election' and focused on how voters have become better at seeing through soundbites. These outlets have placed their emphasis on how Kamala Harris and her campaign team made unreasonable demands when negotiating to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience that led to him backing out, whereas Donald Trump showed up for a regular episode of the show.
The vibe from independent journalists is that just as JFK beat Nixon because he was a 'TV president', Donald Trump's authentic bluster trumped the scripted sincerity of Kamala Harris in the new media age. I know that politics, especially party politics, makes it difficult for a politician to express their authentic self to the public but do you think we will see a shift towards this in NZ?
In particular, I've noticed that ACT, NZ First, and TPM have been experimenting with more relatable social media content, but are the politicians in our current system adept enough to navigate the Kantian divide between public and private use of reason in the new media age? With soundbites and packaged presentations it is easy to get by, but I suspect they will be increasingly found out if they don't have the mental discipline to hold these concepts in mind for an extended period of time.
I think the observations you make are correct. We certainly saw in the US, much deeper coverage - the Trump Rogan interview being a good example. Not only was it well listened to, but the wider public simply knew Trump was prepared to chat for 3+ hours (even if they didn't listen). This said, we also know that many people (mostly younger) are getting their news from just headlines on the likes of TikTok. That is, not reading any more deeply than whatever headline is chosen and as we know, often such headlines are overdramatic or even misleading.
I hope we do see a shift in New Zealand and I think there are some encouraging signs although currently, it is still highly curated and managed.
Irrelevance has already arrived, failure is not too far off. If the Government had any courage the taxpayer tit would be removed from the corrupt MSM. I recently signed up to a cheap Herald hook for 3 months, then full cost for access. After their ‘coverage’ of the Hikoi of the Hopeless I’ve already cancelled my subscription.
Every time that there are instances of such egregious bias in the MSM I think it's a cause for celebration because they're nailing themselves into a coffin - a one-way ticket to eternity. Soon they'll have lost so much credibility, lost their following and we'll be rid of them!
I don't know why you want to blame the supreme Court for the perception of 'pakeha law.'
Maori have since forever had an arm's length perception of 'the White Man's Law' - not because they mean to disrespect it per se, but primarily because it's different from the rules and mores that apply back home on the pa. And also because oftentimes the law is pedantic, bureaucratic, punitive and not always administered fairly,
And this definitely pre-dates any of the recent judicial activism,
Perhaps it grew out of the post-WWII drift to the cities,
I think when it comes to NZ as a whole - we have 'the law' rather than laws. There are certainly different approaches to law, customs, tikanga and so forth. As you note, we also have different laws in different circumstances e.g. on marae, within charities, sports groups, in the church and so forth But I think we move into dangerous territory when we take the law of the land and start suggesting it might be optional for some groups based on whose law it supposedly is.
Thanks Simon a brilliant analysis. MSM are leading the useful idiots in this country down a very dark path. The US elections have shown us the pendulum can only swing so far before the people recognise the folly in large enough numbers before a political upheaval becomes inevitable.
As regards the treaty principals bill, Luxon is attempting to remain popular by not supporting this vitally important debate. Hipkins is well out of step with it as well by seeming to support the maori party. Both of them have yet to understand the lessons to be learned from the American elections.
Unfortunately it's been left only to Seymour who has a better vision for race relations in New Zealand. This debate is something we must have, because handing the keys to the country to maori will provide the worst possible outcome - a nation divided against itself.
Wasn't passing comment on the first, although the polls are consistent that the majority of New Zealanders hold different views than those on the hikoi. I think MSM in general is certainly out of step, as it was manifestly shown in the US election (which I suppose my key point).
The protesters are targetting the wrong people they should be targetting iwi who have been paid billions of taxpayers money to help upgrade the maori people. Where did all this money go to ?
Not the people who it was claimed for so why ? All maori should be living in comfortable homes with this amount of money, they should not be disadvantaged by iwi who do noy disrebute this wealth to their people, Tommy G.
MSM are so taken over by ideologies that they would prefer to end themselves rather than share both sides. Young people don’t follow it and the older audience continues to decrease. The US election was the final chance and they blew it. Give them less than 5 years..
Another example of politicised policing is the arrest of one Covid protester (Lizz Gunn)for gently touching the shoulder of a reporter, vs a Hikoi leader actually grabbing a NZ flag, wrestling with the carrier, then breaking the pole and stealing the flag, in full view of a camera. No arrest yet, we are waiting.......
Thank you once again Simon for highlighting so succinctly what is taking place with NZ's Media, and the parallels with the US. There is definately a connection between the two, and no doubt some collaboration in promoting the same agenda. Ironically to borrow the parlance the media are fond of accusing others of, they are promoting misinformation around Seymours bill, portraying it as something it is not, while actively siding with those that prefer to deflect away from debating this important issue, and instead fixating on how "divisive" it is. As you say people see through these tactics, of trying to persuade public opinion through biased, moralistic manipulation. They want honest, unbiased, objective reporting so they can make up their own minds, which fortunately alternative media now provides.
Not just the media but police for encouraging this march ,I don't support destiny but he wants one new Zealand which is a refreshing Outlook
Yes, that was a very bad look.
Agree Simon. It’s not even what the protest is about, it’s the bias, lack of objectivity and blatant disregard for any other public view but their own.
Never watch any mainstream tv anymore nor read much on our news in NZ as it’s always slanted. Thank God for you guys and the similar platforms .
Precisely. There are various views on all these events but most in mainstream media push a single narrative. And as we saw in the USA, this singular view was rejected.
Democracy itself is under threat when people including the MSM, politicians can lie with impunity! Mis-reporting the news or NOT reporting it, is a form of censorship & misdirection!
The Minister of Media & Communications (what was wrong with Broadcasting) should have the power to have the media censured, fined, charged, when they indulge in 'yellow journalism', & are pushing a certain narrative which has nothing to do with 'reporting the actual news', but instead making up the news & being an 'ideological tool'!
There is plenty of room for op-eds, letters to the editor currently, without bias or censorship!
Democracy itself must be 'transparent & accountable', otherwise it is NOT Democracy, that is 'totalitarianism', where you have a group of people doing whatever they want, & being protected in the process! This includes all 'branches of government'!
The taxpayer is paying for this farce & 'betrayal'!
MMP needs to be more representative, requiring only .83% of the vote in order to acquire one seat! That would give greater confidence to people to vote for the smaller parties, being a true representation of what the electorate wants!
In the meantime, we are practising 'voter suppression'!
Remember, elections are supposed to be 'free & fair!
They aren't!
A very relevant reflection on partisan bias in the legacy media. As you're a former politician with experience navigating the public/private sphere, I'm curious what you think about the idea of authenticity in politics that I've been seeing in other Substack articles about the US election and media bias across the western world?
The coverage from The Free Press, Racket News, Public, etc... has dubbed the 2024 US election the 'podcast election' and focused on how voters have become better at seeing through soundbites. These outlets have placed their emphasis on how Kamala Harris and her campaign team made unreasonable demands when negotiating to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience that led to him backing out, whereas Donald Trump showed up for a regular episode of the show.
The vibe from independent journalists is that just as JFK beat Nixon because he was a 'TV president', Donald Trump's authentic bluster trumped the scripted sincerity of Kamala Harris in the new media age. I know that politics, especially party politics, makes it difficult for a politician to express their authentic self to the public but do you think we will see a shift towards this in NZ?
In particular, I've noticed that ACT, NZ First, and TPM have been experimenting with more relatable social media content, but are the politicians in our current system adept enough to navigate the Kantian divide between public and private use of reason in the new media age? With soundbites and packaged presentations it is easy to get by, but I suspect they will be increasingly found out if they don't have the mental discipline to hold these concepts in mind for an extended period of time.
I think the observations you make are correct. We certainly saw in the US, much deeper coverage - the Trump Rogan interview being a good example. Not only was it well listened to, but the wider public simply knew Trump was prepared to chat for 3+ hours (even if they didn't listen). This said, we also know that many people (mostly younger) are getting their news from just headlines on the likes of TikTok. That is, not reading any more deeply than whatever headline is chosen and as we know, often such headlines are overdramatic or even misleading.
I hope we do see a shift in New Zealand and I think there are some encouraging signs although currently, it is still highly curated and managed.
Irrelevance has already arrived, failure is not too far off. If the Government had any courage the taxpayer tit would be removed from the corrupt MSM. I recently signed up to a cheap Herald hook for 3 months, then full cost for access. After their ‘coverage’ of the Hikoi of the Hopeless I’ve already cancelled my subscription.
What was I thinking??
Every time that there are instances of such egregious bias in the MSM I think it's a cause for celebration because they're nailing themselves into a coffin - a one-way ticket to eternity. Soon they'll have lost so much credibility, lost their following and we'll be rid of them!
Police officers in particular should been seen to be impartial but also to act impartially too.
Not a good look to see some of them actively supporting political events such as hiikois.
Totally; the wrong call and good to see the Minister come out stressing that impartiality is needed.
Ooooh more stressing, are these Police in uniform swinging the Maori independence flag?
Aren’t they supposed to be neutral in public? But then again I remember their dereliction when it came to Posy Parker?
What’s the point of clutching your pearls and suffering more stress when the solution is at hand?
I don't know why you want to blame the supreme Court for the perception of 'pakeha law.'
Maori have since forever had an arm's length perception of 'the White Man's Law' - not because they mean to disrespect it per se, but primarily because it's different from the rules and mores that apply back home on the pa. And also because oftentimes the law is pedantic, bureaucratic, punitive and not always administered fairly,
And this definitely pre-dates any of the recent judicial activism,
Perhaps it grew out of the post-WWII drift to the cities,
I think when it comes to NZ as a whole - we have 'the law' rather than laws. There are certainly different approaches to law, customs, tikanga and so forth. As you note, we also have different laws in different circumstances e.g. on marae, within charities, sports groups, in the church and so forth But I think we move into dangerous territory when we take the law of the land and start suggesting it might be optional for some groups based on whose law it supposedly is.
Thanks Simon a brilliant analysis. MSM are leading the useful idiots in this country down a very dark path. The US elections have shown us the pendulum can only swing so far before the people recognise the folly in large enough numbers before a political upheaval becomes inevitable.
As regards the treaty principals bill, Luxon is attempting to remain popular by not supporting this vitally important debate. Hipkins is well out of step with it as well by seeming to support the maori party. Both of them have yet to understand the lessons to be learned from the American elections.
Unfortunately it's been left only to Seymour who has a better vision for race relations in New Zealand. This debate is something we must have, because handing the keys to the country to maori will provide the worst possible outcome - a nation divided against itself.
Another very helpful piece Simon. Careful, you might be on the way to becoming a Kiwi Treasure.
Thanks for the first part ... not sure about the second :)
Not sure if you are saying the Hikoi was out of step with public opinion or the msm generally?
Wasn't passing comment on the first, although the polls are consistent that the majority of New Zealanders hold different views than those on the hikoi. I think MSM in general is certainly out of step, as it was manifestly shown in the US election (which I suppose my key point).
The protesters are targetting the wrong people they should be targetting iwi who have been paid billions of taxpayers money to help upgrade the maori people. Where did all this money go to ?
Not the people who it was claimed for so why ? All maori should be living in comfortable homes with this amount of money, they should not be disadvantaged by iwi who do noy disrebute this wealth to their people, Tommy G.
MSM are so taken over by ideologies that they would prefer to end themselves rather than share both sides. Young people don’t follow it and the older audience continues to decrease. The US election was the final chance and they blew it. Give them less than 5 years..
I think we will see much greater and faster decline. I see here at home, North & South magazine has now suspended printing. Maybe it will start again.
Another example of politicised policing is the arrest of one Covid protester (Lizz Gunn)for gently touching the shoulder of a reporter, vs a Hikoi leader actually grabbing a NZ flag, wrestling with the carrier, then breaking the pole and stealing the flag, in full view of a camera. No arrest yet, we are waiting.......
Thanks for your excellent thoughts Simon - all power to you Sir.
Thanks Nick!
Thank you once again Simon for highlighting so succinctly what is taking place with NZ's Media, and the parallels with the US. There is definately a connection between the two, and no doubt some collaboration in promoting the same agenda. Ironically to borrow the parlance the media are fond of accusing others of, they are promoting misinformation around Seymours bill, portraying it as something it is not, while actively siding with those that prefer to deflect away from debating this important issue, and instead fixating on how "divisive" it is. As you say people see through these tactics, of trying to persuade public opinion through biased, moralistic manipulation. They want honest, unbiased, objective reporting so they can make up their own minds, which fortunately alternative media now provides.
Is why, as you identify, people are turning to alternatives including the like of X.