tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post832218608147849732..comments2024-03-29T00:44:42.046+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: The Political Economy Of Mainstream Political Journalism.Chris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-72044003020802674272018-03-26T11:03:09.466+13:002018-03-26T11:03:09.466+13:00Many many many years ago, when I was still at scho...Many many many years ago, when I was still at school, I got to spend an afternoon with the senior political reporter for The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. As I say, it was a long time ago but, as far as I can remember, here’s one of the things that he said that afternoon.<br /><br />‘It is not our place to tell our readers what to think. Our job is to tell a story, laying out the known facts and the relevant opinions – being clear about which is which. It is then up to our readers to reach their own conclusions.’<br /><br />It seems to me that most modern day political journalists believe that their job is to tell readers what to think. Today’s typical political story is light on fact and heavy on opinions that support the journo’s own conclusion.<br /><br />They also generally lack style.Jack Scrivanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-81504233815510512512018-03-25T23:47:41.284+13:002018-03-25T23:47:41.284+13:00So there is a problem in politics. Very few of us...So there is a problem in politics. Very few of us trust the politicians. And it seems that the fourth estate is not the solution to the problem because few of us trust journalists. The very phrase "fourth estate" implies an institution which is an elemental component of the political regime, which indeed it is. Journalism, then, is an integral part of the bigger problem. <br />Personally, I believe that there are a number of honest and competent journalists (for example Jon Stephenson, Phil Pennington and our host Chris Trotter) but despite all their virtues I don't think that they can save representative democracy from its rush to destruction. A few good politicians in Parliament or a few good journalists working in the mass media are not going to fix things. The problem is systemic and structural and if we are to have a positive impact we will need to find systemic and structural solutions. I agree with Chris that cynicism is not particularly helpful. In fact political cynicism only paves the way for fascism in the guise of the populist anti-politician or the mass media demagogue. Geoff Fischerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509885628971898371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-60541446478091699022018-03-25T08:53:56.228+13:002018-03-25T08:53:56.228+13:00David. I once door knocked for Mike Moore in an ex...David. I once door knocked for Mike Moore in an excess of student enthusiasm. But that's as far as it went. I suspect there is a certain amount of truth in what you say though, because it seems to me that people who climb the ladder are those that seem to be able to cope with endless meetings. :) But Hunt at least talked to us class members about the selection process and what was going on. (Though his pets – commonly known as "Hunt men" probably got more of the real skinny.) And it seemed to me at the time that he did want to do good. And let's face it, he basically got the nomination because he was a compromise candidate between two extremes I think. He simply slipped through the middle as it were. But Moore seemed idealistic at the time as well. And look how he turned out. I think they turn up all bright eyed and shiny shoed and are promptly put in their place by the old cynics who simply use them as "vote fodder". And after a few years of this, they see that the only way to get anything done this to climb the ladder by being as shitty as the rest of them. But by the time they get there, I'm not sure that they remember what they wanted to accomplish in the first place.<br />It would be nice to talk to some of them and confirm or deny all this I must confess. :)<br />Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-38042122075959810132018-03-24T12:30:09.774+13:002018-03-24T12:30:09.774+13:00G S
Have you ever got involved in a political p...G S<br /> Have you ever got involved in a political party? I've never sought office or candidacy in one , but it becomes evident that except for the occasional selection of someone who already has a high profile outside politics like Jeanette Fitzsimons ,Selectio requires compromise of ideals from the beginning. By the time a politician is formed anyone dedicated to principle has long since been eliminated.<br />D J SDavid Stonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-11337218324871196072018-03-23T15:51:41.103+13:002018-03-23T15:51:41.103+13:00The quality of journalism in New Zealand is stagge...The quality of journalism in New Zealand is staggering low. Brain-dead to be exact.<br /><br />A newspaper editor of a major national paper told me to my face that a university degree was an 'over-qualification' for journalism in NZ.<br /><br />And the poor quality of journalism writing - newspapers, TV, & radio - proves that.<br /><br /> Fullstopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-31071247582059003722018-03-23T13:39:41.653+13:002018-03-23T13:39:41.653+13:00Some people are so tied up in exploiting the perso...Some people are so tied up in exploiting the personalities and foibles of politicians with a loyal and enthusiastic following, that they all don't notice the real problems flowing behind the scenes. While one is hee-hawing at something there is someone stealing our own and our country's heritage and selling it for a hefty commission for themselves. <br /><br />Defending the good politicians we have, and hoping that they are both practical and brave, and know when to keep schtum and when to joke, all the time keeping faith with the populace; that is what we have to do I think. We must support those who are really keen to have a good well-run country that encourages all to use their skills for the joint advantage of themselves and the country. If we are busy with something worthwhile for us and others, it will show up in a very positive, hopeful environment and I am all for that, different from that of the present.<br /><br />Having some discretion based on your own and others experience and keeping eyes wide open on the achievable vision is the idea and will help us cut clear-eyed through this often malicious writing of journalists putting forward their very ordinary thoughts strung into sentences.<br /><br />Anthem for the future for realists looking in the world and through the media for reliable discussion and hard, factual news! From 'The Gambler' on how to increase your chance of winning more than losing.<br /><br />You got to know when to hold 'em,<br />Know when to fold 'em,<br />Know when to walk away,<br />And know when to run.<br /><br />Every gambler knows<br />That the secret to survivin'<br />Is knowin' what to throw away<br />And knowin' what to keep.<br />'Cause every hand's a winner,<br />And every hand's a loser,<br />And the best that you can hope for<br />Is to die in your sleep."<br />Writer: Don Schlitz<br />https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kennyrogers/thegambler.htmlgreywarblernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-51975595156082904662018-03-23T11:44:39.238+13:002018-03-23T11:44:39.238+13:00As far as politicians go, I'm quite willing to...As far as politicians go, I'm quite willing to accept that they start off wanting to be a force for good – however they might define it. But I think they end up as cynical power grabbers – maybe inevitably. Although obviously some start out like that. I'm not quite sure what turns them cynical, but I suspect it's a look at what actually goes on in parliament and behind the scenes – which seems to almost preclude being a force for good. I once knew Jonathan Hunt. Not well – he was my history teacher for two years and my social studies and Latin teacher for even more, and he did have his favourites of whom I was not one – surprise surprise. But I really believe he started out wanting to be a force for good. And he really only got into Parliament through a bit of a fluke. But he ended up the Minister of wine and cheese, with a sense of entitlement as big as a barn. I'd love to know what happened to him between entering and leaving Parliament. I suspect he wasn't a good minister. He was extremely well organised as I remember but tended to sweat the small stuff. I thought he made an excellent speaker which playrd to his strengths of a good memory and all those years of controlling 4 Engineering ii.<br />But journalism today is certainly not what it was. There is some decent longform journalism, but it's buried under a amount of massive click bait bullshit and stories about the Kardashian's – which of course is click bait bullshit. And one of the problems is that you have to actually look for it, which doesn't go down well with a culture that is used to finding things with one click. Although I must say in my late night/early morning conversations with the boy when I'm driving him home from his shit job he seems to be remarkably well-informed – certainly better than I expected. So maybe there is hope.Guerilla Surgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427876447124021423noreply@blogger.com