Media Statement
11th April 2005

Statement By Brian Evans, CEO, Fairfax New Zealand

We are fully reviewing the unclassified portions of the Inspector General's report made available today.

The subject matter of The Sunday Star-Times' investigation held significant implications for the citizens of this country. It is the duty of The Sunday Star-Times, and all of our newspapers, to investigate and report on topics of this nature. This is a fundamental responsibility we hold as newspaper publishers in a democratic society.

Recognising the complexity of the issues involved in the SST's report, and the questions that have been raised, Fairfax NZ has over the past several weeks been fully examining the editorial processes and procedures involved in publishing the stories.

The Inspector General's report will assist our efforts.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell:
On What John Banks And Nick Smith Have In Common

The defence that John Banks has been offering to the charges of electoral fraud – that he didn’t read the document he signed, and therefore lacked the necessary criminal intent – is a fairly standard example of political business as usual.

At a time when political power is being centralised downtown in the Executive, responsibility is being re-located to the suburbs. The Beehive seeks to operate as a blame free, shame free environment. At all times, plausible deniability is to be maintained.

Being able to put distance between the Minister and the actions/outcomes/political fallout of policy is not simply the last desperate resort of scoundrels, but the first resort of the foot soldiers in ministerial service... More>>