Scoop Feedback 4 Response To Holmes Sacking Survey

Thursday, 2 October 2003, 12:05 am
Opinion: Scoop Feedback

Scoop Feedback 4: Response To Holmes Sacking Survey

Scoop has received a total of 131 emails to the Scoop Survey: Should Holmes Be Sacked? (click here for links to audio, transcripts and commentary) . Here is the latest instalment.

We thank the Scoop audience for again responding so unreservedly. The Scoop editors.

holmes

its just way too american to have wankers on television, if only paul could sing, let him go. i don't feel he represents me, i dont need any broadcaster to rep. me, but i'm sure a lot of people do, maybe even you guys, no crit intended, keep up the good work

leapfrog

holmes

The little man's reign is over. I am sick of the 'celebrity' status radio and tv announcers enjoy - and he is top of the heap.

joe naden

Holmes

My own personal opinion is that Holmes should have been sacked years ago. But that is another story. What is happening now is only viewed on the racist angle. The context is that some people, and media owners are very sensitive about criticsm of the USA. That is the reason nothing has happened to Holmes yet. Any other time his blatently racist comments would have had him sidelined immediately during an investigation. This issue of Iraq and the US plan for many wars over the next two decades is the bigger issue. It must become part of the discussion over Holme's comments.

Richard Keller

paul who

i think it was an arrogant publicity stunt and that, like the un, we should ignore him. eventually he will get bored and go away.

mel

PAUL HOLMES

I neither watch nor listen to this character: I am au fait with the current controversy. His reiterated 'cheeky darkie' was not satirical, was not any kind of ironic humour - it was sheer shitty racism. And his schoolboy slurs, snickered to pickled person Brian Edwards, apropos women journalists, were infantile. SACK THIS LOSER

Keri Islander

PAUL HOLMES

NO PAUL HOLMES SHOULD NOT BE SACKED. ALL THESE SANCTIMONIUS CREATURES MAKE ME SICK.HE HAS APOLOGISED WHICH IS MORE THAN THE P.M.DID LEAVE HIM ALONE TALK ABOUT TALL POPPY SYNDROME

JOAN JOHNSTON

This SCOOP article

I am more than appalled with SCOOP's views on this whole debacle. There is a huge difference between reporting the news and the very biased opinion of an anonymous reporter.

Was there ANY untruth in what Paul said about the inaction of the 'United Nations' ?

So far in this country, there are no supression laws on what a person may or may not say, and the 'Freedom of the Press' is something that even you should value.

Errol Taylor

Holmes

Holmes should resign. If I spoke that way in my workplace I would be fired or face disciplinary action. Saying sorry isn't enough - not even saying sorry seven times!

Sue Murray

Paul Holmes

I could and can, see nothing wrong with his comments. He was spot on. Later in the day on TV1 was an article about a woman who just died in the USA. She was referred to by the news reader AND by herself in a prerecorded (obviously)interview as the first BLACK woman to become a professionaltennis player. Why is it good enough for some and NOT for Paul Holmes.

Regards Errol Taylor

Paul Homes

I do not want to see Paul Homes sacked. Often he irritates the hell out of me, and on the occasion of his 'darkie' remark he obviously lost the boundary between politically acceptable and unacceptable satire. However, it has been blown up out of all proportion; while what he said about the United Nations has a great deal of truth to it. The Secretary General has a very selective memory about stopping wars. They stop only those that suit their agenda and then it is normally only with the power of western nations. The UN has no forces. On the issue of the UN telling countries what to legislate for, we should not accept any of their politically correct draft legislation. We have our own government to do that for us. if they do it badly,that is our problem not the UN's.

Hugh Webb

Sack Holmes, Yes or No.

Naw, don't sack the poor thing. He's an ignorant fascist cheeky whitey scumbag. But I would pull the plug on him and give him a desk job. He's a nasty influence on tender young minds anywhere within listening distance. New Zealand, you have my sympathy.....we have our Rush Limbaugh and Mike Savage here. Mean and nasty types they all are. Cheers, and say hello to XENA (Lucy Lawless).

Jocanda Baldo

holmes

The tall poppy syndrome is alive and well in NZ. Had some media not made such a big thing of Holmes' stupid comments, the matter would not have attracted the international attention it has. Let's face up to the fact that internationally, Holmes is nobody. Why haven't we seen a simlar reaction to some of the equally racist and stupid remarks made by some politicians, and why haven't there been calls for them to be fired? Like to comment about West Coasters being "feral and inbred". As for Mitsubishi, its advertisements may be amongst the more entertaining in the business, but they don't make its vehicles any better than they actually are. And its actions speak more of an opportunist approach to free publicity than a genuine response to Holmes' comments, which were not even made on the programme Mitsubishi sponsored for goodness sake. Get over it New Zealand - move on. I actually wonder whether some of the tall poppy choppers we have seen hard at work in the last few days might have been getting into some poppy derived stimulation, given the almost frenzied nature of their attacks on a man who has admitted he stuffed up, and should like others, be given a telling off (smacking would not be PC now would it?) and left to get on with life.

Graeme Purches

Holmes

His inability to string together a coherent sentence should in itself be enough for him to be disposed of. Hopefully his rude comments will see him fired.

Mark Jackson

Holmes

Holmes slipped and fell when trying to be too clever with his use of rhyming language. He has forthright view on many issues including the role of the UN. In trying to make his point about the UN chiding the US, he went too far. He's an extremely talented journalist, I'm sure he's not racist and he made a mistake which clearly has caused him great anguish. It's time for him and us to move on. He should not resign or be sacked Bruce Thompson

Bruce Thompson

Sack Holmes?

I think New Zealand deserves a lot more from one of it most highly paid and prominent broadcasters. What he did was not satirical, witty or ironic or even sarcastic. It was offensive and lame. This man has been trading on his name like it was some kind of valuable brand we all know and trust so at least we could get some decent interviews and journalism out of him instead of his normal menu of slack sympathetic blathering, weak questioning and parkinson's like repetitioning that leaves the public no more well informed of the current events than they would be if they just listened to the birdsong.

Don't fire him just ignore him and put him on the midnight to 3am shows with the rest of the nutters.

Daniel Watson

Paul holmes sacking

Why should he be sacked? Isn't this a free country? In anger anyone can say rude words, and what should he be punished? What about Helen Clarck's comment on Al Goore being elected President of US, when we know that bush is the President? Isn't this racism. No need to sack anyone, I think that as far as the person understand that he overpassed the limits of human behaviour and apologises, that's good enough. Why make this matter so big, when the person directly touched, Mr. Anan just laughed and laughed at it!?

Astrit BASHA

Holmes must go

Sack him. He has always been a chauvinist bigot - pity it takes comments on a non-NZer for people to see it.

Simon

holmes

leave paul holmes alone I dont give a toss about the term darkie and nether does kofti, his spokesman said on national radio .Find some real issues to moan about.Like estuary pollution od weed infestation.

h burnett

Paul Home's dark and stupid comments

Paul Holmes should be sent home and be seen by a neuro-enterologist for mental constipation and verbal diarrhoea.

Dr. N.G.Patil

Holmes

Why don't people just leave him alone. He said sorry that should be the end of it. I certainly would like to be forgiven if I had offended somebody and said sorry. Stop crucifying him. This country loves destroying people. What a cold and heartless country we live in.

Karen

Paul Holmes

This guy showed us his ignorance at his racism with his pitiful apology on TV. The guy is the highest paid New Zealander, earning way more than even the PM. He cannot be allowed to get away with this ignorant stupidity. Sack Paul Holmes; give him a few years on the UB, and then check again on how ignorant he has become

Phil Death

Cheaky Whitey Paul Homes

Paul Holmes is not fit for the responsibilities that come with a large listnership. He must quit.

maikenevill

Holmes

No, i do not believe he should be sacked. The statement appeared to be reactive and presenting a personal opinion. Hes apologised, been through hell. Why sack him for one controversial statement. Think of the other things he has do in the past for New Zealand.

Carolyn

Paul Holmes

I think Mr Holmes made a mistake and should not be sacked, hopefully he will learn a lesson through this trial he is currently in. He is a good journalist, but he needs to calm down sometimes and not get carried away. I agree with his views on the UN.

PS What does the 'Mason' mean in scoop's URL?

Nigel

Paul Holmes

He's a racist, condescending dinosaur,and should lose his job.

mark

Holmes

Yip

I think he should be fired for it.

Dan Simperingham

Paul Holmes

Not only is Paul Holmes a racist I would say that he is also a mysogynist. I completely stopped watching Holmes years ago after he did an interview with Jenny Morris where he asked some inane question along the lines of, wasn't she too old to be doing the pop star thing? Holmes is a boofhead, pandering to other boofheads.

Cliff Allen

cliff Allen

Holmes is where our nation's heart is

There can be no doubt that Holmes' resignation or employment termination is the principled action.

Any man who claims to speak at odds to what he thinks may make amusing reality tv viewing, but cannot be seriously regarded as an investigative journalist. However, we are well aware that Holmes was speaking about his firmly held views.

Perhaps more revealing are the attempts of his employers to save his bacon. This reveals the true heart of our nation's media - media that either supports his views (but not the blunt articulation of them) or that is concerned with money over priniciple. Either is abhorrent. Both of them are to be expected in a capitalist system that is predicated on racial, gender and social dominance.

Thank you Newstalk ZB, TVNZ, and Holmes. It is a rare opportunity to see the beast in all its raging glory. It is ironic that the beast's master was the first to take a stand against its charge. I guess Holmes was only useful as long as he maintained a clean facade, Mitsubishi?

Graham Cameron

Holmes

Certainly his comments were out of line. But to call for sacking is pathetic.All that does is show how narrow minded, and enamoured of PC bullshit that person must be. Mike King last night parodied this brilliantly. He confessed to having called people darkie, honky, nigger, wog and the rest many times in his career, and never managed to get the attention Paul has done. There is a great many more injustices done every day to all sections of our society, by all sorts of people and Authorities, to be worried about this small example of ill-conceived comment by one person. Grow up and get over it!

Hugh Cronwright

Paul Holmes

No I don't think he should be sacked .. personally I think a mountain has been made out of a molehill .. for goodness sake ... 'cheeky' isn't offensive and think there are far worse words that apply to skin colour ... a mere unintentional 'slip up' is what I would call it and not worth altering his life over ... far more serious things to be concerned about ... the bottom line reads Paul has been a bit of a cheeky whitey rather than a racist ...

Heather Campbell

Paul Holmes

I think Paul Holmes should have been stood down immediately the remarks were made. I have empathy for him at this time, but the words DID come out of HIS mouth. Accountablility. He is in the business (sometimes) of humiliating people, well, what goes around comes around.

Shirley Carter

Paul Holmes

Racist, sexist and a terrible interviewer to boot. He's an embarrassment to the country.

Why TVNZ risks its reputation by keeping him on air is unfathomable.

Kate McKenzie

Paul Holmes

He should be sacked!

Wendy Cooper

Should Paul Holmes be sacked?

Undoubtedly. The man is an embarrasment to a nation - who now looks like some irrelevant medieval outpost populated by bigoted, sexist, primordial slime that should know when to keep it's mouth firmly SHUT.

(Yes I'm a female journalist)

Katie Newton

Paul Holmes

Should he be sacked for these comments? Probably not. Disciplined, demoted, humiliated and made to apologise to New Zealand publicly....absolutely.

As such a lightweight mediocrity, Holmes doesn't deserve to be matyred for his idiocy by being sacked. His sacking would only be an offering on the altar of the PC gods.

Certainly as has been suggested, Holmes should "take his lumps". Anyone in his position who makes such ludicrous statements should have the strength of character to at least offer their resignation.

As a side note, I certainly dont need the Maven of Helengrad advising me that Holmes' "cheeky darkie" sentiment is a foolish and rascist one. I can make up my own mind regarding that without our idealogue P.M. putting her two-cents in.

GW

Retirement Holmes

For as long as i can remember Paul Holmes has been staring out of the tv 7pm every weeknight. His job as an interviewer and current affairs journalism for TVNZ should be to help impart information and enhance viewers understanding of the issues discussed. On many many occasions he has failed to do that, he has interviewed people with an intelligence far more lucid than his own and made the whole exercise farcical with his simplistic and stupid questions. I can`t think of any examples right now, but with his recent outbursts on radio he has shown that his own opinions are so far from the public mean that he is well past his expiry date. I suggest an early retirement and a new career crooning to his only fans, great-grandmothers in rest homes around the country. He might even sell a few more albums.

Hamish Low

insults rained on Annan

it is unfortunated a leading broadcaster would stoop so low to drag Newzealand`s reputation in the mud.What parrell can he draw between americans and cheeky darkies .collin powell is a darkie as well as 10% of americans whose forefathers were shiped from the castles built by the slave marsters in Goldcoast.My point is that ,Cheeky darkies make a seizable amount of americas army and who are dying daily in Iraq.let darkies say their minds too .fire him now, he is uncouth.

steve darteh

Paul Holmes

To be sure we all say things at the drop of a hat. For nearly all of us the message just drifts away into the cosmos never to be recalled again. For Paul Holmes, it has been caught on tape to be replayed at will by all those who delight in spending time finding fault (including Paul!). Sure he would of been less noticeable had he not said what he said, but after all, all that happened was that some words were spoken, some air was disturbed. Should I as a listener let such an insignificant event in the Universe worry me? No. This is my decision. If your decision is different, then that's your problem, not mine, not Pauls. The MOST IMPORTANT issue here is not what Paul said, but what others are saying about our freedom, the very freedom that my father put his life on the line to save when he went to fight in World War II. I would and will take up arms to preserve that freedo As I u nderstand, Hitler committ

Malcolm Spark

No mana

I think PH owes his popularity to the 'baby boomer' generation (60+ age), hence the dated language and 'down home' style you might expect from the local "joker" at the pub. All very old hat and dated. I can't stand his programme and am glad he's shot himself in the foot.

JRE

Paul Holmes

The man needs to be sacked. His apology is shallow and as you correctly observed on your website, he is a sick person hiding behind a bloated ego he parades to the nation day after day.

Arun Jacob

Mr Holmes

At the very least, instead of a self-serving, smirking 'apology', Mr Homes should have had the grace to offer his resignation. Since he hasn't, I for one would happily see him walk for his offensive comments.

PS Paul's comparison with brussel sprouts, while impressively evocative, is a little harsh on brussel sprouts.

Jude

holmes

what is amazing is holmes and his like in australia - john laws and alan jones - can still be deciding the news agenda and creating the mindset that now is the shame of us all in this part of the world...

MITCH WILLIAMS

Holmes is a dick

YES he should get the sack. If I were to say what he said I would have lost my job.

James Trigger-Hay

paul holmes

sack him

paul

paul holmes

sack him

I wouldn't expect any better from this poisoned little dwarf. I would, however, expect more from his employers. If I had such a high public profile I wouldn't last a day in my job after an outburst like that. He must have some heavy duty dirt on someone who is incredibly modest perhaps?

Simon Moen

paul holmes

The over-the-top outcry of the insipid politically correct elite over Paul Holmes comments relating to UN Secretary Kofi Anan is yet another example of zealous left-wing ideological inconsistency. Prime Minister Helen Clark dismisses the saying of Grace (and good dress sense) and tucks into her entree in the presence of the Queen, head of the Church of England; Forign Affairs Minister Phil Goff cuddles up to terrorist icon Yassar Arafat; the entire Labour Government removes New Zealand from bedrock historical alliances with Australia, Britian & the USA, and is soon to unleash a potentially dangerous scientific unknown on its own nation in the form of GM, despite the majority crying "not yet!". Its about time we Kiwis gained a little more discerning perspective on the major issues affecting our country, as opposed to myopically focussing on the trivial & irrelavant. If we really want our wellbeing must not be in the hands of a cowardly multi-national self-interest group such as the United Nations, many of the conventions which we seem to be unwittingly adopting through politically sanctioned "back-door osmosis". Translated? Open your eyes, New Zealand!

Stephen D. Taylor

holmes feedback

This is clearly a case of leaky holmes syndrome

Greg Meylan Journalist

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