NZ Herald and Johns - Shame on You

We believe that the press should be independent of government, and thus are appalled that the NZ Herald has given the Prime Minister (PM) the opportunity to veto the publishing of any article that will give NZ a fuller understanding of our leaders. We, as citizens of New Zealand, have the right to know what reporters have learnt about government policies and actions. The NZ Herald has allowed the PM to stymy the publication of articles that we believe goes against the grain of the responsibilities of an independent news source. We are infuriated and cannot help but wonder “Who else is editing our press and what have they removed?”

As a precedent we note the conversations that took place between Presidents Obama and Sarkozy during the Cannes Summit, the meeting of G20 heads of state in which the aforementioned Presidents privately discussed their personal sentiments regarding the Israeli PM Netanyahu unaware that their comments were being transmitted to the reporters. Herein lies our discontent with the Herald, the French media chose not to publish an account of the comments of their own accord without any consultation of either governments. This is not the case in NZ; here the media panders to our leaders and shows no independent authority regarding what they should or should not publish. We are not suggesting that the content of the discussion is not news worthy, we strongly encourage Herald editors to make up their own minds and and decide without the input from someone who may or may not benefit from the publication or withholding of this article.

On the other hand, we have the Johns – Key and Banks. We wonder how it is possible in a free country for a person to become PM and Mayor of Auckland, and therefore charged with interpreting, implementing, understanding, and creating laws, to decide to quash freedom of the press and usurp powers not their own. Has your morality been so far removed by our generous appointments of you to government that you cannot sense when a conflict of interest arises?

It is of no surprise to us that both of you have benefited from the financial crises to the tune of millions of dollars. Key's colleagues dubbed him the “smiling assassin” which comes as no surprise to the people of NZ. Here, you are cutting benefits to the poor and needy with that same grin they saw on your face. How can you sleep at night? Banks left the public arena and went immediately to Huljich Wealth Management, a company that had criminal charges laid against it by the Securities Commision in November 2010. What else could we expect from these sorts of people?

We believe the Herald must consider its journalistic practices carefully in the future and recognise that it is responsible only to the truth and not to any politician. In terms of the Johns, we are certain you will find a way to keep your names in the public arena whether or not you are elected in two weeks. In the meantime, if you choose to go out for a private chat and cuppa, refrain from inviting the media unless, you are certain that you want it shared with your constituents.

ENDS

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