Hearing into Hit & Run book
Monday, November 19th, 2018The government inquiry set up to look at the allegations in Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson’s book “Hit & Run” is holding a public hearing this week. This particular hearing won’t go into the allegations themselves: it’s about the process for running the inquiry. How will it deal with confidential or classified information? (For example, […]
Privacy lecture coming up
Friday, November 17th, 2017Dr Nicole Moreham is giving a public lecture on privacy on November 28. She is the shit. Details below. Can we have some privacy? The last decade has seen an explosion in social media, intrusive technologies and media competition all of which are putting pressure on privacy like never before. In this talk, Victoria University’s […]
BSA and ASA to political parties: “sure, lie all you like”
Thursday, September 21st, 2017When I first saw the National Party’s blatantly misleading “Let’s Tax This” ad, I thought: the Advertising Standards Authority would have to uphold a complaint about this one. And if the ad is broadcast on TV or radio, the Broadcasting Standards Authority will have to as well. Not that I think that complaints against political ads […]
Scandalised by the Law Commission’s recommendation
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017In my last post, I discussed the Law Commission’s report on contempt of court. I generally supported the recommendations. Here’s one I think they got wrong. The Commission proposes replacing what is now called “scandalising the judiciary” with a new, more limited, statutory offence. I think it should be scrapped altogether, as has been done in […]
The Law Commission reports on Contempt of Court
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017A press conference ignored A press conference on the Todd Barclay affair rather gazumped the launch of the Law Commission’s report on contempt of court in June. No-one from the media turned up. That’s a shame, because the Commission is recommending some significant changes. Some notable recommendations In 2014, I commented on the Commission’s discussion paper, […]
Winston Peters sues for defamation
Friday, August 18th, 2017Winston Peters has sued AM Show presenter, former Black Cap opener, and general larrikin Mark Richardson for defamation. The NZ Herald summarises the offending statements: Richardson said Peters was a “political predator” and took advantage of civil unrest to grandstand, attaching himself to an injury like a “political white blood cell”, or pus. Now, I haven’t […]
What to know what’s happening in Charlottesville?
Friday, August 18th, 2017Do yourself a favour and watch this.
Check this out
Wednesday, August 16th, 2017The Spinoff has a terrific tool that lets you see and compare the leading parties’ election policies. You can tick your favourites and then see which way you lean based on your policy choices. It is beautifully done. It almost makes you feel as if we’re living in a democracy where people choose the party […]
Hammering the MC
Friday, August 11th, 2017Mike Hosking for TVNZ election debate moderator? Doesn’t look like many would vote for him, even though he’s the best person for the job according to a very well-placed source. The problem is obvious. He is, in fact, biased. Apparently this doesn’t concern TVNZ, which seems remarkable right there. On the other hand, as Bill […]
A couple of significant defamation appeals
Tuesday, August 8th, 2017In defamation law, there are three basic defences. The first one, aptly called “truth”, protects you if you basically got it right. The second is called “honest opinion”. You can use it where you’ve clearly expressed an opinion, it’s honest, and its based on facts you have set out or which are generally well known. […]
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