General
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Saturday, May 7th, 2011Anyone reading today’s front-page story on the Morse flag-burning decision has every right to be confused. The paper correctly reports that the Supreme Court has found that it’s necessary to prove that offensive behaviour must give rise to a “disturbance of public order” before a conviction can be entered. But the paper reports that a […]
Journalists I like
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011I’m conscious of the fact that I often bag on journalists and media organisations. So I’ve decided to throw out the occasional bouquet too, in the interests of balance. First up: take a bow Margo White. Her recent Listener story on the Maungatautari Ecological Island reminded me what a terrific journalist she is: thorough, smart, […]
Is the BSA becoming more conservative?
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011Broadcasters claim that our new crop of BSA members are more conservative than the last lot. They point to the decisions upholding good taste and decency complaints against Hung, Home and Away and the documentary about Aramoana. Are they right? In short: I don’t really think so. I had a quick squizz through the last […]
Media suppressing judge’s name?!
Thursday, April 28th, 2011An old mate of mine, former Fair Go editor Chris Mitson, wonders why the media aren’t naming the judge who gave Malcolm Chaston bail. After all, Chaston had 71 previous convictions and during his previous stretch in prison, a prison guard had warned of his ambitions to become a serial killer. Police reportedly opposed bail. Chaston […]
Book Review: Media Law in New Zealand
Thursday, April 28th, 2011Media Law in New Zealand John Burrows and Ursula Cheer LexisNexis New Zealand, 6ed, 2010 Reading the latest edition of this terrific text, it’s hard not to be struck by the breathtaking rate of change of New Zealand’s media law. The five years since the last edition have seen the Fairfax contempt prosecution and a […]
You win some, you lose some
Thursday, April 21st, 2011TVNZ has won its High Court appeal over the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s decision to find that a scene in Hung breached the good taste and decency standard. TV3 lost its appeal over the BSA’s breach finding in relation to Home & Away. Analysis soon.
PLEASE RETURN SOONEST
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011RNZ is reporting that John Key used an Air Force helicopter to attend social events. It says John Key can’t respond because he’s overseas. If only someone could create a magical device that would allow us to talk across long distances…
CERA sweepstake
Friday, April 15th, 2011How long before the first amendments are needed to the new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act?
Que CERA, CERA?
Thursday, April 7th, 2011A scenario: a staff-member at the new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority leaks some information to the media. Maybe it’s about waste or inefficiency in the recovery effort. Maybe it’s about a raging personality conflict hampering operations. Maybe it’s about a contractor on the take. The minister and the chief executive are furious about the leak. […]
A rod for their own backs
Thursday, April 7th, 2011In the past week or so, both Fran O’Sullivan and Brian Rudman have assailed the courts for removing the Urewera 18’s right to a jury trial. Both are troubled that the reasoning behind the decisions (from the High Court, and then the Court of Appeal) is suppressed. Both say it’s difficult to see how the […]
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