Let me preface this opinion piece by saying that I know Matt King of DemocracyNZ.
I have on several occasions met his wife, and his parents. They are all good, honest, reliable, hard-working people. As, of course, is Matt.
Matt King is the hardest working MP and aspiring MP that Northland has ever had. The fact that he lost the 2020 election by 163 votes was heartbreaking. He has given his all to this campaign, and, as a friend, it is difficult to see the media annihilation of him and the party that has steadily taken place.
The hit piece on Stuff on Monday 9 September by Tony Wall is despicable.
On my behalf, as I am unable to use the telephone, being profoundly deaf, Mr KSK spoke to Matt and he sent this to me. (He has approved this opinion piece). Matt wrote,
Today’s Stuff article is a great example of gutter journalism. Here is the original photo that was cropped and shared by one of the now former candidates, to insinuate something that it’s not. This photo was taken in Feb 2023, after a successful meeting. To twist it into something it’s not, is sinister.
Matt continued.
It’s sad that we’ve reached a stage in politics where it gets dirty – it’s not about sharing policy or a contest of robust ideas and solutions that help us progress as a country – it’s become about mud-slinging and slander. It’s wrong, and it’s appalling that the people perpetuating this are members of another political party vying for votes. It’s dirty politics at best, and we won’t stoop to this level.
DemocracyNZ has not imploded. ACT has recently lost the same number of candidates that we did four months ago, and they have not imploded. It happens in politics. DemocracyNZ has plenty of support on the ground, and this hit piece five days before E Day is a desperate move to discredit us. We must be a threat, or they wouldn’t want to try to take us out.
A note worth mentioning here too. If an individual wants to be private, particularly women – it is wrong to breach that right to privacy. Sometimes there are safety reasons, other times there are equally valid reasons. Time changes things and circumstances, and ultimately – in a free and democratic country, an individual’s right to privacy is not unreasonable.
It’s time to start being adults in politics – our country has major issues that need to be fixed, and these high school bullying tactics are pathetic.
Also, info on stuff like our Facebook restrictions our limit to daily spend of $46 and limited reach that occurred simultaneously to all our candidates a couple of weeks ago, our lack of media story on us attaining 2% not being offered as an option in polls etc.
Matt King@democracyNZ.org.
The manipulation of demonstrable reality by a Labour-led, taxpayer-funded gutter press is shameful.
And that the pink person is back again warning us about the dangers of disinformation is yet another log on the fire of political interference and misrepresentation. Has she replaced Jacinda as the one source of truth?
Disinformation is being used by well-funded groups overseas who benefit from creating disharmony around the world.
Our world-leading pandemic response and increasing efforts to honour the treaty have made us a prime target. These groups want to undermine our shared social values by creating fear and distrust, breaking down our faith in democracy.
When that faith breaks down, people are less likely to vote. And the fewer people who vote, the more likely it is that candidates with harmful views and policies get into positions of power. (emphasis added).
Siouxsie Wiles
Really? Have you fact-checked that bold and unlikely claim, Ms Wiles? Can you share the scholarly articles that verify this?
She continues.
So, what can we do?
First, we need to recognise disinformation when we see it and call it out. In this election, political candidates are spreading disinformation about everything from climate change to Maori and transgender people.
Casting your vote against disinformation | The Press
I agree with Ms Wiles that there are groups that want to undermine our shared social values by creating fear and distrust, breaking down our faith in democracy. Just reflect on the Covid response that you claim is world-leading, Ms Wiles. Just look at the way that this entire election process has been skewed by a malicious press. Just look at the way that our democracy is under threat by people who claim a different democracy. Are you still happy to claim disinformation? Yes, you are, of course, but just not from the reality of where it is actually coming from.
The media have long since relinquished any claim to be impartial and to be investigative – bought and paid for, they simply follow their pay packets.
This election has been and continues to be dirty, deliberately dirty. The desperate attempts by Labour, National and Act to sway voters through manipulation and fear are surely against the entire premise and foundation of MMP. A form of proportional voting I didn’t ever agree with, preferring the Single Transferable Vote. Although it sounds like a sexually transmitted disease, STV would very likely have seen a more equitable system in place.
MMP means that the voter has the power to choose, or so it is quaintly thought, but the manipulation by the three main party leaders is reprehensible.
- The threat of a second election by Christopher Luxon
- The so-called refusal of Hipkins, Luxon and Seymour to deal with NZ First is just plain wrong – and they, of course, will pick up the phone once their survival and fancy incomes require them to do so. It is all posturing and playing with voters. Does the Electoral Commission not have something to say about this? Of course not.
That we may yet wallow in a wash of uncertainty after the votes are counted on Saturday is a horrific thought given the last months, but if that is what the voters have decided, then that is what the leaders must work with; it is not their choice.
The media and henchpeople have significantly hindered DemocracyNZ by cutting off opportunities, by misrepresenting the truth and by steadfastly undermining the work of a good man, a strong and committed team, and the values this country desperately needs: democracy, unity and equality for all New Zealanders. Well done, Matt.
