Two contributors to the Weekend Herald I regularly read are Bruce Cotterill and Claire Trevett. Bruce writes from a business background, while Claire, as a political journalist, tends to write with a certain flair that I frequently find myself at odds with. Bruce, being analytical, usually hits the nail on the head concerning his subject matter. Claire, on the other hand, tends to be somewhat subjective, given her political beliefs but I wouldn’t go so far as to insult her by comparing her to the moderators of last week’s presidential debate. Compared to them Claire could be considered ‘far right’.
In their most recent articles, Bruce was writing about TVNZ while Claire found David Seymour continually grabbing the headlines rather annoying. Bruce was highlighting the fact that TVNZ’s management, with reference to the financial hole they find themselves in, were canvassing staff for ideas. This left me dumbfounded: if their political reporting is a yardstick, then this could be regarded as a retrograde step. A better idea might be to canvass the viewers, who are not only their customers but also their shareholders.
Maybe they should find out who their demographic is and start serving up programmes that appeal. And that is not a diet of endless evenings of countless offerings of reality television. The demographic most likely to watch linear television are the older members of society who want decent news and current affairs on a daily basis. They also tuned into programming that TVNZ in their misguided wisdom decided to dispense with, e.g., Sunday and Fair Go.
They could employ some unbiased journalists who are capable of giving viewers objective information rather than inserting their own opinions. I exempt Katie Bradford on that score. Further, drop the Māori tokenism: it’s nothing more than a turnoff. There are two other channels, of which we are also shareholders, which are dedicated to the language. That is where it belongs.
More current affairs are needed, not the one hour, largely PC-offering Jack Tame fronts up with on a Sunday morning. We are lacking good investigative journalism discussing relevant issues. A lot of the domestic news they front up with more suitably belongs on a programme like the old Town and Around. The news hour should consist of hard-hitting stories reflecting major events from both home and abroad.
The fact TVNZ management are asking staff for ideas goes a long way to explaining why they are in their current position. If the management has no idea how to turn it around then the business is likely doomed. The government should realise it’s not up to the taxpayers to support a failing commercial enterprise. The minister, in my correspondence with him, seems reluctant to interfere. As the owner, I am somewhat bemused by his stance. As a member of a government intent on cutting waste I suggest TVNZ needs some urgent attention.
Now to Claire Trevett and David Seymour getting under her skin: as a political journalist she should know that is the ploy of the consummate politician. David is not alone. Donald Trump and Nigel Farage spring to mind. These are the types of political operatives who invoke strong feelings. Most people have a love/hate relationship with them. As for taking the wind out of Christopher Luxon’s sails, that is something for Christopher to address.
These politicians don’t rely on biased journalists to create headlines (mostly negative): they create the headlines themselves. That might be irritating to the likes of Claire but it is a fact of political life. Take the Treaty Principles Bill: that is a definite headline grabber. It keeps Seymour and ACT in the news, which is exactly what he wants. I think one of Luxon’s failings is his tendency to avoid certain issues for fear of alienating voters. If he were to change his tack he might find himself even more popular.
Like them or not, we need more politicans in the David Seymour/Shane Jones mould. Even if you don’t like them, you are in no doubt as to where they stand on a given topic. There is too much wishy-washy rhetoric and political correctness coming from politicians, particularly those on the left. Unfortunately it can also inhabit the right. Politics is a rough and tumble, and at times nasty, game. It requires firm leadership. Governments are elected to govern and those on the right expect them, in Luxon’s words, “to get things done”.
