Greg King (1969-2012)
Monday, November 5th, 2012There are two New Zealanders whose untimely deaths have left me with a profound sadness, not just for them and their families, but also for the rest of us, because we’ve been deprived of the contribution they would have continued to make. One was Rod Donald. The other is Greg King. Most people know Greg […]
Bouquet
Monday, October 29th, 2012Media Watch’s Colin Peacock did a particularly excellent job this week in holding the media’s feet to the fire about its reporting on the firestorm about bail laws.
Breaking Laws
Thursday, October 18th, 2012Michael Laws has been found in breach of broadcasting standards yet again, ironically for comparing someone else to a Pit Bull.
Breaking the Banks
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012We’ve now seen John Banks’ attempt to convince the police not to release (under the Official Information Act) information about him from their investigation into his alleged breaches of electoral law. His lawyer makes some very interesting arguments. Release would trigger “irresponsible commentary” from Banks’ “political adversaries”. It would “bring the criminal justice system into […]
The operative word
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012How often do government Ministers tell us that they never comment on “police operational matters”? And for good reason: countries where police are at the beck and call of politicians are police states. But in relation to the Dotcom/GCSB matter, we have our Prime Minister telling us that the police’s investigation is a “political stunt” […]
Fifty shades unrestricted
Thursday, September 27th, 2012The censor’s office has classified the international blockbusting romantic erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, as unrestricted. That means, essentially, they’re saying that its availability is not injurious to the public good. I think it’s a sensible and thoughtful decision. But then, I would: Random House engaged me to write the submissions for them. Books like […]
Come on NZ Herald, make a clean breast of it
Friday, September 7th, 2012The Press Council has partly upheld a complaint against the NZ Herald for its inaccurate and unfair editorial on the Piri Weepu breast/bottle feeding saga. It has also upheld a complaint against the Herald on Sunday for its coverage. Thus, the papers have had to publish a summary of the decisions. (They point out that the full […]
Defending the Law Commission again
Friday, September 7th, 2012The NZ Herald’s Chris Barton takes a swipe at the Law Commission’s proposals to create a communications tribunal and a new criminal offence of using a communications device to send grossly offensive material designed to harm someone. I think the way he makes his criticisms is a bit unfair. He says the Commission’s new offence […]
Gobsmacked
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012Episode two in my exasperated campaign to let people take notes in court (Episode one is here). I understand that yesterday a Court of Appeal judge stopped someone from taking notes in the public gallery during the hearing of Greenpeace’s argument that it should be given charitable status. No information in the argument was sensitive or […]
Forum on the Law Commission’s proposals
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012Internet NZ is running a forum to debate the Law Commission’s proposals, and particularly the possible establishment of a Communications Tribunal. It’s to be in Wellington (17 September, Wellington Town Hall, 1-5pm) and Auckland (18 September, Aotea Centre, 1-5pm) . All are welcome, but you need to RSVP. Details here (including a link to the […]
« Previous Entries Next Entries »