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. […]
Protection of journalists’ sources
Monday, August 7th, 2017Here’s a useful resource for journalists trying to communicate with confidential sources without leaving electronic (or other) footprints that might unwittingly burn them.
Is it possible that Todd Barclay did not commit an offence?
Tuesday, June 20th, 2017Newsroom has done a terrific job of trying to get to the bottom of the allegation that National MP Todd Barclay secretly recorded his former electorate agent Glenys Dickson. Newsroom claims Barclay left a dictaphone in the Gore electorate office and recorded Dickson’s side of phone conversations. It suggests that he may have recorded conversations […]
Open Government Partnership draft final report for New Zealand
Tuesday, January 10th, 2017I’ve mentioned that I’m the New Zealand researcher for the Open Government Partnership, an international organisation in which governments promise to implement action plans to increase government transparency and accountability. My draft final report is available for public comment here: http://www.opengovpartnership.org/country/comment-report/new-zealand-end-term-report-2014-2016-public-comment
Margaret Harkema welcomes TV3 defamation settlement and apology
Thursday, December 8th, 2016As some of you know, I act for Margaret Harkema, a dog and horse breeder in Hastings. You may also have seen the apology broadcast by TV3 at about 7pm last night, and repeated tonight. If you missed it, you can catch it again tomorrow night, or see it on the Newshub’s website for the next […]
OGP consultations underway
Thursday, August 4th, 2016If you are interested in transparency issues, then there’s a brief but significant chance for you to have some effect on government. The government has to draw up its action plan for open government under the Open Government Partnership by October. That plan is supposed to include commitments that improve transparency, accountability and public participation […]
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