Peters makes newspaper ownership political
Overseas ownership of New Zealand news media outlets is in the political spotlight, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters saying it has eroded journalism standards.
A traditional opponent of overseas ownership, Mr Peters told NZPA he was concerned about the profits of domestic media, banking and forestry companies going off shore.
"It has also led to serious erosion of media standards and journalism reporting because people are given no time to do any work properly, instant sound bites have become the name of the game, and that is sliding its way into tabloid journalism," Mr Peters said.
International companies that owned New Zealand media outlets had failed to support investigative journalism and had "squeezed the professional capacity" out of the industry, he said.
"I'm the last one in the world that should be making a sympathetic argument for the journalists of this country, but I'm telling you that's exactly what happened."
Proper investigative journalism was essential for the democracy of a nation, Mr Peters said.
"If it's good enough for (Australian media magnate Rupert) Murdoch to have to become an American citizen to have to get into America (media) why are we behaving like this?"
Requiring a percentage of domestic ownership of media outlets was one way to prevent all the profits going overseas, he said.
New Zealand First is not represented in Parliament, after failing to secure enough votes in the 2008 election.
Both major New Zealand newspaper groups -- Fairfax and APN -- trace ownership to Australia, while Mediaworks (TV3) is owned by Ironbridge Capital, a leading independent Australasian private equity group, which purchased it off Canadian owners.
John Fairfax Holdings Ltd, which owns the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review, is parent company of Fairfax NZ which in New Zealand has more than 18 businesses and divisions, including community, regional and national newspapers, magazine publishing, distribution and internet.
It owns The Dominion Post, Christchurch Press and Sunday Star-Times newspapers, stuff.co.nz, and magazines such as Cuisine and TV Guide.
APN News&Media's assets in this country include The New Zealand Herald, seven regional daily titles, magazines including the New Zealand Woman's Weekly and New Zealand Listener, and 50 percent of The Radio Network whose networks include NewstalkZB, Classic Hits and ZM.
The National Business Review is independent and privately and locally owned.
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Comments and questions18
What a crack up.
From the block who who held up a "NO" banner to all media and NZ voting public - who were all saying and thinking "YES"
The guy that mastered half answers and dodged questions behind legal protections..... and single handedly eroded the NZ political landscape.
Come on Phil Kitchin and others - lets see some half "proper" investigative journalism. Maybe Mr Peters will now be willing to answer some hard questions.
News media fail the nz community in a number of ways including bias.
There is an argument for a KiwiBank style solution but it must avoid capture by political masters thus perpetuating the bias.
The essential element and principle to be achieved is un-biassed reporting and opinion. If, like Kiwibank, that was government funded initially, then sold out under a Charter, the NZ media scene would be greatly improved. That new media outlet could be the sole source for reliable government information thus gaining an edge over its biased existing competition.. The problem with the media is that the barrier to entry is too high for competition to enter. Thus government funding is a necessary evil along the way. The alternative would be licencing conditions.
If winnie is the answer what on earth could the question be?
What a convenient "target" to get one's name in the media again perhaps?
I'd love to get answers to questions Winston has never answered Monaco Consul. But the two answers Winston gave me when I got to speak to him during my investigation into NZ First funding and all the lies about the Spencer Trust were...1) Phil, I'm not speaking to a lying wanker (then the phone went dead), and 2) Phil, I've told you I'm not speaking to a lying gripper. Do you know what that is, it is a lying wanker who won't let go (then the phone went dead).
Come on Winston keep up the good work
Maybe the source isn't that great but he does have a point the Herald is rubbish of late.
New Zealand media outlets such as the NZ Herald and the former INL papers now owned by Fairfax were voluntarily sold to foreign interests by their former NZ owners. The Wilson and Horton families clearly wanted out of the newspaper business, as did the former INL shareholders. Did any New Zealanders want to buy the Herald and former INL titles?
If there had been laws against these papers being owned by foreign interests, they may have shut down altogether.
So Peters is looking for another hobby horse to try and ride into Parliament
Congratulations NBR! That is the funniest story I've read in years. Hopefully Winston's return to the political scene will encourage investigative journalists and grippers to reopen their old files and start digging again and he may get his wish!
For those Journos and others in the know here - this is the funniest article and comment page I have read for a long time.
All we are missing is Ms Spin!
Come on Winstone why don't you go on live TV with the "Gripper" and demonstrate open reporting and investigation with some answers you have never provided.
Give us break - Audrey Young (NZ Herald owned by APN News & Media) blew the Owen Glenn fiasco open. Phil Kitchin completed the double in the (Dom-Post owned by Fairfax). Great investigative reporting by two first-class journalists working for Aust owned media but under good Kiwi editors.
I believe Close Up should invite Mr Peters and Mr Kitchin on live TV tonight to demonstrate quality investigative reporting.
Does anyone know anyone who can arrange this and make it happen.
I am sure Mr Peters would be willing to appear and show his true desire for greater investigative reporting standards and be open to providing the answers that the NZ public have yet been provided.
Question:
What's the difference between Winston Peters and Telecom XT?
Answer:
Telecom XT sometimes serves the New Zealand public.
Ha! Beautiful quotes.
THe prob with all of the attacks on the messenger, is that he's right! Hypocritical is debatable, but he's right. The lack of deep scrutiny of our polis et al is appalling. Also, the deeply anti Nats/pro Labour NZHerald reportage (verging on propoganda) and conversely the ODT's pro-Key stance. Either way, we actuially owe Peters a lot in exposing the Wine Box rorts, even though the whole thing was turned into a fiasco by vested interests making sure that the terms of reference denied legal argument.. I was always merely entertained by Winstone, but now I look back at his predictions per NZ democracy etc I realise he's not as stupid as his enemies want us to think he is. Consumate politician? YEs... Aren't they all? Without a doubt. Would he buy for one second this current Foreshore and Seabed fraud/hijacking of democracy/tribalisation of the NZ legal system? NEVER.
Bring back Winne
All is forgiven
. He is the most unlikey white knight for investigative journalism....
It’s a bit like having the Ayatollah petition the Pope to expand fundamental Christian beliefs throughout the Muslim world......and just about as sincere!
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