RADIO ALLAH

We were quite perturbed to find a story over on Kiwiblog re the Radio NZ - Blood money junket to Iran. Farrar picked up a document we showed him at lunch and has run it as a scoop. What a tosser!.


This was the missive from RNZ spinner John Barr yesterday - note the declaration that the Iranian propaganda machine IRIB Islamic revolution of Iran Broadcasting Agency is parting with blood money so the NZ journalists can attend an international radio talkfest they are sponsoring.


John Barr 2/22/2010 2:05 PM

Two blog sites ( dont forget the NBR )- not a blog site but main stream media ) are currently running a story that Radio New Zealand is being sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. To clarify the position for staff, two Radio New Zealand staff members have been invited to take part in an international radio festival and conference in Iran, but the
invitation came not from the IRIB organisers but the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the umbrella agency for public broadcasting in our region. Our staff are not representing Radio New Zealand, but are attending on behalf of ABU, and if that organisation had not issued the invitation, they would
not be attending. All the costs of the trip will be reimbursed by the IRIB. No programme-making or gathering of content for air on Radio New Zealand will be done during the attendance at the event.

Then we got a copy of an internal email trying to shed some " light" on the issue.

Its the one Farrar must have sifted from us at lunch.


Email dated 23rd March

As staff may be aware, there has been some ill-informed discussion on some blog sites regarding the attendance of two Radio New Zealand staff at an upcoming radio festival in Iran.

Some background information on this issue, which has been provided in response to a query from the New Zealand Herald, is attached to this email for the information of staff.

Peter Cavanagh
Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief

ABU Invitation

Spoken Features Manager, Paul Bushnell, and Executive Producer of Drama, Adam Macaulay, have been invited by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) to be its representatives at a radio forum and training workshops to be held in Iran in May. The same ABU of which RNZ is a member

This approach was initiated by the ABU. Without a request from the ABU, Radio New Zealand would not be attending this event. Note the Iranian broadcaster is on the the ABU council.

The ABU is the umbrella organisation for public broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region, representing around 200 broadcasters and broadcasting organisations from more than 60 countries. Radio New Zealand and TVNZ are both members of the ABU, as are the BBC and the ABC in Australia.

The radio workshops are an ABU event designed to help train broadcasters from the developing world. The radio forum is an event organized by the ABU and hosted by the Iranian state broadcaster, IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting).

The two Radio New Zealand employees will be attending both events as representatives of the ABU, not as representatives of Radio New Zealand. As ABU representatives they will conduct training workshops, act as jury members for various awards and participate in forum discussions dealing with subjects such as radio features production and online broadcasting.

They will not be taking leave to attend. So they are being paid by RNZ but not representing RNZ???? So the taxpayers are paying their salary while they are guests of a corrupt regime?

Their attendance is in line with Radio New Zealand’s commitment to the ABU and other organisations such as the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) to assist in the training of broadcasters from developing countries.

There will be no cost to Radio New Zealand. Under a separate arrangement between the ABU and the IRIB, the costs of all ABU representatives attending the event are covered by the host broadcaster.

So Iranian blood money is being used to fund the junket!

International attendance at this year’s event has not yet been finalized. By way of example however the event was attended by the BBC in 2008 and Australia’s ABC in 2009.

It is a tribute to the international professional standing of Radio New Zealand and the two individual staff members concerned that the ABU has asked them to be their representatives at this event.

No programme-making or content gathering activity will take place during this event and no material from the event will be used on air by Radio New Zealand.

And this is the organisation that has the temerity to claim that it will be tainted if it forced to accept sponsorship from big business?? So its okay for to take sponsorship from a corrupt regime thats very existence is based on the supression of freedom but not okay to have commercial sponsorship?

And then we have this small issue that Ace journo David Cohen of NBR has uncovered.

EPMU to launch Walkley media magazine

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union hopes to broaden the debate about the role of journalism in New Zealand with the launch of Australia’s leading media magazine, The Walkley, in Wellington this evening and in Auckland tomorrow evening.

The launches will feature a keynote speech from Chris Warren, secretary of the Australian Media Alliance and immediate past president of the International Federation of Journalists, about the challenges facing journalism in New Zealand and Australia.

Brent Edwards, chair of the EPMU print and media industry council, says the magazine has potential to make a significant contribution to journalism in New Zealand.

“The Walkley has been published for decades by a foundation set up by our sister union, the Australian Media Alliance, and has made a huge contribution to Australian journalism. It’s a great privilege to be able to work with the Alliance to make the magazine a transtasman publication.

“We’re hoping The Walkley will not only inform journalists here but also provoke a wider debate about the role of journalism and how we practice it in New Zealand and Australia.

“This is a critical time for journalism in this country and we hope working journalists will take the opportunity to contribute to the magazine and get that debate going.”

Chris Warren says he’s pleased to welcome New Zealand journalists into the Walkley community.

“This gives us an opportunity to discuss and debate issues that affect us across Australia and New Zealand. We’ve got a lot to share and a lot to learn in what is becoming an increasingly common media space – same employers, same challenges, same issues.”

The first transtasman edition of The Walkley will feature Brent Edwards writing about the EPMU’s Journalism Matters campaign and Gael Woods on the debate over how name suppression and contempt of court should apply to bloggers.

Journalists, whether union or non-union, are invited to the Wellington launch this evening at the Connolly Hall, Guildford Tce (behind Sacred Heart Church, Hill street) from 6-8pm, and the Auckland launch tomorrow from 6-8pm upstairs at the Shakespeare.

For more information about The Walkley visit www.walkleys.com/magazine

ENDS

Apparently Brent Edwards and Gael Woods, both high profile RNz staffers and lefty unionists are allowed to write about highly political articles in union publications...

Something its not okay for Sean Plunket to do..

So we think its time for RNZ to stop pretending that it is a bastion of political neutrality when in fact it is a hotbed of leftist views and staff are prepared to suck up to corrupt regimes for a junket to the other side of the world.

Time for a new board .....

RNZ - HOTBED OF MEDIOCRITY

We are not surprised by the contents of this leaked email.

It clearly shows

• Petty mindedness.
• Excellence is not a goal.
• Success is not celebrated
• No team spirit

What a lilliputian minded wank. Why don''t they get rid of the complete waste of time programmes that have audiences in single figures? Here's a leaked email that shows how venal RNZ management is. We think it is really a sad bit of politicing. Wont work. Too silly for words - even without pictures.

Entries have been called for the 2010 New Zealand Radio Awards

Radio New Zealand announced last year that it would withdraw from the New Zealand Radio Awards. Radio New Zealand will not be making an entry in any categories of the awards in 2010, nor will it be paying a contribution towards the administration or sponsorship of the awards.

This decision was announced as one of a several measures to reduce costs in a year when funding constraints will put severe pressure on Radio New Zealand's operating budget. Money saved as a result of our withdrawal from the awards will be used to support core Charter requirements.

Radio New Zealand staff may choose to submit an independent entry to the awards, however, anyone considering an entry on their own behalf should first discuss those intentions with their manager.

An individual entry must be your own work, in your own name, rather than for a programme. Entry fees for independent submissions will be paid by the individual. All preparation needs to be completed outside normal work hours without asking operators or other staff to assist you. Final sign off
for Radio New Zealand copyright material will still be required from your manager.

A new and substantially changed format for the 2010 New Zealand Radio Awards has been announced by the New Zealand Radio Industry Awards Committee. Web technology will play a significant role in the 2010 Awards with the submission of entries, judging and the presentation of the awards themselves
all being conducted online. The timetable for entry is much later than in previous years because of the online process.

A call for entries was made last week and submissions close on Monday 1st March 2010.

The New Zealand Radio Awards web address is : http://radioawards.co.nz/

Pathetic.....

Gloat, you read this at Roar prawn first....

Sad but true,

and isnt it ironic that this is all about RNZ worrying about competition when it doesnt compete commercially with any media ??????

Plunket will find a good home - I've heard his phones been going since the story broke on Roarprawn.





Plunket looks for new job after RNZ row
4:00AM Tuesday Sep 23, 2008By John Drinnan
Sean Plunket. Photo / NZ Listener
Radio New Zealand's Morning Report host Sean Plunket says he is "moving on and looking for a new job" after 11 years with state radio.
Radio New Zealand insiders said that difficult relations with RNZ boss Peter Cavanagh had come to a head when the CEO banned him from hosting tonight's pre-election debate about the internet on TVNZ 7 Freeview.
Political commentators typically swap around media for special shows in the run-up to elections.
But an insider said that the row went beyond that and on to plans for Plunket.
"They want him to be the new Geoff," said the source.
Plunket's co-host Geoff Robinson is expected to move on soon.
Plunket - who is arguably New Zealand's toughest broadcasting interviewer and famous for taking politicians to task - said that after 11 years he was looking for a role that had a new spark. He had not resigned yet.
"I'm putting my portfolio together and I'll be taking my time," he said.
TVNZ 7, a digital information channel available on Freeview, confirmed that Plunket pulled out of hosting tonight's internet debate suddenly at the weekend.

"But that is a matter between him and Radio New Zealand," said TVNZ 7 management. Blogger and journalist Damian Christie was assigned to the programme at short notice. Plunket would not discuss the demand that he pull out of tonight's internet debate.
A Radio New Zealand source said Mr Cavanagh was insistent Plunket could not have a role outside RNZ.
Plunket said there was nothing in his employment contract that limited his hosting special events for other media.
The TVNZ 7 audience is tiny and a high-profile presenter like Plunket would attract viewers. But Mr Cavanagh is said to be wary about boosting TVNZ 7 and has stopped other freelancers from working for the new Freeview channel.
It is understood he fears that as TVNZ 7's audience grows it will undermine RNZ's role promoting National Radio.

RNZ CORPORATE MEMBER OF THE ABU

Funny how bullshit can catch up with you .

We have expressed disgust at the fact that RNZ workers have been sponsored to attend a Radio talkfest in Iran hosted by the Iranian propaganda machine the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and event they are promoting and and jointly funding with the Asian Pacific Broadcasting Union ( ABU )



Now when we ran the story RNZ's mouthpiece John Barr was quick to distance the broadcaster from the event.

Two Radio New Zealand staff members have been invited to take part in an international radio festival and conference in Iran, but the invitation came not from the IRIB organisers but the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the umbrella agency for public broadcasting in our region. Our staff are not representing Radio New Zealand, but are attending on behalf of ABU, and if that organisation had not issued the invitation, they would not be attending.

John Barr
Communications Manager
Radio New Zealand

Now a simple search of the ABU site shows that RNZ is an Associate member.



But its getting even more interesting... the IRIB is a not only a member - its on the ruling council of the ABU.

So this raises a couple of interesting issues. Firstly it is disingenuous of Barr to try and distance RNZ from the event. Secondly if RNZ has not officially sanctioned the trip then have the RNZ staffers asked official permission as they are required to do under the terms of the Editorial Policy 2005 that states that all staff must get permission of the CE for any junkets or non RNZ engagements?

After all we all watched with interest when the state broadcaster came down on Sean Plunket for writing a column in Metro , which apparently is outside the the terms of the 2005 policy.

So

• we have RNZ employees being sponsored to speak at an international conference that is being sponsored and hosted by the corrupt Iranian State Broadcaster.

• We have RNZ's mouthpeice saying its staff are not representing RNZ at the talk fest.

• We have RNZ being a member of the organisation co-hosting and funding the event

• We dont know if the staffers have official permission of the CE to take part in a non - RNZ event which will be in a highly charged political environment.

And just in case you are wondering why we think its an affront to every New Zealander that the RNZ staffers appear at a conference that is essentially hosted ( and we bet largely funded ) by the Iranian propaganda machine the IRIB ...

Then here is the reason why.



And this man who heads the organisation IRIB that is effectively sponsoring the RNZ junket lied about it as he called the video a fabrication.

Everyone who cares about democracy, in the name of Neda Agha Soltan, should write to RNZ at rnz@radionz.co.nz and express their deep concern that this has been allowed to happen.

Winston declares war on an enemy that didnt know it was an enemy

This is very sad, very winston, and is unliley to be covered anywhere but here because why would the media cover it?

read and weep..


Winston Peters: A Land Full Of NoiseFriday, 12 September 2008, 11:27 amSpeech: New Zealand First Party
Media Release
An address by Rt Hon Winston Peters to Grey Power Howick/Pakuranga Lloyd Elsmore Park, South Auckland, Friday, 12 September 2008, at 11am.
A Land Full Of Noise
Thank you for your invitation to be here today.
If you believe some media reports you were probably expecting some kind of monster with a red coat, forked feet, horns, and a tail, breathing fire and smoke!
Sorry if you are disappointed. It’s only me! No horns, no tail, no problem!
There is an old proverb.
“You should only believe half of what you see, and none of which you hear”
That applies to what this talk is about.
Some thoughts about what is happening in front of your eyes in the media and what is going on to subvert democracy in New Zealand.
It goes to the heart of the basic Kiwi belief that everyone is entitled to a fair go – and that even the criminal facing the most serious charges is entitled to a fair trial.
Our whole justice system is founded on this.
Hundreds of thousands of people died last century protecting societies that were unshaken in their resolve to never let go of their inherent fairness.
It is an ideal that people are still prepared to die for.
However there are some people in our society who see themselves above all that.
There is one group you will not see being persecuted on television, on the radio or in the newspapers.
There is one group that will not be brought before Parliament’s Privileges Committee.
Except in rare and exceptional circumstances, or a ratings war, there is one group who will not be the subject of a concerted campaign of vilification and disparagement by the media.
That group is the media itself.
They are like a school of piranhas circling society, seeking to slash, tear, maim and destroy anything that shows any signs of weakness, non-conformity or heaven forbid – criticises the media.
The 18th century British philosopher and Member of Parliament Edmund Burke said that there were three Estates in Parliament, but in the Reporters’ Gallery, there sat a Fourth Estate, far more important than them all.
The expression ‘Fourth Estate’ is now taken to cover not just the press but the whole of the mass media.
The term has a distinguished ring.
It creates an image of a profession – serious – responsible and public spirited.
At its best the media is a key element in our democracy.
But in New Zealand the mainstream media are in trouble and it shows.
Don’t get this wrong. There are still some journalists of the highest standards with ethics.
But something is seriously wrong with the state of journalism.
It is most apparent in the falling off in journalistic standards.
What standard should we expect of journalists?
Well we do not expect infallibility any more than we do in any other system in which people strive to find the truth - knowing that in practice the truth is elusive and sometimes found in differing versions.
But we are entitled to expect a genuine commitment from journalists to inform the public.
That is the opposite of misleading the public – deluding the public, misinforming the public, and going on ego trips.
Somehow we have got to point where inaccuracy and downright lies are now accepted by journalists if they add to the impact of the story.
Why is this happening?
All too often journalists are working under pressure – and the temptation to cut corners gets the upper hand.
There is time pressure – the race to pre-empt rivals by breaking or revealing a story –even if all the facts have not been properly checked.
There is also financial and commercial pressure – the imperative to deliver “scandal” stories that will promote the product and make money for the proprietors.
Hence the hunt for sensation - the next ‘big story’.
One journalist in Parliament told my senior press secretary last week that she had suggested a number of stories to her news editor about important legislation being passed.
She was told to forget them and to go for Winston Peters. Apparently Winston Peters sells newspapers and attracts television viewers.
Never mind that thousands of peoples’ lives were being affected by the legislation!
And that is the real nub of the issue here.
Editors of our major newspapers, television stations and radio stations have all decided getting rid of Peters is the most important political story in the country.
In fact some of have made it their sole focus – with one going as far as saying that even if Winston Peters is innocent he should be sacked.
People wonder why I am at odds with the media from time to time.
But how would they feel if every editor of every newspaper ganged up and said it is time for you to go.
They have decided it is not up to the people of New Zealand, but them – and that is what incenses us most.
They even have the audacity to criticise the Prime Minister when she wants to follow the principles of natural justice.
Let me give you one more example.
Last Wednesday night I appeared before Parliament’s Privileges Committee to give my side of the story.
TV3 decided to screen it live – or so they said.
When it wasn’t going their way they cut the feed off – and then went to a failed broadcaster and TVNZ reject who is part of a court case I am taking against TVNZ, who then spewed his bile.
This after TV3 ratings were over one hundred thousand viewers larger than they would normally be.
No wonder talkback went wild.
Things weren’t going their way so TV3 cut the feed – now let me ask you where is the justice in that.
The announcement last month that Fairfax Media are to slash 160 jobs in New Zealand signals a further fall in standards.
Once it was an article of faith in journalism that the facts were sacred.
Now if no facts are to be found - it is a case of making some up.
For the media facts are no longer sacrosanct.
There is a temptation to get creative, inventive, and start embellishing them.
This has bred a style of journalism that is:
 Shallow
 Lacking in proportion
 Cavalier with the facts
Is it any wonder that more and more people are abandoning the mainstream media as their prime source of information?
What is happening within the media now is that they are all taking in each other’s washing.
This practice has been referred to as “churnalism”.
This involves recycling second hand stories without checking facts – without seeking corroboration and without adding anything that is new or of value.
It also means that journalists steer clear of providing BOTH SIDES of a story.
Journalists seem to be unable to carefully balance sets of conflicting facts and then let the public make up their own minds.
They believe that they have to tell you that someone is a “baddie” and someone else is a “goodie”.
The goodies and baddies are decided at the morning editorial meetings.
You have no say – after all the journalists are the experts.
They are at least five years out of secondary school with a journalism diploma.
They are all experts in every subject under the sun and they actually believe their opinions are important.
Einstein was a slow learner compared to this lot.
Journalists should be reminded that ultimately their profession rests on trust.
If their stories are not to be trusted they have no credibility.
Their stories will not be read or watched.
Many journalists are also blogsters. They write their opinions on the Internet.
There is an inherent danger in this.
How can a journalist report fairly on an issue involving New Zealand First when he or she is demanding my resignation on their blogsite?
If you raise this issue with them, they look bewildered, or worse, offended.
They do not understand that if they take a public position on an issue it is impossible to be seen as a neutral observer acting on behalf of the public.
Tell me, how much are you being told of political policies - the things that will happen after the election?
How much critical appraisal have you seen of the National Party’s policies – or lack of them?
It is not as if there are no serious issues for journalists to get their atrophied investigative skills into, for example:
 The huge losses among finance and property companies that has seen hard working Kiwis relieved of billions of dollars
 The dire state of the balance of payments
 The ongoing exodus of the young and the restless to Australia
 The threadbare policy positions of some parties and their failure to address the real issues facing New Zealand
 The loss of our prime assets into overseas ownership
No, the media prefer to hound New Zealand First on the basis of speculation and innuendo.
Against New Zealand First the media turned into a hunting pack.
The media campaign against us can be summed up in three words:
 Unfounded
 Disproportionate
 Scurrilous
We acknowledge the media have an important job to do.
But it is not to be the police, judge and jury or to decide on the law of the land.
Their role is certainly not to usurp the expressed will of the people as reflected in Parliament.
The media should never lose sight of one fact – they are not elected.
They are self-appointed and accountable only to their proprietors in overseas boardrooms.
TVNZ are accountable only to themselves. Their organisation is a giant personal cash cow.
Instead of defending democracy in this country, the media are actually creating a threat to it by failing to give you ALL the facts and BOTH sides of the story.
The New Zealand First side of the story has yet to be told.
We have made some mistakes – trivial human mistakes that can be rectified.
We are confident about this.
Find one party that hasn’t.
Our mistakes happened after a change of three key office holders and in one case a serious communications gap.
Fair minded New Zealanders know that I have never enriched myself on any battle fought on their behalf.
In these battles we are fighting the same faces with whom over two decades we have had so many battles.
I have spent my whole political life to preserve New Zealand for New Zealanders.
This is an attempt to undo the people’s will, to bring down a government then govern alone. My enemies and an elite media have surely proven that.
My record over many years speaks for itself. I have made more sacrifices than most.
We want above everything else to be judged by decent New Zealanders who understand justice and the essence of democracy, not bias, prejudice and pre-judgement before any of the facts are even known.
We want you to decide our fate – not some media baron in a foreign boardroom.
And we will accept your decision – confident it will be fair.
ENDS