WANK ALERT

So this is the sign from a bunch of protesting lefties who think that RNZ is the only repository of intelligence? And we also note that 15,000 people are happy to sign up to another fatuous Facebook campaign to save RNZ but only 150 turn up to protest.. Duh.

Then while we are on the case of RNZ we were fascinated by this story in the Dom this morning.. Ex head of News Lyn Snowdon whos case is now the stuff of Employment Court legend has had the court accept her claim that there is a prima facie case to answer on her allegation that the books at RNZ were cooked.

Thats going to be a fun case to watch unfold...

We also hope that those RNZ Board members who are having difficulty with the current governments philosophy show some strength of character and resign. Its the good thing to do. We want to see the board populated with some visionaries. Soon.

BEST OF THE BLOGS.

Ethical Martini has a very humourous take on some of the hysterical American style media coverage of the Napier shooting here and here

He rightly points out the breathless reporting of rumour as fact in the race to be first with the latest breaking events.

Whale Oil sticks it to David Shearer, the Labour candidate for Mt Albert who thinks that crime isn't a big issue in Mt Albert.

Home Paddock has a roundup on two big philanthropic gifts - one by Eion Edgar for the Olympic committee and the other from New Zealandiophiles Julian and Josie Robertson who have donated a stunning art collection to the Auckland Gallery and finally and most importantly for farmers, some largesse from Ravensdown offering drought ridden farmers some relief.

And Alf Grumble obviously learnt more than stock ratios, wool classing and optimum rates of hop consumption when he was a young tigger at Lincoln University doing his Dip Ag. He does a lovely, almost scholarly dissection of some wankers PHD on the effectiveness of blogging.

And GoNZo does a nice takedown of some crap subbing at the Herald.

And Hat Tip to Cactus for this one - some executive eye candy for all us executive sweet tooths.


And then Adam over at Inquiring Mind has a lovely poem called the Gords prayer. Nice find.

We had the day off - getting hair done, bit of shopping to help support the economy and a wee bit of non blog writing..

SPIN SPUN

Ethical Martini has a nice take on some reaction to the foggy world of infotainment, advertorial and down right payola in Australia. The Australian media has been put on notice after a court decision that defines news and spin. Under their Trade Practices Act, media organisations could face fines of $1million if they muddy the waters.
The Australian has the article Ethical Martini refers to on how their equivalent of Comcom - the ACCC has slapped a broadcaster over a deceptive story on a get rich quick scheme . Unlike our Comcom - the ACCC turns board room barons to jelly at the mere mention of the A triple C. Previous heads of the organisation have had serious threats after stoushes with corrupt business big wigs.

Todays media landscape in NZ is cluttered with advertorial, spin and advertising and commentary all masquerading as fact. Its a tough world for Joe Blow trying to get the good information to guide his life.

The question is do the New Zealand public want more regulation of the media environment?