Nothing to see here

Good on Russell Brown for maintaining life support for the multi-million dollar faith-based spending story surrounding PEDA. While the MSM scurry around for the latest takeaway receipts from assorted politicians, they continue to ignore the $4.3 million uncontested buffet that Bill English handed to this private company in the budget.

You can buy a lot of pies for $4.3 million. You could almost buy Bill English's house in Karori four times over. Two months and one radio host suspension later, the only thing that has become clear is that the bill stops at Mr English. An OIA request on the relevant Cabinet papers approving the spending would prove enlightening.

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One event that seems destined to slip down the memory hole is last Sunday night's military exercise above Wellington. In a country where hermit sheep make headlines, it is simply impossible that this rare event wasn't newsworthy. A short blurb appeared in the DomPost before the noisy Sunday in question, illuminating in its opacity. On the Monday, NatRad's Checkpoint had a few disgruntled residents justifiably complaining about the loud wops late at night, but nothing online in the DomPost.

OK, it was late night stuff and maybe the dramatic art of formation Iroquois helicopters flying like a nocturnal salute to M*A*S*H might have been delayed at the 1 Hour Photo store or something. Tuesday, still nothing. No art, no story. It's as if it never happened.

Even the Wellington City Council press release has evaporated. This is some pretty spooky indication of the state of New Zealand's national security powers.

Do Not Feed the Animals

There's a veritable media frenzy in the MSM and blogosphere about the new rules to cover how the press cover the Parliamentary zoo. The MSM have declared war with the DomPost showing Tariana Turia with a headache next to Heather Roy. The Herald has a photo gallery dedicated to politician self-ridicule.

Although the new rules loosen the press gallery's leash in some respects, the contempt of parliament charge for depicting MPs in "satire, ridicule or denigration" was a step way over the line. It is a well known constitutional convention that we reserve the right to take the piss. I thought the Speaker had nodded to this ideal by pushing for MPs to be more accountable to the Official Information Act. It was fun while it lasted. Jeremy Wells could be jailed for doing what he does under the new rules.

Colin Espiner's new blog had a go at the story last night. I posted a comment about the Jeremy Wells factor, then refreshed the page to check whether comments were posted automatically or held for approval a la Cactus. It was there. Now it's not. In fact, it disappeared within an hour of posting it last night. And there you have it. Truth is a three-edged sword.

Long before Parliament upped the heavies and installed X-Ray machines, Press House in Boulcott St has been locked up like a nunnery. Unlike Question Time at Parliament, you couldn't just walk in off the street into the typing pool. TVNZ is likewise securitised. Try to satirise, ridicule or denigrate an MSM and they will sic lawyers on you. Don't mistake this for a David and Goliath story. This is fight between Goliaths for the monopoly on truth.

They shoot press gallery journalists, don't they?

Not here, we don't. Nor have any of NZ's press gallery been kicked out of a gig for just being there. Good on Commonwealth Press Union stalwart Tim Pankhurst going in to bat for press freedom (again) by accusing the DPS of exceeding their authority. Damned straight. That is not their function and it's a shame to see their role diminished by this incident.

Am also deeply unimpressed with the official response. The Speaker's report better have some very explicit material to back up Helen Clark's assertion that Nick Wang was 'causing a disturbance.' An immediate back-track to ignorance of the circumstances, as well as Michael Cullen's mantra of 'unfortunate,' sounds unusually defensive and does not bode well.

I haven't renewed my Labour Party membership yet, and I'm running out of reasons to remain a member. Hmmm, maybe I'll do a Mulholland.