Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Criminalising Journalism

318 Responses

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  • Tom Semmens,

    Muldoonism anyone?

    More like Tom Cruise and the Scientologists.

    And I think polling and asking people if the conversation should have been taped is going to give you a deceptive answer. If you asked me, I would answer “no, it should not be taped” – a private conversation where neither party gives consent should never be covertly taped.

    But there it is, done. So if you were to also ask me should this tape, since it exists, should be released I would say “Yes”.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite,

    Latest soundbite from RNZ news. I paraphrase as best I can:

    “When asked if this was a good use of police time, Key said that National had reduced crime rates and they had some time on their hands.”

    My head made a suicidal leap towards the desk, a fall that would have had disastrous consequences had my palm not heroically intervened.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    gold

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Kracklite,

    “When asked if this was a good use of police time, Key said that National had reduced crime rates and they had some time on their hands.”

    That sounded like something straight out of Yes Minister.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • octopusgrrl, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I do kind of hope that he was joking, but after recent foot/mouth episodes who can say?

    Dunedin • Since May 2009 • 33 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    Cafe taping is killing politics is brilliant. Where's the copyright thread when you need it. Is what the PM says within copyright? /I jest I jest/

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    That sounded like something straight out of Yes Minister.

    In the sequel of which (Yes, Prime Minister), the PM says to Humphrey "You must always treat every microphone like a live microphone", shortly before squeezing every concession possible out of him. One of the only times that Humpy loses.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • linger,

    Um, remind me again,
    are crime rates decreasing?
    even if so, can it be shown to have anything to do with National’s policy direction?
    and, ah, if crime rates are being reduced, why do we need new prisons and a streamlined, slimlined justice system?

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    More like Tom Cruise and the Scientologists.

    Or Silvio Berlusconi.

    Come to think of it, will tape recorders become the newest liberal fashion accesory?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Kracklite,

    Pretty good paraphrase:

    When asked whether his complaint was a good use of police time, Mr Key said National had lowered the crime rate across the country and police had a little bit of spare time.

    Story here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to merc,

    Cafe taping is killing politics

    here

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • merc, in reply to linger,

    Linger, less crime is due to more prisons...we are now down the rabbit hole folks.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • merc, in reply to Sacha,

    Ah thank you Sacha I tried to link but I twit noobed it, so it became a theft of sorts, police are investigating me, because you know they have more time now ;-)

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    This is boiling over.
    I predict that the tape will escape, today or tomorrow.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    By my reading, Richardson would have faced charges had Palmer made a criminal complaint. He didn’t do that.

    Your reading is way wrong.

    1. Parliamentary proceedings are absolutely privileged.
    2. Black didn't intentionally record the conversation, so subsequent use of it isn't criminally proscribed.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Russell Brown,

    When asked whether his complaint was a good use of police time, Mr Key said National had lowered the crime rate across the country and police had a little bit of spare time.

    You know, I imagine the cops may actually take mild offence at this...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    Your reading is way wrong.

    Fair enough. Correction made.

    I should have phrased that differently -- as something for National's outraged blogerati to consider when they fume over the political use of a private conversation.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    it's a *private* conversation if I say it is enough times, OK

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10766703
    A close reading of this produces some fine contradictions, possibly future perjury and speaking about a crime while it is actually being investigated.
    Until the judge says so, there has been no illegal taping. And Graeme, correct me if I am wrong but your point 2 stands in this case if intention is not proven?

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    Darth George says no.

    His argument spirals off-point so fast that it is indeed like watching Darth spin off into the distance at the end of the first Star Wars film. But I didn't expect otherwise. I'm just mildly surprised he didn't manage to wrangle an anti-abortion rant into it somehow.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg,

    When asked whether his complaint was a good use of police time, Mr Key said National had lowered the crime rate across the country and police had a little bit of spare time.

    I feel a great disturbance in NZ, as if millions of voices suddenly LOLed, and then just kept on LOLing.

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAA

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    There's that old saying about being careful what you wish for.

    So, there I was thinking that this was the dullest election campaign ever, and wouldn't it be great if something happened to liven it up.

    Nek minnit...

    Knew I shouldn't have been holding the evil three wishes monkey paw when I thought that.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    Graeme: what do you make of ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’ in the circumstances?
    Leaving aside intentionality (I’m very familiar with cameras and radio mics- whatever the balance of probability, if Ambrose sticks to his story (and hasn’t said anything else in the meantime) he has ‘plausible denial’ of it being unintentional) this looks like a critical legal point.
    Clearly there was no expectation of visual privacy. People have spoken of microphones openly pressed to the glass; the bag was in no way concealed; the place itself was open to the public, who were supping close-by. How does this impact on the two holding the conversation having a ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’?
    There was a request for privacy. If it’s correct that it was a request neither the DPS or PM’s minders had any right to enforce, how does hustling the press out play out legally? Did members of the press imply they were consenting to leave by being hustled out? What if Ambrose didn’t consent- is that another potential line of defence?
    Sorry for the ‘ask a lawyer’ barrage :) I wonder too: have the police asked all these questions, and answered them to their satisfaction before proceeding?

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Incoming!

    Key again refused to discuss the contents of the tape with media in Whangarei this morning, repeatedly saying it was a matter for police.

    Asked if he was at war with New Zealand's media, he said: "I don't think that is an accurate description."

    He insisted he was acting on principle. Key would also not respond to a question from TV3 asking if he talked about "getting unbridled power".

    I'm bloody sure I'm on drugs.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • merc, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Good points thanks Rob.
    Also gun smoking, "getting unbridled power".
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5982946/Police-to-serve-search-warrants-over-tea-tape
    That would be an honest Key voter's deal breaker surely?
    (snap Russell).

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

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