Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Saying Goodbye to The Independent

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  • Graeme Edgeler,

    It's a pity the valedictory editorial wasn't edited.

    The verb form of injunction is enjoin.
    [a point I made way back here :-) ]

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

  • Jeremy Eade,

    In the end its death was its depence on the scarce ad dollar.

    Berryman sounds like a fascinating guy.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • ChrisW,

    In the end its death was its depence on the scarce ad dollar.

    But surely, look after depence, ad dollars look after themselves?

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    Sean Plunkett's just resigned from RNZ. It'll be interesting to see who replaces him on Morning Report.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Chris Trotter, whose politics were rather different to those of the editors, was a longtime columnist.

    And who couldn't love Trotter's terse reply to being asked why he was sleeping with the enemy: "They pay well, and I'm allowed to write what I want." Still, having flicked through his Indie columns -- and contrasted them with his more recent essays in red-flag red-neckery -- I've got to wonder if Berryman was something of a moderating influence. (After all, a good editor can think the argument of a column is utter crap but still make it the very best crap it can be.)

    While Berryman deserves all the praise he gets for being a tell-the-truth-and-shame-the-devil investigative journo, his ability to detect and encourage talent can get lost.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Young,

    For once, I tend to agree with my namesake. Trotter is to the New Zealand left what the doddering entourage of Daily Telegraph sock con hacks who attack the Cameron administration are to the UK centre-right. He's strategically challenged and clueless.

    There are times when I want to strangle him for his sheer utter quasi-marxoid fundamentalism and sectarianism. When you think about it, who better than to have as a 'left' commentator in a business periodical? Damn, I miss Bruce Jesson...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 573 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Sean Plunkett's just resigned from RNZ.

    Oh, really! Who is he off to bully and badger now?

    There is that R. Brown fellow who could do great things on Morning Report.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Sounds like a bloody awful job to me.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    There are times when I want to strangle him for his sheer utter quasi-marxoid fundamentalism and sectarianism. When you think about it, who better than to have as a 'left' commentator in a business periodical? Damn, I miss Bruce Jesson...

    Am I not the only one to be reminded of the Peoples' Front of Judea?

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Oh, really! Who is he off to bully and badger now?

    Well, Geoff, I've often said there's two Plunkets. The 'Too Much Coffee Too Early In The Morning' One who does "bully and badger" until I want to stick a pencil in my ears to make the pain stop. (Though I'm sure Checkpoint's Mary Wilson is going to continue the fine tradition of playing merry hell with my blood pressure with leading questions, editorialising and feral cluelessness where she doesn't get that barking the same question half-a-dozen times isn't going to elicit the desired response.)

    But let's also give due credit to the Good Sean who let David Benson-Pope hang himself with a lethally sharp follow up to an outburst of accidental candour. That was a master-class in how good a tough interview can be when the interviewer is paying attention rather than just waiting for his turn to talk.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Thank goodness a new post that gives us something new to talk about other than " hands caught in the jam jar" pollies

    Or to take a meme common here "clean cut pollies who are being smeared" but have trouble remembering their own credit cards when they leave home

    I look forward to the"war stories"

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    It's possible for pollies to both misbehave and be smeared at the same time. I too welcome more topics more often - and I take it you're not a football fanatic either, Raymond.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    I agree with you, Craig. I think they need to find a a replacement Good Sean as Geoff Robinson is often just too Mr Softy-Pants. Might be good to have a stroppy woman there for a change.

    Oh, will this end-of-semester essay marking ever end...!!!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • BlairMacca,

    While I hate Plunkett's badgering sometimes, he is one of the only interviewers in NZ who can hold politicians to task. Hence why John Key refuses to be interviewed on Morning report

    Wellington • Since Apr 2007 • 208 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Might be good to have a stroppy woman there for a change.

    Kim Hill or Kath Ryan are the most obvious candidates.
    Linda Clark is now with a law firm. Maggie Barry's about as hardline as Geoff Robinson.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    (Though I'm sure Checkpoint's Mary Wilson is going to continue the fine tradition of playing merry hell with my blood pressure with leading questions, editorialising and feral cluelessness where she doesn't get that barking the same question half-a-dozen times isn't going to elicit the desired response.)

    I'm a fan. She generally asks the right questions, and sometimes it is necessary for an interviewer to repeatedly ask a question that's not being answered.

    Chris Finlayson was using a media-training standby yesterday -- just ploughing on through his prepared line as a means of avoiding having to answer questions he didn't want to answer about the F&S deal -- and she kept right on him. That was good work.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Yes, Wilson would be the perfect replacement for Plunket were it not for the fact that she's needed where she is.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Yes, Wilson would be the perfect replacement for Plunket were it not for the fact that she's needed where she is.

    I like her too. And I can't think of anyone else.
    But if she's that grumpy at 5pm, at 6am she'll be strangling puppies and electrocuting bunnies between questions :)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    But if she's that grumpy at 5pm, at 6am she'll be strangling puppies and electrocuting bunnies between questions :)

    As long as some of the more difficult interviewees know this before they take the air, I don't see what the problem is (except for the puppies and bunnies obviously).

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Kim Sokolich,

    I like her too. And I can't think of anyone else.
    But if she's that grumpy at 5pm, at 6am she'll be strangling puppies and electrocuting bunnies between questions :)

    ROFL

    Whilst I take Russell's point that she's good a repeatedly asking the question, sometimes they have already answered the bloody question just not in the way that she wants them too. So I find myself agreeing with Craig R. She annoys the crap out of me.

    Since Oct 2008 • 47 posts Report Reply

  • Raymond A Francis,

    I like Mary too but then I like stroppy women
    She has a way of just boring into the truth as does Sean
    We need these people asking the hard questions for us

    And yes you are correct Sacha; a month of football or even rugby is way too much for me. I am tuning out till the semi-finals in both

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    That seems a pretty sure way of tuning out New Zealand's participation in the cup. To me I confess the early stage is always the most exciting part. Everyone's in it, you get to discover new players and often to watch the best football.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    To me I confess the early stage is always the most exciting part. Everyone's in it, you get to discover new players and often to watch the best football.

    South Korea played the most interesting football I've seen in this tournament so far. Precise, lightfooted, and assured.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Aargh, this has turned into a sports thread too

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Join us, Sacha. Jooooooooooooooin usssssssssss...

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

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