Red Alert

Politics and the media sideshow

Posted by on June 12th, 2011

Mediawatch this week is worth listening to.

An interview with Lindsay Tanner, former senior Australian politician who recently released a book called Sideshow; dumbing down the media and politics. I wrote a blog post about this a few weeks ago titled The trashing of politics and media which excited some interest.

The classic thing is that last week I participated in such a sideshow by stealing the headlines by wearing a Highlanders top into the Chamber and getting thrown out for not wearing appropriate business attire in the House. I was making a silent statement of support on behalf of an issue my constituents cared about. Its called representation. I didn’t expect to get thrown out. Once I did it became the major story of the day.

I’m not sorry for wearing the rugby shirt or for the resultant publicity. Hard to justify when there are so many other important issues. But that’s the media/politics sideshow. Not blaming the media. That’s the way things are. Have  a listen. It’s good stuff.

A strong, independent public media (including TV) might help provide more balance in the media coverage. If we had one.

Glad we’ve got RadioNZ and Mediawatch though.


10 Responses to “Politics and the media sideshow”

  1. jabba says:

    I for one will be watching the MSM like a hawk this week .. in an objective way of course!!

  2. Spud says:

    You were awesome wearing that top! :-D :-D :-D !

  3. jabba says:

    would have been better Spud, if it was body-paint

  4. gn says:

    “Glad we’ve got RadioNZ and Mediawatch though. ”

    Hell Im glad we have got Whaleoil.

    I am personally aquainted with a couple of the names at that meeting, never thought of them as 2 faced until now. But then the world is a strange place…

  5. Alastair says:

    Not to mention Media 7. But not necessarily for that much longer….

  6. Herodotus says:

    How come as there are far more important issues than your version of Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 68 Mexico, yet this action has resulted in 2 posts in 5 days. For me you are a contributor to what you portray as a dumbing down. Change you actions and be part of the solution not part of the problem.

  7. Graham White says:

    The 35 minute Lindsay Tanner interview on SlowTV is worth viewing:
    http://kurtrudder.blogspot.com/2011/05/sideshow-lindsay-tanner-on-dumbing-down.html

  8. Spud says:

    @jabba – I think Lockwood would’ve had a heart attack!

  9. tracey says:

    heck, no one had a comment???? From any sides???

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