Casualties of 2017 NZ Election:- Ethics and Credibility of Some Mainstream Media and their Journalists

Thakur Ranjit Singh

A free, independent, impartial and neutral media is the last bastion of democracy – it is the fourth pillar, joining Legislature, Judiciary and Executive in building a robust democracy.

That is why media is called the FOURTH ESTATE.

A big danger to this fourth estate is NOT from outside but from WITHIN, by slanted and skewed opinionated reporting.

A similar thing happened in Fiji after 1999 election, resulting in destabilisation of a democratically elected government.

Such signs are appearing within sections of New Zealand media after Labour and its coalition came to power after 2017 election.

People know who the journalist are, which the media organisations are – but as in case of revelations by “Dirty Politics” in 2014 election, there appears to be a deafening silence. Nobody seems to notice signs of early corrosion in the Fourth pillar.

Perhaps, among others, that is one reason why the Commerce Commission is opposing a merger of NZME (owners of NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB) with Fairfax (Stuff) as this would produce a virtual monopoly in news and cut quality…..We already seem to be experiencing this degeneration…Please read on..

Sensational,, partisan and irresponsible media agitation and reporting against People's Coalition Government in Fiji, in part, led to its demise. Ironically media is supposed be the Fourth Pillar of democracy -it should support it, and not lead to its fall. Sections of New Zealand media has already started this sort of partisan, biased and sensational reporting against the new coalition government led by Labour. Hope common sense prevails and media of a First World Country stops stooping to what we experienced in Fiji.

I had a feeling of Déjà vu when I saw some New Zealand mainstream journalists crying into their pillows that the National Party failed to get back in. This was after Winston Peters decided to go with the Labour Party.

When National got into power in 2014 and previous terms under the MMP system, this system then was perceived and considered as a robust and suitable system for our country.

No sooner had Labour come into power in 2017 with their coalition partners, than the same MMP became a defective monster for some National supporters and sections of supposedly neutral and impartial New Zealand media.

A similar thing occurred in Fiji in 1987. Under 1970 Constitution, Fiji’s first Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s Alliance Party won successive elections for seventeen years from 1970 to 1987. As soon as they lost power to Dr Timoci Bavadra in 1987, (which resulted in Rabuka's coup) the hitherto suitable Constitution all a sudden became defective, and they claimed it failed to safeguard interests of indigenous Fijians or democracy, which it appeared to have done under Mara’s rule. This was acceptable as long the as Ratu Mara’s Alliance won the election.

Same has happened here in New Zealand, and I feel I have been in this situation before, hence the feeling of Déjà vu I spoke about earlier.

A free, neutral, impartial and respectable media is supposed to be a Watchdog of a robust democracy. Once it degenerates into a Lapdog, democracy is threatened. Hope this is not allowed to happen here.

Certain mainstream journalists (Radio, Print, TV, and Social Media) have been using (read abusing) the platform of national mainstream media for their septic, jaundiced, personal and blatant partisan weeping for the National Party. They seem to regard themselves as Little Gods in media. They need to come down to earth, and decide whether they are impartial and neutral journalist to occupy influential media positions. Or should we regard them as public relations arm of the National Party, masquerading as journalists on the mainstream media. 

They have tarnished the status of a respectable Fourth Estate. Their employers need to decide whether they suit their position of responsibility, trust and neutrality. This is because they abuse their positions in media with their partisan diatribe criticising and blatantly running down the new government even before it has been sworn-in. 

It appears, apart from the right wing political parties, the biggest casualty of this election is the mainstream media's ethics of impartiality and neutrality. The blatant media wailing, show of naked partisan and animosity towards the new government is a matter of concern for those who respect freedom of speech, decorum, demeanour, the ethics and good practices associated with the Fourth Estate. This refers to the 4th pillar of democracy - a free respectable media. This comes after Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. A free, neutral and impartial media is essential for a flourishing democracy.

A free impartial media is referred to as the Fourth Estate - the fourth pillar supporting democracy, in addition to Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. A country with such unbiased and neutral media is a blessing to democracy. The question we need to ask in New Zealand is whether all our journalists in influential positions in the mainstream media can honestly pass a test of impartiality , neutrality and credibility?

What is a grave matter of concern is not that this blatant abuse has occurred. What concerns me is the deafening silence from those who should care. Where are the analytical, responsible and conscientious journalist who need to stand up to corruption and humiliation of their proud profession?

Where are the guardians of a free and responsible media? Where are the scholars and professors from media schools who need to oversee what they teach in media schools as gospels are really followed by senior and influential journalists in the field? Should not they defend the fundamentals of media ethics? 

Where are those from AUT’s media school where I studied journalism? Why does it take an ethnic person from a Third World Fiji to see what New Zealand journalists and related organisations are blind to?

When Fiji imposed media controls because journalists with similar behaviour were fanning racial divisions in a fragile democracy, certain banned journalist from New Zealand were critical of Fiji, lecturing them of media responsibility. 

Now, where are they when we need their sharp judgement? Cannot they detect this scandal in their backyard where some highly paid influential journalists appear to have taken the role of pseudo opposition party, acting as mouthpiece of National Party, disguised as journalists?

I am reminded of the Irish statesman, Edmund Burke’s famous quotation: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.

So, I am calling on the good journalist to stand up to this triumph of bad journalism in New Zealand. 

A responsible, free and non-partisan media is the last bastion of democracy. I know this well. In 2010, my research thesis for Masters in Communication Studies at Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) media school was on such a topic. My research thesis was on the role of a Fiji media in bringing instability to a new Government in Fiji. It was titled: The 2000 Speight coup in Fiji: The role of “The Fiji Times” leading to political instability. 

What we learn from history is that we do not learn anything from history. This author's Masters in Communication (MCS) research at Auckland University of Technology's (AUT) media school on Speight's coup in Fiji in 2000, showed, that in part, media's (The Fiji Times") biased and sensational reporting led to fall of a democratically -elected government. Hence, it is our duty to safeguard that in New Zealand. A deafening silence  on erosion of media ethics here is very worrying.

My findings revealed that a partisan news media, and its negative portrayal of a new government can lead to a danger to democracy, cause instability and even lead to attempted coup, as in case of Fiji.

In the 2017 election, National Party lost power.

But the bigger loss is assault on the proud New Zealand’s Fourth Estate by those who need to stand up to protect it.

Let’s do that – lets protect media credibility in New Zealand to safeguard our healthy and strong democracy.


[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a post graduate scholar in honours in journalism from AUT, is a media commentator and political observer. He runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT, and lives in Auckland, New Zealand.]

Diwali Night 2017 delivers Goddess of Prosperity and Hope for New Zealand.

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Jacinda Ardern was officially sworn in as New Zealand’s first Millennial Prime Minister (today),on 26 October 2017, together with her coalition Cabinet. 

In fact FIJI PUNDIT has been predicting since August this year that through Hail Mary Pass, she will be the next Prime Minister. And this prophecy became reality.

And this blessing was given to us on Diwali night. That was a great and auspicious omen, when an incarnation of Goddess of Prosperity, Wealth and Hope for vulnerable people was delivered to us. 

This was when Winston Peters chose to go with Labour/Greens/NZ First Coalition. Article below maps out the blessings on Diwali night in response to our prayers for some saviour to be delivered for poorer New Zealanders.

And Jacinda Ardern is the answer to those prayers…………read further


Diwali day on 19 October, 2017, dawned as a clear, bright and very pleasant one. This was unique after having weeks of lousy weather. There was no sign of clouds anywhere. It developed into a bright, warm and clear crisp day. It was forerunner to good things to come - a good omen. There were two important events. 

The first was the celebration of light over darkness, of life over death, of victory over evil and of compassion and love over greed and self-interest. Yes, in a rounded way, that is the theme of Diwali - and it was Diwali Day.

The second was Karma. This refers to cause and effect. Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering. And that is exactly what happened.

Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. It was very symbolic for her to have taken entry as future Prime Minster at the moment many Hindus were praying on Diwali to Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity and Hope, Lakshmi Mata, to shower her blessings. And that She did, giving a leader with a heart for the vulnerable people of the country.

This was the day when Winston Peters would choose the government that would run the country for the next three years. Would it be a bunch of those who ruled for the elites and took all opportunities to discredit, humiliate and ridicule him? Or would he support a new millennial leader who gave him the respect he deserves, and a compassionate lot who have a heart for the vulnerable, downtrodden and the underclass?

That was a million dollar question. But FIJI PUNDIT had already predicted that Peters entered this labyrinth, this maze of election (Chakravyuh), campaigning on change, and unless he brought change, his political future and personal credibility would be in jeopardy.

As I was getting ready for Diwali Pooja at about 6pm when Winston was expected to announce his verdict, I was called by Shalen Shandil of Radio Tarana and had Indian Newslink editor, Venkat Raman on the other line. Both of us were election commentators and observers at Radio Tarana’s Facebook live streaming and live radio broadcast on Election Day on 23 September, 2017.

While the result of the night was not decisive, Bill English, however had premature jubilation of victory before MMP was allowed the final leg of the journey to reach the finish line. On election night, I took solace from morale of Bhagavad Gita, which says, what is happening is good and what will happen will be good. And both of us, the veteran Raman on NZ politics and his disciple, yours truly Thakur predicted that Winston will choose left – the Labour.

Diwali celebrations at Hardip Singh's place, in Henderson, just down the road from Minister Phil Twyfords Electorate Office. As a Labour supporter, Hardip and his family were jubilant on Diwali night when Jacinda and Labour were chosen by Peters. Family and friends of all races shared in the joy and good news. He concurred that Diwali night 2017 heralded good news for the suffering poorer people  where a saviour has incarnated to spread the economic cake at all levels, not only favouring he elites and  the rich people, as the past Government did.

And I went to my Lakshmi Pooja at 6.30pm and was engrossed in prayers, unaware that as I had prayed to Lakshmi Mata-the mother of wealth and prosperity for better fortunes for all of us –she did listen to us, and we were delivered an incarnation of that goddess of wealth and prosperity for all the people of Fiji. It is a good omen as it happened almost as I poured offerings on the holy fire, seeking us to be rescued from the darkness of nine years. 

While the country may have done well economically, however those economic benefit failed to reach all the people as inequality, poverty, homelessness and mental sickness, among others, increased. Almighty did listen. We were delivered incarnation of hope, light, victory, compassion and prosperity for all the people of New Zealand-not just the elite. And that hope came from what may be likened to incarnation of goddess of prosperity - Jacinda Ardern.

Earlier, I had written my thoughts on my Facebook posting about the wrath of Karma and Winston’s choice. They say, Karma is a bitch.

And it showed its bitchiness in the final choice that Winston Peters made.

Another Labour supporter of West Auckland, Chandrika (and Nina) Prasad of Glendene, also decorated their house in anticipation of the good news. The "Welcome" sign was meant for the Goddess of hope and prosperity to enter and bless the house. The news of new government formation was seen as a good omen 

While his (Winston Peters') European blood in him urged him to click right to support a party working for the rich, interests of largely businesses, the affluent and white people, his Maori ancestor genes urged their son from North to click left, to right the wrongs on forgotten people of his homeland. That we call the cry of the ancestral blood-Peters had to listen to the cries of his tribe who have become an underclass in the country of their ancestors.

This was reflected in his criticism of face of Capitalism speech where the system appeared to have worked for the rich middle and upper-class under the roost of National government, and the beneficiaries of National’s neo-liberal policies that favoured the likes of those residing in Parnell, Remuera and Newmarket. 

And as FIJI PUNDIT had predicted, he clicked left, and sided with Labour. 

And there is a message to the Pundits of Doomsday, who show negativity and predict the new government would not last.

Jacinda Ardern is the age of my daughter. Any father with pride in the new generation (millennial) will hold her hand with pride to reach pinnacle of success in politics to serve her people - all people of New Zealand.

And those wishing to ridicule this coalition on Facebook with Peters and Ardern as bride and groom, no they are not wedded.

Yours truly, Thakur, FIJI PUNDIT was in prayers on Diwali night, when the decision of Winston Peters was announced. It heralded the "incarnation of Goddess of Hope and Prosperity" for people of New Zealand. Coming on Diwali night was very symbolic. Here FIJI PUNDIT is seen blessing the new Government. He had already prophesied months earlier that Winston would choose Ardern , who will be the first Prime Minister of the new generation (millennial). That has now become a reality.

Winston Peters is her mentor. As a statesman and a father-figure, he will hold her fingers and show her the path to prosperity of New Zealand – and all New Zealanders and not only the rich elite class.

And that is the blessings that Diwali Day 2017 showered and ushered on Aotearoa.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a media commentator and political observer. He runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT, and lives in Auckland, New Zealand.]

AUCKLAND COUNCIL: THE BLOOD-SUCKING DRACULA THAT NEEDS TO BE STAKED

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Contrary to initial optimism, Auckland Super City appears to have degenerated into an uncontrollable Frankenstein Monster- and a blood-sucking Dracula. Here, the elected representatives have been forced to abdicate their powers. Shots are called by the so called Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and overpaid unelected bureaucrats. It is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. 

Rodney Hide created a monster, which has become a Dracula, sucking our blood. It needs to be staked to save us. Did Super city achieve economies of scale? Did we have reduced staff? Have wages deceased? Have services improved? Has borrowing reduced? Has spending reduced? What has Super City achieved? Isn't it time we killed this creature?

We have had so many complaints going to deaf ears. People took consolation from the fact that Mayor, Phil Goff would make a difference. Disappointingly, it appears he himself is intrigued by this monster and remains uninformed. 

NZ Herald of 5 October, 2017 made shocking reading:

One in five staff at Auckland Council is earning more than $100,000 as the wages bill for the Super City blows out for the third year in a row.

………..number of executives earning more than $200,000 has increased by 25 per cent in the past year, from 155 to 194….

 The council and its six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) employ 11,893 staff, of whom 2322 earn more than $100,000.

Brisbane City Council - often compared to Auckland Council - employs about 8000 staff, of whom 149 earn more than A$100,000.

 The advice I gave to Andrew Little when he took over from David Cunliffe was to remove dead-wood and ineffective Labour management team that had led to fall of their previous leaders. Unfortunately, he ignored it at his peril.

I have a feeling of déjà vu when giving a similar advice to Mayor Goff, a former Labour leader: Please clean up the mess you have inherited - please remove (read sack) the CEO and let him sign his redundancy cheque. 

Economies of scale, staff and salaries reduction, as aimed by a Super City has not been achieved. Almost 40 staff are paid over $300,000. At the same time, a city equal to, or larger than us, BRISBANE, has much fewer staff as well as only 149 paid above $100,000 compared to 2322 of ours. tHIS TABLE IS THREE YEARS OLD. This table shows how out of control Auckland Council's pay has become. There has to to be a rethink of our pay-structure.

CEO is ultimately responsible for the lackadaisical performance, neglect of duties and busloads of ratepayer dissatisfaction. 

As a former Director Administration and Operations at Suva City Council (second to CEO) I am bewildered by lack of accountability, dereliction of duties, shoddy communication channels, sloppy financial discipline and abdication of power by the elected Councillors to bureaucrats who have overpaid themselves.

People who voted in Mayor Phil Goff were optimistic that he will make a difference. He seems not to know what is happening, and seems to be informed about dysfunction in the Council via media. This author's experience at Suva City Council shows that heads would have rolled if such dereliction of duties of the CEO and Mayor were seen in a Third World Fiji. We all are shocked and throughly disappointed. 

Auckland Council needs to learn protocols and managerial discipline from Suva City, a Third World Local government. Our CEO and Council Staff held the elected Councillors in high esteem, even feared them. The Mayor, CEO, Senior Executives and all relevant parties were in constant touch, operated on same frequency and were always well-informed. We were modestly paid, in fact lower than private sector. Our Councillors received minimal per Diem, but were always in control. They held CEO (and staff) and the Mayor accountable. And the CEO kept the Mayor continuously informed. Most important, we diligently practiced financial discipline – and respected ratepayer money.

Those in the ivory tower need to come down to earth to see how we ratepayers feel about an out-of control Auckland Council.  It is time for ratepayers to call for action from Government to make Auckland Council more accountable to its ratepayers. Perhaps time has come for Government to review operations, effectiveness and efficiency of Auckland Council. Wonder if the Minister at all knows what is happening.

Auckland Council need to learn from Fijians. Do we have effective Human Resources, Finance and other relevant committees? And do the Councillors in relevant Committees know what is going on? Why we have such a big mess? Why deviation from budgets and objectives? Do they have one-to -one weekly or monthly meetings with CEO and Mayor to ensure things are moving according to budget, plans, and objectives? Do we have credible and effective communication channels?

This article is not written by an over-paid Council’ communication staff or a consultant. This is done by a migrant who was rejected to add colour to Council’s Communications department. Why the Mayor learns about Council dysfunction from the media? And who advised the Mayor that the past flooding in New Lynn was due to global warming? You need not be a rocket scientist to know if a month’s rain fell in one hour, no Council reticulation system can handle this Act of God. It seems I need to hold a training session for Council’s wanting Communication department!

Weekend Herald (7.10.17) tells of blatant mismanagement of senior management pay, spiraling out of control. In three years to 2017, we saw 25 % increase in Auckland Council, 21.5% in Auckland Transport and eye-watering 89% in ATEED. This was when inflation was running below 2%. Heads would have rolled if this had happened in Suva.

In contrast, the biggest saving of 20% was made by Watercare, which is headed by a migrant Fijian, Raveen Jaduram. It shows the benefits of employing people with wider international exposure from Third World Countries. They value limited resources, have tendency to be miser and possess better appreciation of other people’s money. This can only happen in an environment where cronies, people from old school-boys club, political connections and other social contacts do not access rear entry to executive, boards and other key positions. Unfortunately, migrants lack opportunities of such backdoor entries.

Auckland Council is still considered a white institution, The Mayor agrees that some 40% of Aucklanders are born outside of Auckland. Is this reflected in either the makeup of the Governing body of its staff make-up? Statistics speak quite the opposite. Wonder how many in this picture represent those 40%!

NZ Herald recently reported on the colour of the Council - it is still very White. And there is no ethnic or brown (read Maori) executive up to second tier of the whole organisation. Ironically Mayor Goff admitted in Q+ A (8.10.17) that 40 per cent of Aucklanders are born out of New Zealand. I wonder whether that is reflected in the makeup of the Council and its staffing.

SUGGESTED REMEDIAL ACTION:

• Remove CEO for lack of performance. 
• Give powers back to elected representatives.
• Freeze pay and staff-intake
• Undertake staffing and pay structure, in line with similar overseas comparatives. (Brisbane)
• Terminate contract of top executives, to re-apply. 
• Review internal reporting, communication channels and financial discipline.
• Set up proper measurable KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), linking pay increases against stringent measures.

Failing this, the Government should institute Section 10 of Local Government Act 2002, and seek Ministerial invention, even to appoint Crown Review Team or Manager. 

Please new Minister for Local Government-tell your officers to brush up Section 10 of Local Government Act 2002, and put up a case to you why you should not call up Auckland Council to provide special answers from concerned ratepayers. Fijians are now ridiculing this First World Local government to learn accountability and financial discipline from Suva City Council. Please stake this Dracula-Auckland Council, before it sucks more of our blood.

We ratepayers are fed up. We call the Government to put a stake through the heart of this Dracula, created by Rodney Hide. It has grown too fat, gone out of control, and is fast sucking our blood.

Please Minister, please Prime Minister, free us from this misery!

[Thakur Ranjit Singh is a political observer, a media commentator and journalist. He runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT, and lives in Auckland]