The NZ Herald gave Green MP Benjamin Doyle over 4,000 words of nuanced, sympathetic coverage with expert input, while National MP Hamish Campbell received just 1,300 words, no expert quotes, and a suspicious tone – despite not being accused of wrongdoing. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Issue #95 for 21 April 2025

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7 min read

Same scandal, different script: how the Herald protects one MP and targets another

The NZ Herald gave Green MP Benjamin Doyle 4,000+ words of forensic coverage. Yet, National MP Hamish Campbell got 1,300 words and no expert input.

Doyle’s social media scandal, with no police angle, was softened by cultural context and framed as a moral panic. Campbell’s ties to a sect under FBI/NZ Police investigation were treated suspiciously, despite no wrongdoing by Campbell being alleged.

The MP who posted the content was protected; the MP who didn’t was pursued. Do The Herald’s rules change depending on politics?

4 min read

‘Terrorist tea towel’ remarks are a clumsy culture war tactic

Recently, Shane Jones called the keffiyeh a “terrorist tea towel,” attacking Green MPs for virtue-signalling over Palestine. The phrase, increasingly used on the right by those miffed with pro-Palestinian virtue signalling, now enters Parliament through Jones.

The keffiyah itself is not exclusive to Palestine or Hamas, and saying it represents terrorism is reductive and simplistic. Using such slurs shifts focus from real issues to identity spats. While it may energise some of NZ First’s base, it risks alienating culturally conservative voters.

5 min read

The Press gets curious about Centrist – but misses the mark

The Press profiled Centrist and founder Jim Grenon in a feature by Charlie Mitchell. He gives credit where it’s due but also questions Centrist’s editorial leanings and Grenon’s intentions at NZME. Centrist welcomes scrutiny but challenges assumptions about bias, branding, and independence. This isn’t a rebuttal, but a response, and an invitation to engage seriously with the substance.

4 min read

Thoughts on the “free” government-run school lunch

The school lunch programme faced delays, botched logistics, and intense media coverage over poor execution. How can the government ever win with the current media narrative?

Critics say the state should never have taken over parental responsibility. Polling shows most Kiwis, especially low-income voters, agree. However, the government should at least get some kudos for lowering per-meal costs.

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Issue #95 for 21 April 2025

Same scandal, different script: how the Herald protects one MP and targets another

‘Terrorist tea towel’ remarks are a clumsy culture war tactic

The Press gets curious about Centrist – but misses the mark

Thoughts on the “free” government-run school lunch

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