Pathetic.
The biggest non-story story on New Zealand Herald appeared on its website this afternoon.
The paper 'discovered' that the "happy family" in Labour party pamphlet on 2008 budget is actually an American family, and the photo was purchased from a stock photo website for $20.
What a big news.
I really cannot see what's the problem here. Every media, including those published by APN use "seems to be relevant" stock photos to fill up spaces, what they gonna say about this?
From the reported "news", I also cannot see where the pamphlet claims the family in photo is a "New Zealand family". I mean, does it have to be a New Zealand family? Can the photo be used in manner that is telling us:"that's how we are going to be"?
New Zealand Herald's news standard is in fast decline. The most respected newspaper in New Zealand has now become some kind of anti-labour propaganda machine.
Is this kind of 'news' newsworthy? Possibly, but it's tabloids and bloggers' job to report those stuffs. I didn't expect it to appear on Herald's website as a major headline(sideswipe may be fine).
We are all frastrated with the Labour government, but this kind of political biased, desperate political bashing is just pathetic and disgusting.
I'm now really worried that those right wing news media would become "Minitrue" type of propaganda machine like CCTV in China or FOX in States once the National is in power.
Aiya, sometimes I'm really glad I live in Beijing and therefore don't have to deal directly with the childish mess that is NZ politics... And then I open the NZ Herald and read all about it.... It really is pathetic, and the Herald does seem to be getting worse and worse.
Well, if the Herald is going to become NZ's CCTV, perhaps we should persuade 南方报业 to set up a NZ paper?
Nah, 南方报业 won't work here. keep in mind that all Chinese media, including those "liberal" ones like 南方报业 or new Beijing times are directly controlled by the local communist party.
For both N.Z. and China, I have high expectations on internet "new media" and Citizen journalism in blogs.