While in the throes of procrastination I found TV3’s election site Decision 08. Here is a screenshot I took of the site. This has not been edited, photoshopped, MS Paint altered or taken out of context.
One has to wonder about MediaWorks decision to run political party advertising at all. Let alone on the election part of their website.
Possible discussion had by the MediaWorks Advertising team:
Scene:
Generic open plan office space with general office hubbub happening.
Phone rings. Brief chatter of Person A on the phone.
Person A (yells across the office): “Hey, some guy from Labour just called up wanting to know if they could advertise on the election site. What should I tell him?”
Person B (fiddling with a rubix cube): “Ummmm. Who’re Labour? Some Womens’ rights movement advocating for safer childbirth practises or sumthin?”
Person A (cups hand over receiver): “Na I think they’re some sort events management company. The guy said something about parties.”
Person C (Sits up and takes notice): “Cool! See if they can do some contra for us! I’m in the mood for a party. Do they do fancy dress?
Person A: “Hold on I’ll check…”
(uncups receiver)
“Hey yeaah. I’ve talked to the team about it. We just want to know if you can throw in any contra, and if you do fancy dress…. ah huh… oh… OK… yeah… Right… I getcha… Oh… hahaha… silly me.”
(re-cups receiver)
“Na apparently they’re a non-profit organisation that hopes to make New Zealand a better place to live by advocating left wing socialist policies and Keynesian economic management… Whatever that means.”
All three break up into a fit of laughter.
Person B: “Sure why not… standard rates apply. We’re not cutting them any deals just because they’re non-profit.”
Person C: “Make sure you get some contra out of them!”
END
TVNZ’s websiteis not playing host to any political advertising. Neither are Prime or Sky TV. One would hope that a media company would remain politically neutral even with it’s choice in advertising. Are we seeing a Rupert Murdoch type switcheroo to the Labour party by Can West? Who knows… I just expected more from them I guess.
I know that objectivity in the media is a lie. But the above image is truly demoralising. People go to the TV3 website in the hope of finding something at least slightly impartial. They go look up the Libertarianz page and what do they see but photoshopped Helen gazing down upon them. Straight toothed smile glistening with hope. Rosey cheeks promising good times to come. How could anyone resist…