New Zealand Deputy PM Criticizes Media for Opinion, Narrative, Agendas, and Click Bait
New Zealand’s mainstream media is facing a crisis of trust as more and more Kiwis turn away from traditional news sources. Winston Peters, the deputy prime minister and leader of the NZ First party, has criticized the media for its opinion-driven narratives, agendas, and reliance on click bait. Peters believes that the media has strayed from its role as an impartial and objective fourth estate, leading to a decline in public trust.
The closure of Newshub, one of New Zealand’s main television channels, has further exacerbated the crisis. Not only will many employees lose their jobs, but the closure also raises concerns about the robustness of the country’s media landscape. Peters emphasizes that a functioning democracy requires an impartial and politically neutral media, but these qualities are lacking in today’s media landscape.
The lack of trust in New Zealand’s media is not surprising to Peters, who claims that the industry has been on a downward trajectory for quite some time. He believes that the media’s increased reliance on opinion, narrative, agendas, and click bait has contributed to this decline in trust. Independent studies support Peters’ claims, showing a decline in the quality of coverage, shorter sound bites, and a negative tone in election reporting.
Auckland University of Technology’s research center for Journalism, Media, and Democracy highlights a steady decline in people’s trust in mainstream sources. The “Trust in News” studies conducted by JMAD reveal that trust has fallen from 53 percent in 2020 to 42 percent in 2023. This erosion of trust is alarming and reflects a growing disillusionment with traditional news outlets.
Peters places part of the blame for this decline in trust on former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her creation of the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF). The PIJF provided $55 million in funding to various media outlets, but Peters argues that the funding came with certain conditions that forced media organizations to promote the government’s narratives. He believes that this compromised the political neutrality and independence of the media, as they were incentivized to align with a specific agenda.
By requiring media organizations to actively promote the principles of partnership and protection under the Treaty of Waitangi, Peters argues that the government was pushing a politically biased agenda. He questions how a politically neutral media can provide balanced commentary and analysis when their survival depends on adhering to a specific narrative. Peters sees this as a “sinister seed” that fosters political bias within the media landscape.
Moreover, Peters claims that the media’s left-wing bias is evident in their selective reporting. He refers to a statement by Mark Jennings, co-editor of Newsroom, where Jennings admitted that some senior heads of the media have discussed whether to report Peters’ views on media bias because they disagree with them. This admission, according to Peters, shows the deep-rooted bias within the media and their belief that they know what is best for New Zealanders.
In conclusion, New Zealand’s mainstream media is facing a crisis of trust as more and more Kiwis lose faith in traditional news sources. Winston Peters has criticized the media for its opinion-driven narratives, agendas, and reliance on click bait, arguing that these factors have compromised the industry’s impartiality and objectivity. Independent studies support Peters’ claims, revealing a decline in the quality of coverage and a negative tone in election reporting. The creation of the Public Interest Journalism Fund has further raised concerns about political bias within the media. Ultimately, these issues highlight the need for a media landscape that is politically neutral, fair, and objective in order to regain public trust and maintain a healthy democracy.
