95bFM: The Wednesday Wire with Paul Deady

The bFM WIRE Today: 12 - 2pm weekdays

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1220 - Tim Murphy (Editor, NZ Herald)

We lead today's show with what has been dominating headlines across the world - the Swine flu pandemic. Some have made it sound like if we step foot outside we're going to catch it, while others are downplaying the situation as simply a time to behave sensibly and take measures you normally would during flu season. But with news this morning that 3 cases from Rangitoto College have been confirmed as swine flu, are we in store for another media circus; dare we say, a sensational media frenzy? At 1220 we talk to Tim Murphy, editor of the New Zealand Herald; the Herald has been one of the forerunners with up-to-the-minute coverage of the pandemic, so how do editorial decisions change in a time like this, and how dangerous is it when media outlets sensationalise a story when they're the ones who ultimately decide what constitutes qualified privilege for the public.

1240 - Clive Matthew-Wilson, Road Safety Strategy

At 1240 we'll be talking road safety - specifically, what's wrong with NZ's current strategy. Last weekend's road toll of 14 was one of the worst in this country's history - prompting Police spokespeople to label our roads the killing fields. Furthermore, Police say road-safety messages about speed are still not getting through to drivers and unless that changes more families will lose loved ones. (Above), editor of The Dog and Lemon Guide which bills itself as a magazine that challenges you to rethink your most basic assumptions about cars and how we use them, has been highly critical of this country's road safety campaigns, and says the ANZAC road toll should be a wake-up call for the government to shift away from targeting all drivers, to instead targeting those most likely to cause accidents.

1300 - Medicinal THC - Chris Fowlie NORML

Talking the ganj at one, when I'll be joined by the president of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Chris Fowlie. Back in 2006, they presented a petition requesting that Parliament urgently consider changing the law to allow individuals to obtain, possess and use cannabis to treat serious medical conditions when this has been endorsed by their registered medical practitioner. Well, the Health Committee has now reported back on the petition. They're not endorsing the use of medicinal marijuana as such, instead recommending that THC-based medicines be listed under the Medicines Act, making them easier to prescribe. As idiot savant noted over at the no right turn blog, the report will likely be jumped on by anti-drug wing-nuts, but shouldn't be: "we're happy to use opiates as medicines, despite the fact that they also have recreational uses. Why shouldn't we also use THC if it has proven medical benefits?" Indeed.

1320 - Counterclockwise

Selwyn Manning from the team at scoop joins us at 1320 for another edition of counterclockwise. Today, we'll be looking at the race for the Helen Clark's vacated Mt Albert seat. Labour's been campaigning hard, but without a candidate; the Greens are giving it their all with Russell Norman putting his hand up; and the Nats are playing the underdog card at every step. It's been a while since we've had a good old by-election, and I'm sure Sewlyn's keen to get stuck in! 

1340 - Sigrid Shayer (Chairperson, The Tree Council)

Auckland's trees have a new, more dangerous threat now besides high winds and stormy weather; the Resource Management Act (Simplifying and Streamlining) Bill will allow any tree not in a reserve or listed in a district plan schedule to be cut down. That may be good news for homeowners, who have found it expensive and difficult to cut down unimportant trees on their property, but changing the law also means that trees in 700 of the 800 parks in Auckland will not protected, and up for the mass chop. No pun intended.
At 1340 we talk to Chairperson of The Tree Council Sigrid Shayer - The Tree Council made one of 100 oral submissions against these changes at yesterday's meeting with The Local Government and Environment Select Committee to halt the sweeping environmental changes: many believe that regional councils should be responsible for what trees can and cannot be removed, but only six out of Auckland's seven council have those rules.

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