Anderton on Henry

“Absolutely disgraceful and unacceptable” was the reaction today of Jim Anderton, M P for Wigram and Leader of the Progressive Party, to the questions asked of Prime Minister John Key by broadcaster Paul Henry regarding the credentials of the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand.

“Henry is known for regularly putting his foot in his mouth, obviously in a way calculated to offend because it earns him a degree of notoriety, but this time he has stepped well beyond the bounds of all reason. If his question was an ingenuous one then obviously he has a very narrow view, to put it mildly, about what it is that characterises a New Zealander. I wonder in that case, what he is doing as a current affairs interviewer on TVNZ,” Jim Anderton said.

“If, on the other hand, he was cynically seeking to stir up a storm – which I believe was more likely the case – then he similarly has no place in quality journalism or broadcasting. This is the sort of tabloid approach to current affairs that we can well do without. He must surely be well aware that whether or not he believes such insulting nonsense when he spouts it, this sort of utterance gives comfort to every intolerant bigot or racist in the country.

“Either way he should be subject to the strongest possible admonishment by the state broadcaster.

“I have been disappointed by the reaction of TVNZ so far in, unbelievably, trying to justify Mr Henry’s utterances on the grounds that he is merely articulating a feeling in the community which others are reluctant to express. There may be such people, although I trust they are few, but Mr Henry is under no obligation to speak for them any more than he is obligated to speak up for anti- Semites of whom we undoubtedly also have a few in this country. On the contrary, as a responsible broadcaster he has an obligation to ensure that views of this sort are not given an airing.

“I am also disappointed at the failure of John Key to respond strongly and instantly to put Mr Henry firmly in his place. To be fair, John Key may have been rendered speechless by Henry’s views, which were breath-taking in their complete unacceptability, but he has had ample opportunity since, to speak up on behalf of the Governor-General and all decent New Zealanders. In my view, it is a failure of leadership not to have done so,” Jim Anderton said.

www.progressiveparty.org.nz

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