The state broadcaster published a tribute to the Midday Report presenter but didn’t go into the circumstances of her departure.
For that, you had to read her exit interview with the New Zealand Herald, in which she made it clear that she quit after being passed over for “the top job” – an obvious reference to the co-presenter’s chair on RNZ’s flagship programme, Morning Report. "When you don't get the top job," she's quoted as saying, "it's time to go elsewhere."
I speculated on this blog in December that Dunlop was a prime contender for the Morning Report position after Susie Ferguson quit mid-year. I acknowledged that Dunlop ticked a lot of boxes (capable, young-ish and Maori) but I also said it would be wrong to appoint her.
That’s because she’s the fiancée of a cabinet minister, Kiri Allan. Even if Dunlop bent over backwards to be fair and neutral as a presenter and interviewer, the programme’s credibility would be compromised by the public knowledge that she was the partner of a senior government politician, especially in an election year.
In the event, RNZ surprised everyone by making an appointment from outside the organisation: former TV journalist Ingrid Hipkiss. She’s expected to join Corin Dann on the show this month.
We don’t know whether Dunlop was passed over because of her relationship with Allan, but I think RNZ made the right decision. To appoint her would have been provocative, at the very least.
Suspicion of mainstream media bias is rampant enough already. Trust in RNZ, which as a publicly owned broadcaster has a special obligation to be even-handed, would have been further undermined.
That’s because she’s the fiancée of a cabinet minister, Kiri Allan. Even if Dunlop bent over backwards to be fair and neutral as a presenter and interviewer, the programme’s credibility would be compromised by the public knowledge that she was the partner of a senior government politician, especially in an election year.
In the event, RNZ surprised everyone by making an appointment from outside the organisation: former TV journalist Ingrid Hipkiss. She’s expected to join Corin Dann on the show this month.
We don’t know whether Dunlop was passed over because of her relationship with Allan, but I think RNZ made the right decision. To appoint her would have been provocative, at the very least.
Suspicion of mainstream media bias is rampant enough already. Trust in RNZ, which as a publicly owned broadcaster has a special obligation to be even-handed, would have been further undermined.
There was a hint of bitterness in Dunlop’s parting remarks to the Herald and a cryptic reference to haters. “To the haters, and there’s plenty of them, come on the journey,” Dunlop is quoted as saying. Who the supposed haters are wasn’t explained.
Dunlop said she had no idea what she would do next and would be taking her time to decide.
Karl du Fresne, a freelance journalist, is the former editor of The Dominion newspaper. He blogs at karldufresne.blogspot.co.nz.
Dunlop said she had no idea what she would do next and would be taking her time to decide.
Karl du Fresne, a freelance journalist, is the former editor of The Dominion newspaper. He blogs at karldufresne.blogspot.co.nz.
4 comments:
Mani is clearly a person of no mean ability. But she seemed incapable of divorcing from her overwhelming pro maori bias. She has interviewed (and possibly organised same) many prominent and not prominent maori, most with a strong activist streak. She never challenges the current maori line however obviously flawed, and greatly encouraged and frequently led interviewees. No voices from the contrary camp were heard. Also had an irritating habit, presumably from the marae, of confirming and encouraging with mmm,mmm,mmm. We still have Julian Wilcox babbling te reo and hyenically giggling his way through Saturday Midday as he similarly leads often maori nobodies. And Nathan Rahere in the early mornings is still struggling with educated English. Perhaps RNZ is starting to realise that the huge pro maori element and bias is contributing to the falling listeners.
Inherited from somewhere, Mani clearly has some above average genes. Sadly seem unlikely to be passed on.
I suppose because I am not a totally converted uncritical fan, I am classified with the haters.
I reckon Kiri Allan has now opened her mouth before engaging what little brain she has by critisising RNZ treatment of maori reporters. She, like Marama Davidson should be on her way out the door. It does not matter what the event, she is still a senior minister and should know when to keep her mouth shut, but being one of the maori caucus first fifteen just couldn't resist playing the race card.With the debacle of out of control MPs Hipkins should very soon follow. The racism and contempt for the electorate by government ministers is becoming more obvious by the day. Any hint of leadership has been getting worse over the labour/green cult's term in government to the stage where it is now non-existent.
This bunch of numpties in power at the moment are making the country look like a real basket case.
Shame. No other way of putting it Mani and Kiri, kind of doesn't feel the same now. Be a good player. life has already given you opportunities that many just dream of and you mar it with a sour note. I bet you'd wish they hadn't. Cringy.
By the way I really don't want to be forced and coerced onto your Waka. I don't mind getting in for a wee paddle if invited. But too many times discouraged and embarrassed for trying.
I'm glad she's gone. Her constant use of Maori infuriated me. She also made political statements when she shouldn't. To one interviewer she said that the Maori massacre in 1835 of the Morioris in the Chatham Islands was a myth. Well all the historians I have read tell a different tale. I sent her a text saying just that, and I got a message back saying my comments had been referred to the, " harmful digital language unit." You can't disagree with the Maori interpretation of events. You say Karl that one of her assets was that she was a Maori. But is that not the problem now? People are appointed to jobs, not on the grounds of competence or proven track record, but on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation or some handicap they may suffer from. And it's getting more and more ludicrous. Labour has chosen as candidate for the Wellington Central seat, an African man whose name escapes me. I believe he came to NZ as a refugee in about 2013. He seems to have done extraordinarily well, getting himself a degree and doing all sorts of other things, but I feel it's a step to far though nominating him for a safe parliamentary seat when his experience of democracy is so limited. In the old days refugees and immigrants spent most of their lives getting on their feet, and it was only the first generation born here who could take advantage of the new lifestyle. Now the spin doctors are waiting on the quay or airport to promote these new arrivals to the front of the queue and pushing aside other candidates with a proven track record. I see the Greens have appointed as their candidate the appalling Tamatha Paul, who ran a decolonisation symposium on the waterfront a few years ago. Of course she's Maori just like Marama Davidson, so will be a perfect choice. However she's only 25, and this is another trend that is disturbing. These candidates chosen now have absolutely no work or life experience, but tick every box as far as identity politics is concerned. Look at the disaster of Gore Council where the electors chose a 23 year old boy to be mayor; I believe the government will have to intervene and appoint a Commissioner. There should be an age cap for parliamentary candidates and some proof that they have technical expertise.
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