Clive Bibby: Voters merciless if lied to

For those interested in voter response to information that influence their decisions in the polling booth, one thing is clear - the truth will out and when it does the reaction will be merciless if they find out they have previously been fed a lie.

In that context then, it is no surprise that the the two upcoming elections - one here in NZ in October and the other next year in the United States - are likely to see similar outcomes.

While the results may be based on different preceding scenarios, there will be similarities that are noteworthy.

David Harvey: Institutional Reliability - An Erosion of Trust and Confidence?

This started as an overview of the problems recently experienced by Radio New Zealand but became a wider consideration of confidence in our institutions of which the Fourth Estate is a very important part. Inquiries may tell us what really happened at RNZ but the performance of others who occupy the corridors of power leaves much to be desired. Perhaps those who criticise contrarians and dissidents need to look in the mirror to find out why.

Members of the media have often been referred to as the eyes and ears of the public. It is their function to bring to the attention of the public matters of public concern. Journalists are traditionally those who are engaged in the important democratic function of gathering, transmitting, disseminating and commenting on news.

Derek Mackie: The Manchurian Candidate

X: Premier Xi of China

T: Chris Trotskyer - a left-wing journalist 

X: Please, take a seat Mr Trotskyer 

T: This is a great honour, sir…your excellency…your magnificence. 

X: Premier Xi is quite sufficient. 

T: Thank you. I never thought in all my years as a committed left-wing, pro-communist journalist that I would ever be in the presence of one of my heroes of the revolution. 

X: Come now, Mr Trotskyer, we are all equal under communism.  May I call you Chris? 

T: Please do. It is a privilege to be on first name terms with yourself….Xi. 

X: Xi is my last name, Trotskyer! I thought you would have known that. 

On second thoughts my official title will do. 

T: Oh God…I mean Buddha. I’m so sorry. I’m just very nervous. I will, of course, use any title you wish and, just to be clear, I am a committed atheist, like yourself. 

X: Enough! Let’s get down to business, as you westerners like to say. 

My ambassador in New Zealand has recommended you as a suitable candidate to infiltrate and influence the weak and incompetent socialist government you have there. 

We wish to undertake an experiment in spreading our glorious communist ideology throughout the West. But, we must not run before we can walk. So, we have decided to start small and use your country as a test before we move on to bigger and more valuable prizes. 

Ultimately, we hope to destroy the great capitalist empire of the United States. 

T: What a great day that would be. I am willing to help in any way I can.