7 Comments
User's avatar
Peter Franks's avatar

I agree this is a balanced and excellent column unlike a lot of the partisan nonsense out there. I want to be informed so I can make up my own mind. Congratulations Grant.

Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

Thank you Peter! You hit the nail on the head: in a democratic culture, academics and journalists need to inform people so that they can make up their own minds. That's been forgotten, but I'm working on it! All the best. Grant

Malcolm Robbins's avatar

I was actually shocked at the "audacity" of the TV One news item on the poll. It was the first item, they announced it up front as "breaking news" and then spent about 10 minutes on it. The reporter was speaking in high pitched/excited state tones that suggest this was REALLY significant. OK so National have dropped a couple of points, so did NZ First, Labour went up a couple but from her tone is seem we we virtually had a constitutional crisis on our hand in that the govt had lost the confidence of the people in the first 5 months of office.

Based on this and previous coverage from MSM I couldn't help have the cynical thought that they have actively been contributed to the loss of confidence given the lack of "honeymoon period" (which is at least partly a function of how the fourth estate reports on a new govt). That and the fact that inflation is persistent, times are tough, outlook is grim, people are losing their jobs it's all hardly surprising really.

Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

Thanks for that vivid description of the over-hyped presentation of the poll results, Malcolm! As TVNZ newsroom is losing jobs, might we ask if there's an element of payback? But, if the mainstream media have noticed that public trust has declined, then I do wonder why they go ahead and make it worse. I'll try to set a better example – that's the best I can do! Cheers, Grant

Kimbal Riley's avatar

Grant - your best yet (off a small sample size for me). Balanced is key - and transparent. If you can deliver on this you might find a subscriber in time. I read an interesting substack from a guy called the Liberal Patriot which talked to a centreist potential in US politics - it would be terrific to see that kind of thing here - in fact I might write it...

Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

Hi Kimbal. Thanks for your kind comment! I'll keep trying to deliver both balanced and readable, as well as being transparent. I also like Liberal Patriot, including recent piece on politics of military aid bill in DC. I hope you'll do some writing too. A number of writers can support one another on here. Cheers, Grant

User's avatar
Comment removed
May 1, 2024
Comment removed
Grant Duncan PhD's avatar

Thank you very much for your kind comments, Ruaridh. If I can be balanced along with readable, I hope it's of service to others. Regards, Grant