Top stories on ONE News and 3 News: March 16, 2010

ONE News:

  1. Cyclone devastation (Live cross, Sarah Azam)
  2. Failed Commonwealth Games bid (Francesca Mold)
  3. SuperGold reassurances
  4. ACC cost cutting (Exclusive, Live cross, Heather du Plessis-Allan)
  5. Drought impact (Amy Kelley)

3 News:

  1. Paralympic gold medal (Jane Luscombe)
  2. Auckland Museum chief quits (Live cross, Simon Shepherd)
  3. Failed Commonwealth Games bid (Tony Field)
  4. Cyclone devastation (Michael Morrah)
  5. Cable company job cuts

Commentary:

Hmm, big “exclusive” by Heather du Plessis-Allan tonight.  So, wait, there are people who don’t get their claims approved by ACC?  *Shock*

I thought the two lead stories were very interesting – especially with 3 News giving the lead to the Paralympic gold medal rather than keeping it to the sports section.  Given that we’ve had lead stories about the trans-Tasman row, it’s nice to see the Paralympics getting such recognition.

Of course, this doesn’t take away from Cyclone Tomas and you could argue that disaster trumps good news every time.  Kudos to 3 News who have a reporter on the ground in Fiji – Michael Morrah – while ONE News just had Sarah Azam in an Auckland radio studio.

Wonder where ONE News’ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver is and why she isn’t presenting the stories on Fiji?  Oh that’s right, she was expulsed from there….

Seriously, it’s a mere three hour flight to Fiji and ONE News can’t get a reporter in there to report first-hand?

Verdict:

3 News

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  • ell

    I have a feeling, but don’t quote me on this, that Barbara is barred from Fiji.

  • Rachel

    She was expulsed in 2008 and I presume won’t be going back in there but seriously why can’t they get someone else in?

  • Rachel

    and… I wonder if she’ll be let into Samoa after the saga with her report and the Samoan government

  • Dave

    I think NZ Paralympic win was a good call over overseas regional disaster wrap at 3.

  • ell

    Yeah, I agree, but I guess if they are cutting costs then a decision had to be made. The right one? Probably not, but a decision that was made for cost reasons I am guessing.

  • regan

    First gold medal win in 8 years

    So we didn’t win a gold medal at the last games then…

  • hidingunderhere

    How long has Simon Bradwell worked for TV3?

     

    Is “expulsed” a real word?

  • ell

    It was Simon Shepherd ;)

  • Rachel

    Ha, thanks!

  • Rachel
  • bobscoffee

    What’s the point of having Barbara Dreaver as Pacific Correspondent if she is barred from reporting in several of the countries?

  • Rachel

    bobscoffee: I wondered that too tonight.

  • hidingunderhere

    I take it a a sign that she is a fearless reporter, who has no qualms about upsetting the traditional power nodes in the course of good journalism.  Now that Lisa Owen is gone, can anyone name me a better journalist at TVNZ or TV3 news?

  • ell

    Kate Lynch.

  • Rachel

    hidingunderhere – they still need to have someone who can report on location though, right?

  • hidingunderhere

    Ideally yes, but the story I saw on 3 used pictures from Fiji 1, so you can arguably suggest that in this instance, there was no real difference.  All Michael was able to do was fly the (mic) flag for TV3.

     

    There is a lot to be said for being on the ground, and TVNZ are just as guilty as anyone else of sending their reporters to bigfoot it into a big overseas event.  Tomorrow, Michael will have the huge advantage of having his own pictures and his own experiences and impressions to add to the mix. TV3 will have an advantage, and TVNZ will be playing catch-up, and they will probably be forced to send someone other than their Pacific Correspondent.

     

  • regan

    they will probably be forced to send someone other than their Pacific Correspondent

    if they’re allowed in…

  • LisaS

    Would that be the sort of “good journalism” that just got a kicking from the BSA?

  • danny

    BSA complaint = badge of honour.

     

    Let’s see what the High Court has to say.

  • LisaS

    I liked the badges before they cost $5k.

  • danny

    Wear it with pride ;-)