28 Oct, 09

TVNZ 7 | Rants

regan

Bill English: Politician or TV Presenter

During November, TVNZ 7 is running a spotlight on the economy.  The above promo, however, has some concerned that it's a party political broadcast.

Bill English is adamant that the script was entirely TVNZ's idea.  TVNZ have confirmed this:

The ‘formal’ bit of English’s script was taken from speeches he’s made in the past, and was intended to illustrate the jargon often used by politicians and other economic commentators that most ordinary people find pretty incomprehensible. The ‘popular translation’ was done by TVNZ and cross checked with English’s office just to make sure we had accurately reflected what he meant to say.

In essence, the promo was poking fun in a gentle way at the confusing language that ‘experts’ often use, and promising that TVNZ 7 would come to the rescue to demystify economics.

Bill English was used because he is Finance Minister, and because he has a name that invites a bit of fun.

Either way, it's nice to see some optimism returning.  What do you think?


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Comments

regan

It's got people talking about it so it's certainly worked  :)

44 weeks ago
's picture

Grabate

It's just silly politics and will be forgotten in a month or two. Ignoring the fact that it was election year, if this was made a year ago and Michael Cullen was in the ad, National would be making the same complant.  I agree with TVNZ's reasons and it's a great way to get people interested the special.

44 weeks ago

regan

The Labour Party's media statement:

Finance Minister Bill English needs to come clean about the extent of his involvement as shareholding Minister in a TVNZ promo previewing a series of programmes on the economy, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

“Mr English’s answers to questions in Parliament today were totally unsatisfactory,” David Cunliffe said.

“This promo looks and sounds like a party political broadcast and a self-promotion rather than a preview of what purports to be a serious programme. The very title of the promo --- In Plain English --- gives the game away. It is the same title as Mr English’s own National Party email newsletter.

“The promo would have taken many hours to prepare, yet Mr English says his office’s involvement was minimal, concerned basically with the accuracy of the script. It’s hard to believe that he or his staff did not give TVNZ more help than that.”

David Cunliffe said Mr English maintained that the invitation to participate in the promo came from TVNZ, and that he as shareholding Minister had not used his influence in any way.

“Given the fact that the promo is so blatantly self-promoting, it is also difficult to believe that a reputable national broadcaster would have come up with such a concept entirely on its own volition.”

David Cunliffe said Bill English must make public all information relating to the promo. “That includes everything relating to the production of the promo and the programme, including all meetings and discussions, and also any communications between Mr English or his staff with TVNZ and the board and any member of the board in relation to the programme.

“In Parliament today National tried to laugh this issue off as ‘sometimes you can’t help your good luck’. When it comes to taxpayers money and the responsibilities of a shareholding minister, that is simply not good enough.”

44 weeks ago

regan

I don't think that's entirely true.

44 weeks ago
aaronimpact's picture

aaronimpact

Yeah but it came off fake with Bill saying it.

Politicians don't give a stuff about the rest of us.

44 weeks ago

regan

Mention of the "can do kiwi attitude" made you feel sick?  I thought that attitude was something to be proud of and aspire to.

44 weeks ago
aaronimpact's picture

aaronimpact

I seen this promo for the other night, and thought it came off a little awkward. I was surprised to see Bill saying the recession is behind us, when he was the one saying the recession could go on for the next 15 years. And then he mentions "can do kiwi attitude". It made me feel a bit sick really. The last thing I want to see is a politician talk to me like they are my friend.
44 weeks ago