Comments on: the last straw

By: Robert Bollard

Robert Bollard — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 12:14:10 +0000

Peter Harvey has the deepest voice in the Southern Hemisphere – possibly the universe. So his opinions have gravitas. He MUST be right.

By: silkworm

silkworm — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:50:11 +0000

It would be useful to gather a transcript of Harvey’s spiel so we can analyse it in detail. Is this available? If not, maybe someone could tape and transcribe the next one when it happens.

By: suz

suz — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:37:33 +0000

I think the line between news and comment is blurred beyond recognition

Hmm, blurred, yes, but beyond recognition? I think I still recognise the difference.

we’d be better off insisting on ethics and reflexivity in disclosing where the bias (or values) are coming from rather than clinging to the wreckage of the notion of objectivity in journalism.

I agree that disclosure of bias is what’s called for but I can’t imagine how in a slot like The Last Word, Harvey could disclose bias. The format just doesn’t allow for that, whereas news reporting that aspires to “objectivity” at least has mechanisms in place for that eg providing evidence, witnesses, first-hand reports. And analysis surely requires some kind of competence or qualifications in the field under discussion. Harvey has none of this. He’s just a man who’s worked for Channel 9 for a long time.

By: Arch

Arch — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:48:19 +0000

Hi Suz, I moved to the UK a few months ago, and there is very little televised news reporting without a whole jar of syrupy opinionated commentry pured over the top. News is rarely reported without taking an ‘angle’, or getting in some half-baked expert to comment, and the BBC is probably the worst offender. But the real problem is that the angle is always from the same smug, middle class, anglo-centric, communitarian viewpoint. And that particular angle drives me nuts; so nuts that I’ve even remarked to my better half that I miss the MSM back in Aus! So I’m right with you.

By: sublime cowgirl

sublime cowgirl — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 07:46:01 +0000

One of the channels in Brisbane trialled this concept/format with Rod Henshaw some time back….and, doesn’t Alan Jones occassionally give a little spiel/rant on another??

By: the amazing kim

the amazing kim — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 04:50:18 +0000

Firstly, “commercial television news” is an oxymoron. It’s pretty much all editorial. I think they’ve put this blatant segment in to disguise the fact the rest of the show is just as opinionated. Like they put an obvious editorial in, to make it seem like the rest wasn’t.

The Last Word has been running for a few months, I think – or, at least, I remember seeing something like what you’re describing just after Christmas on one of the commercial channels.

By: SJ

SJ — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 04:46:15 +0000

suz Says:

…I don’t know how long this has been going on.

A couple of weeks now. I find it irritating beyond belief, and have stopped watching the channel nine news.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 04:25:15 +0000

I realise Iâ??m clinging to an increasingly slender thread in wanting â??the newsâ?? to be about information and analysis (I donâ??t mind analysis but thatâ??s not what Harvey is doing), but cling to it I will.

Point taken, suz, but then I think of the little essay pieces that often close the McNeil/Lehrer News Hour. I think the line between news and comment is blurred beyond recognition, and we’d be better off insisting on ethics and reflexivity in disclosing where the bias (or values) are coming from rather than clinging to the wreckage of the notion of objectivity in journalism. Of course, the big problem is the lack of diversity, and of diverse voices, in the media, which you highlight well.

By: Evan

Evan — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 04:08:05 +0000

“Be shocked.
Be disgusted.
Be despairing
Be cocooned.”

Yeah, well, I think I gonna be sick.

Commercial TV rots your brain. Try Auntie, or SBS, or the Beeb on Foxtel.

Try anything but the bloody Commercials.

By: sublime cowgirl

sublime cowgirl — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 03:35:56 +0000

I’m not sure commercial ‘news’ is meant to be primarily about analysis or information .
Its about emotion pure and simple.

Be shocked.
Be disgusted.
Be despairing
Be cocooned.

Be whatever the advertisers what you to be.

As for Harveys cornball piece; well why not? Ya can’t have the punters depressed beyond hope can we?

ANyway,surely its got to be better than all that ‘suburbs under attack’ crap.

If its news you want, listen to ABC Radio.