In this episode of Political Playback, we discuss – the latest political polling which will please NZ First; Chris Hipkins claims the COVID inquiry is a platform for conspiracy theorists; some of the mainstream media think Jacinda Ardern should be summoned in person to the COVID inquiry; what is the Regulatory Standards Bill; are the media & government sitting on their hands regarding our national shame of child abuse; should we be concerned when members of the mainstream media want to become politicians; NZ First believes cash is king; and TVNZ looks at reviewing their news independence.
Show summary auto-generated by Descript app:
In Episode 40 of ‘Political Playback,’ hosts Bob and Simon discuss the following topics:
- **Latest Polls:** Bob and Simon the latest Curia poll which shows New Zealand First rising to become the third-largest political party. This segment covers the implications for Labour and National, with Labour showing a decline and National holding steady.
- **COVID Inquiry and Chris Hipkins’ Statements:** They critique Chris Hipkins’ statements about the COVID inquiry, where he suggests it is politicised and gives conspiracy theorists a platform. The hosts debate the necessity of having past officials, including Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern, testify at the inquiry to ensure accountability.
- **The Issue of Child Abuse:** A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the crisis of child abuse in New Zealand. They highlight systemic issues like weak family formation, drug and alcohol abuse, and the disproportionate impact on Maori communities. The hosts discuss potential government actions and the media’s role in addressing this crisis.
- **Can Media and Politics Mix?:** The hosts discuss the recent move of a former NewsHub presenter to politics, raising questions about the unbiased nature of media personnel transitioning to political roles, particularly those joining more radical parties.
- **New Zealand First’s Cash Proposal:** The hosts debate New Zealand First’s proposal to keep cash transactions mandatory, considering its appeal to older demographics and its implications for digital payments and government control.
- **TVNZ’s Independent Review:** Bob and Simon talk about TVNZ launching an independent review to check its news content for balance and bias. They discuss whether this indicates a broader issue with media trust and the potential outcomes of such a review.
