Paul Henry- racist hack. Show him the door- give him the sack.
NZPA story HERE3News video HERE
Radio Live interview with Joe C HERE
NZ Herald video HERE
and lastly, the real state broadcaster-
Maori TV'sHalf Caste Broadcast HERE :)
Commentary- David Josling, Socialist Aotearoa
Paul Henry and TVNZ reaped the whirlwind this week, the first for racist bigotry directed at New Zealand’s governor general after Henry questioned the PM John Key “Are you going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New Zealander this time... Are we going to go for someone who is more like a New Zealander this time?".
The second for floundering incompetence and complicity. After an utterly shocking performance by PM John Key at curbing Paul Henry’s comments, at best a toothless jibe. Followed by the defence of Mr Henry’s actions by his employer TVNZ stating they believed that he had simply voiced what many people thought. What!? How has TVNZ a tax payer funded organisation become a bastion for racist sentiment?
TVNZ then seeing mounting pressure from the public due to their support of such a racist figure, with over 600 complaints so far, proceeded to suspend Henry without pay for two weeks. Who as one of the highest payed presenters at TVNZ can afford to take a two week holiday, ‘while things simmer down’. Unlike New Zealanders of Asian descent who struggle to even get a job in a stagnating market, before even having to contend with the racism that Henry incites since after all aren’t we going to pick someone who “looks like a New Zealander?”
No longer willing to stand idly by while Henry provoked and incited racial hatred, and spurred on by Henry’s long history of derogatory and stigmatising comments directed at New Zealanders, women, sexual orientation, or victims of unlawful conflict, a dedicated band of 40 workers assembled outside of TVNZ in Auckland determined not to allow this rogue and backwards racist, from representing them and their friends any longer.
With Unite banners fluttering overhead in the cool sea breeze, protesters squared off against the TVNZ jugernaught. Shouting down TVNZ in unity with cries of ‘Shame’ and chanting “Sack the Racist Bigot!”, “Show Him The Door!”. Passing traffic on the busy and congested Hobson st tooted in support of the protesters,
Protesters were joined by a number of left wing activists, Including Joe Carolan who lead many chants, and commented on the fact it was the first time he had ever been in a protest to get a worker sacked. Unite Union's National director Mike Treen said Racism, bigotry and prejudice were real problems in New Zealand and comments like Mr Henry's made everyone's job more difficult. Mr Treen said the Prime Minister should stop appearing on Breakfast and called for the programme's sponsor, supermarket company Progressive Enterprises, to withdraw its funding.
The protestors then vowed that they would return to blockade the entrances to TVNZ's studio at 5am on Monday October 18th, the day Henry was due to restart, unless he was sacked by then. The event has spread like wildfire on social media in the days it has been up. If you are opposed to racism in New Zealand and want to stand up for a multicultural society- make sure you are there.
Media Links.
See the spin;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4194441/Henry-causes-a-stir-again
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678236
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11469881
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/130033/calls-henry-be-sacked
Photos.
http://www.nzpaimages.co.nz/events.php?event_id=11025
Video.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_cid=1502757&gallery_id=114314
Comments
"Once a country accepts censorship of the press and of speech, then nothing can be won without violence. Therefore, so long as you have free speech, protect it. This is the life-and-death issue in this country: do not give up the freedom of the press—of newspapers, books, magazines, radios, movies, and other forms of presenting ideas. So long as that’s free, a peaceful intellectual turn is possible."