NPR: New Zealand Bans Forms of Political Satire

New Zealand Bans Forms of Political Satire

I found this story hard to believe when I first read it, but the government of New Zealand, land of hobbit films and sheep, last month banned broadcasters from using images captured inside parliament to "satirise, ridicule or denigrate MPs," The New Zealand Herald reports.

Apparently, Kiwi politicians were upset at the media for broadcasting images of government ministers appearing to sleep at their desks or making rude gestures. But it wasn't just members of the governing party who were saying "no humor allowed" -- only six members of the 121-seat parliament voted against the measure.

This seems like one of those things that politicians do because they can but often come to regret mightily later.

Not only is the move unpopular with the people of New Zealand (in a recent poll, 71 percent said they opposed the ban), but it probably won't help the country's image in the larger world. I can just imagine what the Australians (who make fun of Kiwis endlessly anyway) will do with it -- or someone like Jon Stewart or those great British comedy shows.

Some New Zealand television networks have said they won't comply with the ban, which took effect Monday. Now, Prime Minister Helen Clark's government is "in talks" with the media about changing parts of it. Does that mean we'll hear reports of furious backpedaling and flimsy rationalizations coming from Wellington any day now?

3:05 PM ET | 07-19-2007 | permalink

Comments

Wow, wouldn't censorship of that sort be considered political facism? I am blown away by this. A bit drastic, don't you think?

Sent by Besok | 6:04 AM ET | 07-28-2007

This is a disgrace. I'm a Kiwi used to lecturing Americans on the shortfalls of their democracy.

Sorry.

Sent by Stephen Binns | 7:09 PM ET | 08-01-2007

That's alright. We ignore you anyway.

Sent by Snead Hearn | 9:00 PM ET | 08-04-2007

Absurd. Yet another reason why Australia should invade and take the place over.

Sent by Karl Kennedy (Dr) | 7:09 AM ET | 08-16-2007

I leave the country for four years and this happens. The law is an embaressment but no worse than the nonsense (like The Patriot Act which is far worse) that both the Bush and Howard administrations have thrown up since 9/11. The law won't hold up anyway as most New Zealanders disagree with me and the media are refusing to comply with it. I expect that the law will be amended with the hope by Clark and company that the damage will be done and the media will self-censor more often from now on just like what occured in the US after 9/11.

Mr Kennedy, Australia should be invaded for having a continuing to have a race relations and immigration record that wouldn't have shamed Apartheid era South Africa.

Mr Hearn, please feel free, in the great American tradition, to ignore everything and everyone who provides genuine and constructive criticisms of your flawed system. That way you never have to have your delusions exposed or challenged.

Sent by Anthony Burn | 9:18 AM ET | 08-21-2007

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