HoS on TVNZ and psychic

Matt Nippert writes for the HoS:

TVNZ has been accused of using the police hunt for Aisling Symes to promote its psychic-based entertainment show Sensing Murder.

The state broadcaster has received hundreds of emails since TV One reporter Amy Kelly asked police if they would investigate a tip from medium Deb Webber.

Good. The uproar may convince TVNZ in future not to blur the lines.

Former policeman Dan Thompson of Paragon Investigations said he was appalled that the broadcaster appeared to be using a criminal investigation to promote the stars of an entertainment programme. “I’m totally aghast – it seems like a totally commercial play,” he said.

TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston denied the claim: “We’re not trying to push a psychic message to make money and get ratings.”

And to be fair I don’t think it was a deliberate commercial strategy, but a series of misjudgements.

Webber said the story had been “blown out of proportion”.

“It hurts because I am interested in finding a little girl, not me. Every time I say something it seems to be twisted around to not the truth.”

I’d like Aisling to be found also. The difference is I don’t get paid to pretend I know where she might be.