Another concerned parent
A couple of months ago a newspaper quoted a concerned parent who was unhappy with national standards. They were in fact an NZEI employee.
Now earlier this month, we had another concerned parent attack national standards. A Steve O’Connor in the ODT.
Now I may be wrong, but I reckon he is the same Steve O’Connor who is on Grassroots Labour. Nothing wrong with that, but when you write op eds attacking the Government, you and the newspaper should disclose political affiliations.
I also guess Mr O’Connor, is the same one who worked for Clare Curran.
It makes you wonder how many of these concerned parents and citizens always quoted by the media, have strong party affiliations and involvement they they never disclose.
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Tags: disclosure, Labour, national standards, Steve O'Connor
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:09 am
This seems a very common ploy for Labour, I haven’t noticed it for any other party yet. Of course you could argue that this is simply better organised politicing. It was very noticable when Labour was in government that when they produced a policy, the same day a number of organisations (often NGOs) would come out with press releases in support. It seemed obvious (to me at least) that this was co-ordinated behind the scenes before the event, and that the other organisations should have been viewed in a substantially more critical light than I believe the MSM put them under – given their likely closeness to the Government.
I believe that media organisations should ask a standard disclosure (including a signed declaration) about whether a person either belongs to or is affiliated with organisations – including political parties – when publishing such op-ed pieces. It doesn’t seem to be happening.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:15 am
Wow, Steve loks like such a happy content man…. not.
Awesome for finding this David, I often wonder when reading letters to the Ed, and other opinion pieces just who the author really is, and also if the name on the piece is actually their real name.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:18 am
@ MarkS – it’s something that Labour can facilitate far easier by virue of being joined at the hip to the union movement. One only has to visit The Standard to see that in action!
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
Why should political affiliations have to be disclosed ? Isn’t a persons political views their private business ?
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:44 am
When they have political opinion pieces published it’s reasonable to expect they declare their political connections.
In this case he declares some things and not others.
“Steve O’Connor is a community activist, former Baptist minister, and chairman of North East Valley School board of trustees.”
That seems deliberately deceitful to me.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
I agree with Pete George, it seemed deliberate.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:57 am
Agreed Pete; as soon as the phrase “community activist” is used, a reporter’s antennae should be buzzing.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:58 am
@Inventory2 – I agree to a degree, but I also think that they are a bit smarter about it too.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:22 am
I recall Sean and Geoff finally twigging one morning on Morning Report that Mr B Burns of Kaikoura who constantly corresponded with them opposing every position National took was actually Labour activist Brendon Burns, now a Labour Member of Parliament. These people have no shame.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:27 am
“former Baptist Minister” mmm an interesting declaration on a CV. Has he “lost the faith”? was he kicked out? were the Baptists too right wing for him? was the pay not good enough?
A bit of detail on this one would provide a better measure of the man and how much weight should be given to his opinion which is interesting becaus there is a school of thougt that says the debate about ideas is the important thing, not the personality of the debater.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:42 am
I wonder if Farrar is concerned at the Dominion Post running regular columns by Richard Long without describing him?
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:53 am
I wonder if Farrar is concerned at the Dominion Post running regular columns by Richard Long without describing him?
If you are unaware of Richard Long’s political leanings, then you really aren’t paying much attention.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
This is common form for bottom feeders.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
It’s hard to be impartial in this country …ah DPF
DPF… when you write op eds attacking the Government, you and the newspaper should disclose political affiliations.
Yeah… there should be a law against.
For phucks sucks… I thought we got rid of the nanny state govt.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Does this mean that “Disgusted Mother of Ten” may in fact have been Helen?
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
RKBee: no, newspapers should show more discernment, and check more carefully. If they don’t then they should be open to ridicule. Like, for example, by blog postings pointing it and ridiculing their pretence of being a serious media organisation.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Maybe newspapers should stick to interviewing pizza delivery men.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
If people want to write a political piece then they can do so but the newspaper should disclose that. I for one would not read anything written by a Labour Party activist, but assuming they are too ashamed to admit it I assume I would spot it very very quickly.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I read some of The Standard this morning. It’s just like here except they say potahto while you say potato. Lets call the whole thing off.
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Some one called Steve O’Connor is standing in the up coming Dunedin City Council elections.
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Nahhh. Nats wouldn’t do such a thing. Ask “Hone” Carter.
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
It applies across the board Spoff.
It’s a bit funny discussing a newspaper not revealing the political connections of someone expressing an opinion, here in blogs rife with anonymity (Standard and Kiwiblog).
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Yeah, but at least we know the identify of the primary contributor on kiwiblog.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
What has someones political affiliations got to do with being a “concerned parent” about National Standards anyway?
Evidence from overseas suggests that policies like National Standards are an educational disaster, producing the opposite outcomes than those intended. Every parent should be “concerned”.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
Labour are desperate to make mileage from National Standards, so promoting discontent beyond what really exists is part of the playbook.
Mrs Krazykiwi works with principals and teachers all over the lower north island. Part of her remit is training and equipping around National Standards implementation, monitoring and feedback.
The level of discord trotted out by the media is in no way reflective of the acceptance of this change, and desire to implement National Standards expressed by most principals. On the contrary, Mrs krazykiwi find most principals supportive of this initiative, and eager to improve the lot of their students.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:22 am
@bc – citation please… and a MSM ‘story’ doesn’t cut it.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Bevan, I used to work with Richard Long and know exactly what he is. Many people would not and the fact that he is a former National Party spin doctor (albeit a pretty useless one)should be published when his toadying column is published.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Mrs krazykiwi may be hearing only what she wants to hear. The media reports the reaction of both teachers and principals’ organisations and they are universally negative.
To imply opposition to National Standards is some sort of media beatup is desperate to say the least.