The Maiki story

I heard some time ago the story that the TVNZ Political Editor called a (gay) journalist the fa***t word at a function in a Minister’s office last year. I did not hear about it from an MP or staffer. I was amazed that it was never reported on.

Ani O’Brien did what no one else (including me) would and ran it yesterday. It has now (finally) been covered by legacy media outlets.

I have three main thoughts on this.

1. Calling a gay person the f word, in anger, is a terrible thing to do. This isn’t just being rude or slightly offensive. It is something that you just do not do.
2. I don’t think Maiki should lose her job over it, and it should not define her. People sometimes stuff up and do bad things. We should judge people over their entire contribution, not solely on the basis of the worst thing they have ever done. We are too quick to tear people down.
3. There has been an incredible double standard with the cone of silence over what happened (in front of many journalists). Yes, it was a private social function, but consider whether it would not have been reported if say an MP had called a gay journalist the F word. Of course it would have. Or not even an MP – say a staffer, a public servant, or a business person. If 20 journalists saw (for example) a high profile businessman call someone the f word, it would have been reported within minutes or hours.

It is the double standard that has wound most people up. Anyone else would have faced journalists camping outside their workplace or home asking them if they will resign, whether they hate gay people etc. They would have to (at a minimum) do a public statement apologising for their behaviour etc.

Some have suggested it was nor reported on as there is a convention what happens at private functions at Parliament is off the record. They are right, that there is an expectation of privacy at social events. What you say to people at the press gallery party for example is not for reporting. And if you drink a bit too much and say something embarrassing, again that is not news worthy. But there is a line. And calling a gay journalists a fa***t as part of an argument clearly crosses the line. If someone called a Maori journalist a n****r at a social function, would you really argue that is not reportable?

Now again, while it is was newsworthy, I think people should have some compassion for Maiki. She’s the mum of six children and has to explain to them why she is in the news, not reporting it. I suspect she is mortified by what she did, and again you should not judge someone by the worse thing they have done.

But people might rightfully say media have not been known for showing compassion to others who have behaved badly. Again it is the double standard.