Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says the New Zealand media has a problem with the way it covers race relations issues. He was speaking about the recent CloseUp debate between John Ansell and Hone Harawira.
Mr de Bres says it is typical of New Zealand media to give plenty of coverage to controversial figures making strong statements rather than focussing on the actual story.
He says this kind of coverage harms race relations and the media need to think whether they are being responsible before repeating such a debate.
By contrast on his blog, Maui Street, Morgan Godfrey urges his readers to view the Maori TV documentary on the “Urewera Four” which he says “sets the standard for current affairs in New Zealand and on Monday night the show raised the standard – again.”
“We have very clear Catholic social teaching on racism but, more broadly, as an international Church we also have learned many lessons about living with cultural diversity.” Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
Source
- Radio New Zealand
- Maui St
- Image: Stuff.co.nz