PM reveals vaccine approval timeframe; 'disappointed' with Aussie travel ban.
OPINION:
It's been reassuring and yet a little bit surprising to be able to read the amount of material published questioning the arrival of Joe Biden.
My fear was that such was the relief at the demise of Trump, Biden would be given a free ride by a media thatsadly shows less and less desire to be bipartisan, balanced, fair and honest.
To be clear, there has been no shortage of such material from the apparatchiks, but fortunately they've failed so far to totally silence the more reasoned observers.
But in the reportage questioning the new President and whether he's more words and ideas than actions, there is a local irony - and a glaring one.
The questioning around our own Government appears so far this year to be underwhelming, if not lacking.
There has been coverage of the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford and his photo session of Jacinda and daughter at the beach, we've had reportage of Clarke and Jacinda and how they saw in the new year, and we've had reportage of a social media post from the PM with a shot of fireworks wishing us all well for 2021.
This is the sort of reportage we got for the previous three years. Also, reportage of a magazine that named our PM as the best politician in the world.
The local media, or at least too much of it, are in love with the PM and her Government, writes Mike Hosking. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Against this backdrop of holiday activity and plaudits is a medical crisis and, if you believe the angsty, a housing crisis.
Yet although both have had a reasonable share of noise, the hard questions once again remain certainly unanswered and, in many cases, unasked.
The local media, certainly the mainstream media, are being found increasingly wanting when it comes to this Government and accountability.
The local media, or at least too much of it, are in love with the PM and her Government.
The glaring truth was exposed last week by Family First and the work conducted by an emeritus professor over coverage of the Government's cannabis vote last year.
The vast majority of the major media players in this country were hopelessly one-sided towards the yes vote, and, despite that, pretended to play a straight bat.
The coverage of this Government has taken a similar approach. However, government coverage is a moving target.
There is nuance and variation on policy and announcements, and there is debate to be had around approach and what was or wasn't asked, and what was or wasn't followed up.
The beauty of the work by Family First was that the cannabis question was simple - yes or no.
By the way, if this detail is news to you, that's because not one of those exposed in that report for their own bias in the referendum covered the story of their bias, making them even more biased.
There is nothing wrong with being partisan, I am partisan, but you knew that because I am straight up and down about it.
Like me or don't like me, agree or don't agree, doesn't matter. But with me you know where you're at.
The same sadly cannot be said for too much of the reportage from the bulk of the biggest players in New Zealand's media game.
US President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington. Photo / AP
The fact this Government isn't being held to account the way it should over the lack of a vaccine is a scandal.
The fact flights still land from Britain and the States and scant pressure is being applied is a scandal. Michael Baker, Nick Jones and Shaun Hendy are doing the work the Government should be doing, not to mention the media - who think reprinting press releases is news.
Ashley Church of One Roof is doing the work the Government should be on housing, in at least offering some experienced realistic commentary around prices when the Prime Minister shows yet more naivety by announcing she's going to fix the housing crisis.
This is a lazy Government, and it's allowed to be lazy because too many who have the power to write a headline, ask a question, and ask another question when they're fobbed off on the first question, aren't hammering hard enough to test the metal. They're not pushing hard enough on the experience and work ethic of a group of people that got given a large mandate because they closed a border, and everyone forgot about the economy tanking and the houses that weren't built.
Is there genuine critique? Of course, but it's wildly out of kilter when compared to the simpering acceptance, and gleeful reprinting of propaganda.
The volume of material I have read locally on how Joe Biden might be all hot air and no action, compared to that of my own Government, which has three years of hot air and little action behind it, is stark.
It's being allowed to drift because our leaders know too much of the fourth estate is fan-grilling them.
