21.3.06 Another reason to dislike the Dominion Post
The Dominion Post newspaper, which republished the Jyllands-Posten Mohammed cartoons earlier in the year, seems to like giving the impression it is run by ignoramuses with Klan leanings. Even if it has some bloody good journalists on the front line.
Thank God our young people are on to it at Victoria University, my Alma Mater, as Damien Kruz, media student, identifies the racial tags attached to an article where a judge, Anand Satyanand, was tipped by the newspaper to be the next Governor-General of New Zealand. It shouldn’t matter what the honourable gentleman’s ethnicity is—but for the paper, according to Mr Kruz, it did. And it is not the first time a “minority” has been appointed to the post, so his race is even less newsworthy. I don’t know if Canada had the same problems when consecutive minorities made the G-G post, but I shall be interested to know. To me, this type of reporting is another sign of the Post being well out of touch with New Zealand society. I’m not asking for woolly and warm political correctness. I am asking the judge to be considered on his merits. Maybe, in celebrating diversity, his ethnicity might be mentioned once—I’m cool with that. But not this, as Mr Kruz relates (my emphasis): It is the Indo element of Mr. Satyanand’s ethnic composition that defines him in the article. The article alienates and relegates Mr. Satyanand to an ethnic group that presently sit precariously in New Zealand’s cultural demographic as ‘new comers’. I have faith because of people like Mr Kruz. When he begins his journalistic career, he may wind up at the Post. Then, he may be able to change things from the inside. Del.icio.us tags: journalism | media | newspaper | New Zealand | race | ethnicity | racism Posted by Jack Yan, 08:48 Comments:
Re: Judge Satyanand.
The Dominion post-Jyllands Poste, much the same in my opinion; and I have no Islamic cross to bear, in making this assertion. Good on the Judge for making the grade, to hell with those with issues re: minority & Indo's. New Zealand will be better for his being in the post. Hey just look around Auckland these days - the demographics & attitudes are changing, fast. As for the Klan - remember who helped fight the "world Wars"; heaps of "Indo-minority" - up to the tune of the worlds largest volunteer army. Just read the events at Gallipolli, Cassino & the North African campaign. Consider "all" those who paid the ultimate price, for "our" freedom, you are sure to find Indo-minority's there. The damn cheek of some of these, poorly informed journo's, trying to discount others to sell their stories.
Well said, Yogi-One! You are right: Judge Satyanand has got there because of his own hard work. But I do still feel that the Post was wrong to make his race an issue. While I believe in celebrating race, and his is as rich as anyone else’s, his race is not the reason he will get the viceregal position. And if the Judge’s race was an issue in the Post, then it equally should have been an issue for the other people mentioned.
Post a Comment
I feel he was singled out because of his race, and he should not have been. He is a man who has obviously worked hard to get to the bench, and he has worked hard to get to Government House. Links to this post:
|
NoteEntries from 2006 to the end of 2009 were done on the Blogger service. As of January 1, 2010, this blog has shifted to a Wordpress installation, with the latest posts here.With Blogger ceasing to support FTP publishing on May 1, I have decided to turn these older pages in to an archive, so you will no longer be able to enter comments. However, you can comment on entries posted after January 1, 2010. Quick linksAdd feedsIndividual JY&A and Medinge Group blogs+ Previous posts |
||
DonateIf you wish to help with my hosting costs, please feel free to donate. |
|||
Copyright ©200210 by Jack Yan & Associates. All rights reserved. Photograph of Jack Yan by Chelfyn Baxter. |