New Zealand PM calls in police over media tactics

“I will not not tolerate ‘News of the World’ tactics”:

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key called in police Monday after a newspaper revealed one of its journalists recorded a private conversation he had with a candidate in this month’s election. Key said he would not tolerate “News of the World tactics” from media on the campaign trail and had made a complaint to police about the conduct of a freelance video journalist who was working for the Herald on Sunday newspaper.

“In my view, they deliberately sought to get a tape and they deliberately sought to try and get information,” he told reporters.

“That’s News of the World tactics and there is no place for it in New Zealand,” he added, referring to the British tabloid that Rupert Murdoch’s News International closed down after revelations it was involved in phone hacking.

The conversation in question took place in an Auckland cafe last week when Key met John Banks, a candidate for the ACT Party, which is a minor coalition partner in the prime minister’s centre-right government.

Media gathered last Friday for a brief picture opportunity involving the two politicians, then were then told to leave before the meeting began. However, the Herald on Sunday video journalist, who has not been named, left a recording device running inside a bag placed on the table where they were sitting.

The newspaper said the recorder was left on accidentally and it had not published details of the conversation for ethical reasons.

But Key accused it of deliberately trying to eavesdrop on a private conversation, saying he had put the matter in the hands of police after receiving legal advice.

He said the initial focus of the complaint was the journalist, but it may be extended to include the newspaper.

The prime minister, seeking a second term in the November 26 poll, has described the contents of the conversation as “very bland” but said he wanted to take a stand against intrusive media.

Herald on Sunday editor Bryce Johns said remarks made during the meeting had the potential to alter the course of campaign, in which Key’s government has a comfortable lead over the main opposition Labour Party.

“What is said there is potentially game-changing,” he told Radio New Zealand, saying the newspaper still had no intention of publishing.

AFP