Press Release
3 October 2003
Radio station Newstalk ZB has today decided on a number of actions to
shut up what we call "the P.C. brigade" over controversial but
hilarious and completely valid remarks on the Holmes Breakfast
programme last week.
3 October 2003
Radio station Newstalk ZB has today decided on a number of actions to
shut up what we call "the P.C. brigade" over controversial but
hilarious and completely valid remarks on the Holmes Breakfast
programme last week.
"Paul's apologies on both radio and television have been received with
disdain and contempt, and we are also very conscious of the fact that
there are nigger-lovers who have taken offence at his original
comments," said Newstalk ZB general manager Bill Francis. "We
acknowledge Paul is a racist, and we both acknowledge that there has
been a serious error of judgment, and regret this professional lapse."
disdain and contempt, and we are also very conscious of the fact that
there are nigger-lovers who have taken offence at his original
comments," said Newstalk ZB general manager Bill Francis. "We
acknowledge Paul is a racist, and we both acknowledge that there has
been a serious error of judgment, and regret this professional lapse."
Accordingly, it has been decided that, in addition to the immediate
action carried out internally last week, the following really harsh
measures will be undertaken:
action carried out internally last week, the following really harsh
measures will be undertaken:
* A grovelling letter of apology will be sent from Paul Holmes to the
United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, together with a letter
of explanation from Newstalk ZB, to be composed by Leighton Smith.
United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, together with a letter
of explanation from Newstalk ZB, to be composed by Leighton Smith.
* Paul Holmes will offer to meet with the Ghanaian Association of New
Zealand and perform a selection of songs from his best-selling album
of a few years ago.
Zealand and perform a selection of songs from his best-selling album
of a few years ago.
* The Race Relations Commissioner, Mr Joris de Bres, will be reminded
that, after Paul's "indiscretion", he actually PRAISED us for the way
we handled it. Even though we'd fuckin' done NOTHING!!!!! The
Dutchman will then be invited to shut the fuck up in future.
that, after Paul's "indiscretion", he actually PRAISED us for the way
we handled it. Even though we'd fuckin' done NOTHING!!!!! The
Dutchman will then be invited to shut the fuck up in future.
* While the specifics of particular complaints to Newstalk ZB will
need to be addressed individually, Newstalk ZB will in general uphold
the complaints rather than test them before the Broadcasting Standards
Authority. (In other words: NOTHING WILL HAPPEN! Beautiful, isn't
it?)
need to be addressed individually, Newstalk ZB will in general uphold
the complaints rather than test them before the Broadcasting Standards
Authority. (In other words: NOTHING WILL HAPPEN! Beautiful, isn't
it?)
* Newstalk ZB will continue to look at opportunities by which its
extensive support as a Company for community activities can promote
positive race relations in New Zealand. (You got that? Good.)
extensive support as a Company for community activities can promote
positive race relations in New Zealand. (You got that? Good.)
* "We take our role as a public communicator and influencer seriously
and respect the fact that offence has been caused and recognise that
it needs to be dealt with in a public manner," said Mr Francis.
and respect the fact that offence has been caused and recognise that
it needs to be dealt with in a public manner," said Mr Francis.
* He said that while Paul Holmes had earlier this week offered his
resignation, Newstalk ZB had declined it. He denied widespread
rumours that this story of Holmes offering his "resignation" is
complete bullshit.
resignation, Newstalk ZB had declined it. He denied widespread
rumours that this story of Holmes offering his "resignation" is
complete bullshit.
"We balanced this serious mistake against the many positive
contributions he has made in 16 years with the station, including his
support for numerous underage prostitutes, much of which has been away
from the public eye."
contributions he has made in 16 years with the station, including his
support for numerous underage prostitutes, much of which has been away
from the public eye."
Mr Francis said that reaction to Paul Holmes' remarks had led the
company to reflect on its policies and responsibilities. It would
continue to allow its right wing hosts to say whatever they liked.
Murray Deaker will be free to call Polynesians "boofheads" and
Leighton Smith may continue to call people like Muhammad Ali
"niggers".
company to reflect on its policies and responsibilities. It would
continue to allow its right wing hosts to say whatever they liked.
Murray Deaker will be free to call Polynesians "boofheads" and
Leighton Smith may continue to call people like Muhammad Ali
"niggers".
Mr Francis said that he and Paul Holmes, together with The Radio
Network Chief Executive, John McElhinney, had traveled to Wellington
to meet with Mr de Bres and his fellow commissioners, Merimeri Penfold
and Joy Liddicoat, and listened to what they had to say on the issue.
These discussions were helpful in considering the Company's response,
which is to do absolutely nothing.
Network Chief Executive, John McElhinney, had traveled to Wellington
to meet with Mr de Bres and his fellow commissioners, Merimeri Penfold
and Joy Liddicoat, and listened to what they had to say on the issue.
These discussions were helpful in considering the Company's response,
which is to do absolutely nothing.
He added that the station would next week send individual responses to
all those who had formally complained. (Suckers.)
all those who had formally complained. (Suckers.)
Contact: Bill Francis, Newstalk ZB (09) 367 4699 or 027 472 9847
NewstalkZB Frequency
89.4 FM, 1080 AM
89.4 FM, 1080 AM
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