Herald censors criticism

The New Zealand Herald has censored parts of a 200 word article that the Greens were asked to submit on campaign finance reform for yesterday's edition. They deleted the opening paragraph that was critical of the Herald's coverage of the issue, and replaced it with their own commentary at the end of the article.

The paragraph that the Herald deleted from the article without consent or consultation was:

"Help! Herald editorial misleading about Electoral Finance Bill (EFB). Won't print Green articles. Only have 200 words here, excuse grammer. See www.greens.org.nz."

The Herald then added their own commentary at the end of the article:

"Dr. Norman says the 200-word restriction limited the style of his contribution."

The article submitted was within the 200 word limit.

"The Herald claims it is defending freedom of speech in opposing campaign finance reform. Yet they censored the words from the article that were critical of the Herald. It is blatant hypocrisy," says Dr. Russel Norman, Green Co-leader and Electoral Matters Spokesperson.

"As the largest distribution daily paper in the country, the Herald is a corporation with enormous political power. But with power comes responsibility. The Herald editors might have thought it was amusing to delete my opening paragraph and add their derisory sentence at the end of the article, but it is censorship and it is a misuse of power.

"I defend the right of the Herald editors to take a stance opposing campaign finance reform. However, I expect them to defend my right to be critical of their position and their coverage. They should be ashamed for censoring my words.

"Campaign finance reform is essential to stop politicians being owned by corporations and wealthy individuals as they are in the US. If we don't want 'the best democracy money can buy' then we need to close the loopholes. We need campaign finance reform."

In the interests of free speech please circulate the full 200 word article.