Kerre McIvor: Campbell goes down fighting in spy bill stoush

John Campbell is a straight-up crusading journalist. Photo / Richard Robinson.

As television goes, I thoroughly enjoyed John Campbell interviewing Prime Minister John Key on Campbell Live this week.

John C is a great believer in crusading journalism and there's a place for that - he wears his heart on his sleeve and nails his colours to the mast.

On certain issues he doesn't even pretend to be impartial. That's okay too and better than being an interviewer with a hidden agenda.

For weeks now, Campbell Live has been railing against the GCSB bill, seeing it as a gross violation of New Zealanders' right to privacy. He and others object to the possibility of Kiwis being spied on and to overseas spy agencies having access to Kiwis' information.

The reporters have travelled the country, rallying people to protest against the bill, and Campbell has repeatedly requested that Key come on the show to answer people's concerns.

And finally, this week, Key did just that. He came on to the show and the two Johns went at it.

If Sky TV had this stoush as a pay-per-view they'd have made a fortune.

Key was obviously annoyed at what he believed was misinformation being promulgated by Campbell Live; Campbell was just as cross at the slick answers Key was giving in response to his questions.

Key stayed calm and in control, unlike Helen Clark who lost the plot during the infamous Corngate interview Campbell conducted and that helped him gain the upper hand in the interview.

No matter which side of the fence you're on, it was interesting television.

I think the bill sounds sensible enough - for the GCSB to spy on New Zealanders, they must ask nicely, explain why and then be subject to a review of their investigation.

I couldn't give a fat rat's bum if they monitored my house and my life, but I think it would be stupid to give a government agency unfettered, unmonitored, unlimited access to its citizens. They must be accountable for every decision they make and they must be watched closely.

The bill seems like a reasonable compromise and Key was Mr Reasonable himself when it came to selling the party line and fudging the uncomfortable bits that come with running a spy agency that interacts with others around the world.

Campbell fought his corner valiantly but Key was the clear winner on points.

Debate on this issue is now closed.