Please spare us the continual "sob stories" about people who get caught up in travel restrictions, says Phil Chitty. Photo / Alex Burton
Please spare us the continual "sob stories" about people who get caught up in travel restrictions, says Phil Chitty. Photo / Alex Burton
Opinion
Spare us the lockdown sob stories
By all means keep your readership updated regarding the Covid situation, that is responsible journalism. But please spare us the continual "sob stories" about people who get caught up in travel restrictions, such as the man stuck in Australia who missed his twins' birthday, which dominated the opening pages of your most recent edition. The pandemic has been with us for some 18 or so months now. Surely, no one in New Zealand or Australia is not aware the transtasman travel bubble can be shut down at a moment's notice? So anyone planning any travel in such circumstances takes their chances. It's not front-page news when they miss out. Phil Chitty, Albany
Press gang
Heather du Plessis-Allan and Kerre McIvor made interesting points in their Sunday columns about the state of the National Party. What they both failed to mention is how Jacinda's would-be bridesmaids in the Parliamentary Press Gallery take particular pains not to report on anything positive being done by National in holding the Government to account. When the mainstream media is determined to suppress items that show the effectiveness that National MPs such as Erica Stanford, Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop among others are displaying in the House and at select committees then it is easier to project an image of National being in disarray. That in turn makes it easier for reporters to continue their adulation of the Prime Minister and downplay the ever-growing failures of delivery by the Government. The next election is more than two years away, enough time for the Government to self-destruct and for National and other Opposition parties to regain public support, something the Press Gallery bridesmaids should bear in mind. Katherine Swift, Kohimarama
Fishing ban Why not ban all fishing in the Hauraki Gulf and Kaipara Harbour for two years and see what happens? Bruce Tubb, Belmont
