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A citation for Trotter

David Farrar (DPF) at KiwiBlog starts his post crediting his source:
Phil U at Whoar has blogged the following: "that nandor will resign from parliament soon..."
DPF has done what any self respecting journalist would do. So why does professional journalist Chris Trotter fail to cite the source when he himself reports?

And now, if we are to believe David Farrar's Kiwiblog... and then off he launches into a stirring ode to Nandor, which is another story in itself.

Now we can easily imagine a few reasons for Trotter being content to cite Farrar over Phil U as his source - laziness, perceived insignificance, name dropping or perhaps simply feeling rather pleased with himself that he bothered to credit anyone rather than the more mysterious and very important "close anonymous source".

But that's not much fun to assume in an election year. And Chris usually chooses his words deliberately. Thus, it's more instructive to look into this more deeply. Even if the exercise becomes a lesson in how to better think about how information is positioned in an election year. Then I'll show readers later (separate posts) how Labour are already controlling National's press releases and re-framing the debate.


Trotter's failure to credit the source
Trotter may well be linking this rumour to DPF so that DPF can be credited as a destructive rumour monger, should the rumour dry up. (Update: The Greens have confirmed the rumour is true).

The left are already lining DPF up as a worthwhile target to attack with his efforts on raising awareness about the EFB/EFA. With DPF getting regular air time too, expect DPF to be subtly slurred and continually linked back to National as part of “the mud sticks” philosophy. Expect DPF to be responsible for whatever commenters say on KiwiBlog too, when it suits the left wing media.

Crediting Phil U with the "scoop" (which was his due) would have had the potential to highlight the ranging viewpoints, and increasing tensions, and therefore potential strife in the Green Party.

Not that any right wing commentators would think to strategize in the same way the left do, but the left are worried that day is approaching.

Update: And Chris Trotter signs off his SST article this morning with
"and as far as I know, the only people predicting anything like that are the deranged soothsayers on KiwiBlog!"
Related Link: Trotter on Nandor

Comments

  1. 'deranged soothsayers'

    It that a insult to Phil U or a compliment?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sooth? He can't handle the sooth!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mark, that's a tough one. Those on the right are obviously deranged, and those on the left fancy themselves soothsayers.

    Maybe it does relate to a lefty that would dare criticise his own team (such as Phil U is known to do).

    The more I think about it, the more likely Chris would prefer to label the right "evil lying capitalist fascists" or something. Perhaps he was feeling generous, or the editor stepped in at the last moment?

    ReplyDelete

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