A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

Mainstream media has an important role to play in keeping power to account, and ensuring facts, no matter the bias the media has, are what they use to communicate information. And this government knows that, but it also knows it can’t be seen to be bribing them to keep them afloat - but that also comes with risks to their voter base - it’s the ultimate catch 22. 

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

I hate to be the one to dash someone’s hope but the fact is you will not remove this government or even force a vote of no confidence with a petition. Our system isn’t designed to let that happen - in fact it’s not even designed for MPs to have to pay petitions any attention at all if they don’t want to…

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

Your not so friendly neighbourhood fascists who love to push dangerous pseudoscience, platform neo nazi propagandists, race baiting bull and transphobic bigotry to grift people are trying to influence the Covid 19 Enquiry to platform their dangerous nonsense - and we can’t let that happen for the safety of people in the future.

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

Tax deductibility is a really complicated issue - on one hand we do need a stock of rental properties, the last few years have been an anomaly from a tax perspective and IRD felt it wasn’t the right move at the time.

On the other hand, the current system has helped more first home buyers than ever get into property, not had a major impact on property investment numbers and created a much more even playing field between investors and home owners.

But the government changes are expensive - and the focus on these changes over core infrastructure and looking after our young people doesn’t sit well with many people. And it causes more inequities with our already highly flawed tax system...

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

The news this weekend that the New Zealand Film Commission is giving money to a money about Dame Jacinda Ardern is not only another example of how MSM in this country frames items to farm rage, but also incredibly misleading - and that’s being fed by the exact sort of right wing commentators whose actions actually make the framing of this documentary so fascinating.

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

Recorded live on Sunday March 10, this special episode of Paul… The Other One includes expert commentary on the right leaning coalition Government’s first 100 days in power.

With special guests from a range of sectors, we look at what this new government has achieved or hindered in local Government with hamilton City Councillor Louise Hutt, how education has been impacted with education expert Dr Will Flavell, the impact it has had on our largest city and rainbow communities with Labour MP Shanan Halbert, how community groups are preparing for the long term impact of changes to benefits and employment laws with Community Waikato CEO Holly Snape, and the changing media landscape with BHN Host Pat Brittenden.

Hey Podcast listeners!

This one is just for you - reminding you about a Sunday night video stream, and how you can find it next week as a Special Bonus Podcast episode!

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

I'm so busy over the next few days, 5 events in 3 days - so no time for big long videos I'm afraid. But I need to remind you of a live stream on Sunday Night - where I'll be asking a panel of experts about the coalition government's first 100 days in power.

*EDIT* - The episode this Podcast is talking about is now available as a Podcast on this platform or avaialable to view in full on YouTube

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

In the past couple of days I’ve had a lot of comments about the exaggerated hand movements of Finance Minister Nicola Willis - well there is a reason for them - because she’s been coached by the political rights most celebrated Social Media marketers who had a big hand in National’s social media impressions.

A left leaning look at the world with Media and Political commentator, Paul… The Other One Barlow.

In the election campaign Nicola Willis took to Tik Tok to say they would not be adding fuel taxes like Labour. Which was technically true - instead of a graduated increase they’ll do it all at once and increase the cost of every form of transport public and private while repeating ideas proven not to work and increasing ongoing costs for all of us in a cost of living crisis.