Scoop Feedback 2 Response To Holmes Sacking Survey

Wednesday, 1 October 2003, 12:46 pm
Opinion: Scoop Feedback

Scoop Feedback 2: Response To Holmes Sacking Survey

Thirty four more votes in this evening for the Scoop Survey: Should Holmes Be Sacked? (click here for links to audio, transcripts and commentary)

By far the majority favour Paul Holmes being sacked for his "Cheeky Darkie" remarks about UNSG Kofi Annan. Of those in favour of keeping Mr Holmes political correctness is the oft used reason. Meanwhile there seem to be a fair few punters who have long wanted to be rid of Mr Holmes and who simply regard this as the last straw.

Paul Holmes

There is no question Paul Holmes should be sacked. He will never be able to 'cover' a 'race story' without this incident being raised. When you get the big bucks you need to play by a higher set of rules. You can't simply apologise and expect the world to continue as is - I shudder to think about how a 'lesser being' would have been treated should they have attempted this type of 'humour.'

Kirk MacGibbon

Paul Holmes

The level of self-righteous frenzy on this issue is out of all proportion. Why is there not similar outrage on far more significant issues? When did our media become so utterly sanctimonious? Holmes's tone didn't strike me as any more excitable - albeit ill-judged and requiring the apologies that have been forthcoming - than the average Sludge column on Scoop.

Get over it.

Pattrick Smellie

Paul Holmes

No, not sacked, but someone might suggest a sizable(5 figure?) donation by Paul to a charity of the Secretary-General's choice.

Terry Dunleavy

Holmes

Sack him. From his "apology" last night I see he has now dragged his colleagues into the mire with him. He can thank them in private and not on public television. The action says they support him and therefore his comments.

Angela M

Holmes

Of course he should be sacked!!!

Malcolm Wright

Paul Holmes

What Paul Holmes said was quite disgusting, but nevertheless out of character. Perhaps this is why it was so shocking. Broadcasters like Pam Corkery and Murray Deaker have built careers out of making outrageous, obnoxious and bigoted statments. Because we are used to their pathetic ravings, no-one bats an eyelid, but Holmes's comments were unusual for him, and exceptionally stupid. As an aside, I note that almost no-one has been discussing his even more disturbing self-comparison with Hitler.

I think the shame of the whole episode should be punishment enough for him to think twice next time.

Is Paul Holmes a racist? Perhaps you should ask his part-Maori children. Besides which, many of his recent critics are socialists (whose comrades have collectively murdered more people than any group of racists) and I find them equally offensive.

Blair Mulholland

Holmes

He should be sacked, not only for his Dackie comment but his whole broadcasting style... give us some proper news comment at 7

Jono

Regarding Holmes's pathetic comments

To say that I was very disappointed with Paul Holmes comments would be an understatement to say the least, but for the broadcasting authority to say that since he has apologised and we have dealt with it internally smells of a hell double standard. Holmes should be sacked and the ones who are susposed to up hold broadcasting standards should all be on the same boat.

T.Takuira-Mita

Paul Holmes

He should go. Its the only decent thing for him to do now.

Paul Williams

paul holmes

yes, he should be sacked! He is a dangerous racist. Is he such a moron that he does not realise that this is exactly the sort of racist crap that starts racist trouble, eg Rwanda??? Man, he is thick!!!!

sarah-jane

Sack him now!

The racist sexist Bush loving bum should have been fired yesterday, but today will do. Out with Holmes now.

Don Franks

Paul Holmes

What's with this stone throwing at Paul Holmes? Tariana Turia in a news item here at your site told us all her ethnic roots but left out her pakeha blood stock! By doing so she has insulted me and every other Maori in this country by choosing to racially exclude and include at whim who her ancestry is. This by far beats the by comparison, Paul Holmes' "silly tongue" which biblically has set some on fire for and by their own kindling choice!

Nadine Tauri

Paul Holmes' comments

Paul Holmes' comments were utterly racist and completely offensive to say the least. Whilst I do not believe that he should lose his job, there is a clear need for him to be disciplined by TVNZ and NEWSTALK ZB. These sorts of comments must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all New Zealanders as they have the potential to adversely affect New Zealand’s international image and reputation. New Zealanders should, however, be mindful of the fact that many migrants face this sort of abuse frequently and what happens to the ones who incite that racial disharmony? They win 13 seats in Parliament and their influence is reflected in the Governments knee-jerk immigration policy changes. Something to think about, isn’t it?

Jed Horner

Holmes poll

It's time Holmes went. He's been revered for far too long. No one with any heart could repeat those comments ad nauseum and expect me to accept his self-serving babble later as a sincere apology. He knew what he was saying; he should be man enough to take his lumps. Resign now, Paul Holmes. If you remain on New Zealand airwaves, then you confirm what many suspect; you have no conscience or honour - just a gigantic self-serving ego.

Dave Taggart

Paul Holmes

Mr Holmes is not only a racist but also - and more so - a misogynist and a sexist. He should have been sacked years ago. It is unbearable and almost unbelieveable that he is the only prime-time "news"personality New Zealand television has to offer. As for his journalism: He's a disgrace for the profession! I'm almost ashamed to say that I'm a journalist, too.

Sabine Schneider

Paul Holmes

No one in any publically visible position would expect to keep their job after such a diatribe. Why should Paul Holmes expect to be treated any differently? If he's not got the backbone to take responsibility for his actions by offering his resignation then he should be summarily dismissed for misconduct.

M. N.

Holmes

Holmes should not be sacked. From careful listening to his stream of drivel, mad rantings and strange comments on that show, it is obviously he was on too much P at the time. As an addict, he needs our care and concern, and a spell of rehabilitation

stephen moratti

Fired? He Should've Resigned!

Holmes should have had the good grace to resign. We shouldn't have be discussing firing him.

Despite the P.M.'s assurances to the contrary, New Zealand's reputation abroad has been damaged.

That's probably as it should be. New Zealanders like to swagger around the international stage, making up for their lack of size by insisting that New Zealand is an island paradise of racial harmony.

Well, it ain't. Here in the Land of the Long White Occupation, racism is as bad, if not worse, than in any other place. But what makes it particularly onerous is horrible tone of the media in New Zealand (Scoop excepted, of course!).

Particularly when you read the papers, you'd think that hordes of the sandal-wearing politically correct have taken over society, enforcing barbaric policies redolent of communism in their drive to "make everybody the same"!

For anybody who has lived abroad, it's pretty obvious that there is precious little political correctness in New Zealand. The strength of the backlash is further evidence of what I'd call a "colonial lag" in New Zealand's public life.

The diatribes against P.C. this or P.C. that in media like the New Zealand Herald are nothing more than journalists and columnists taking their cultural cues from the new colonial metropole: neoconservative Washington.

And not even a contemporary neoconservative Washington. The language and argumentation of the "backlash" read more like a bizarre experiment in time travel, back to the U.S. of the mid 1990's, when conservative America shivered under the "Washington Spring" of the Bill Clinton years.

If anything, what this country needs is more, not less, political correctness. I hope that this incident will contribute to the growth of a tolerant and progressive public culture in Aotearoa. But I'm feeling pretty pessimistic.

rohan quinby

sack Holmes

Sack him. Not only is he a racist, he's also crap.

Idiot/Savant

get rid of sad boy

The Paul Holmes show is lame and needs to be axed, i can't beleive its run as long as it has. Its a real dead zone, the guy has had his day in the sun and milked enough cash over the many years hes had the show. The guy is nether inciteful, intelligent or witty.....please give him the flick

Francis Martin

Paul Holmes

Everyone should stop being so "politically correct". The man has apologised for a "wrong thing said at the wrong time". Haven't we all done that? Are celebrities not allowed to be human and make a mistake? But part of what he said was true! Linda Whatsername in the Herald this morning couldn't have been more bitchy if she tried!!

Jean

Holmes

Sack him. Ignorant. Racist. Self-obsessed. Overpaid. Inflated ego. Parochial. Pathetic. His defence? Satire? My 5-year-od son knows that wouldn't pass for satire at a chimps' picnic. Drivel. Humourless. NewsTalk ZB? Intelligence? Mutually exclusive concepts. Take him off air? But why, this was a msterstroke ratings stunt!

Stephen Walker

Paul Holmes

He should be sacked

Geoff Neill

Paul Holmes

Paul Holmes should be sacked by both ZB and TVNZ, to indicate to the world at large and to NZers that his comments are unacceptable. It is an over-used excuse by racists and bigots, that they are just "playing devil's advocate" and the like, and it is happening a lot, especially on radio. To deliberately try to stir up racial disharmony, and then claim it is not based on a personally-held belief, seems to me a pathetic excuse; one would have to be either self-delusional or lying. In either case, it is unacceptable. I have known Paul since 1968, and this is the last straw in my declining estimation of his actual value in the NZ media - he is past his use-by date and now exists only as a figment of media hype.

David Henderson

Holmes should resigner

People like paul Holmes who think they can use their position to any make unneccessary remarks to create confusion among people should be sacked.

Ama

Holmes

Holmes should definitely be sacked! The only regret I'd have would be the imppossibility of erasing that 14 years worth of shallow, sensationalist, tabloid style media manipulation that the country has suffered from a creature that is obviously not merely a racist but a cretin and a megalomaniac(As if we didn't already know it).

Grant McDonagh

Yes, he must, should, has to go!

I believe that the episode illustrated in the media is indicative of his real persona/opinions. He must go and cannot be trusted with such a high profile career. Losing his job will force him to examine his personal life.

Peter Fogarty

Holmes

If Holmes does not resign then he should be sacked.

Dave Morel

paul holmes

i beleive that too much has been made of paul holmes flippant remark. isn't it time the poor bugger was left alone. i don't beleive holme's is a racist. all he has done is prove that he is human like the rest of us. i don't beleive he should be sacked.

michele panton

sack him

absolutely sack him. he is setting a poor example. his ignorance should not be tolerated.

my sending you this does NOT give you approval to use it in the public realm. i value my privacy.

thank you.

george oliver

Paul Holmes

Why has NZ just woken up to the fact that Paul is a bumbling jibbering idiot? Some of us knew it years ago. If Paul is N.Z's 'best', heaven help us all. The only decent interviewer and current affairs person is Cameron Bennett..... Paul is as TV One is..... in fact NZ TV is dreadful!

Gill

Should Paul Holmes get the sack.

In a word, yes. Although I must admit I've always felt this way...

Piyush Jain

Paul Holmes

My own personal view, which I think is shared by many others, is that Paul Homes should resign.

This old dog been "sitting on the porch" for way to long and it is time for a change.

I find his style boring and lacking in journalistic depth--his questions a farrago of supposition and wishful thinking, with a program fomat that is more in line with American talk show hosts like Jerry Springer than the standard you would expect from the State.

Whether he meant what he said about "darkies" and woman or not--he has embarassed NZ in front of the world alongwith bringing disgrace to his position as a state broadcaster.

I would also imagine that he has breached the Broadcasting standards with comments that are usually only heard when the "white,uptight brigade" get together in private.

Not only has he had staff resign on him and caused a bomb alert at 1ZB, but one of TVNZs sponsors, I believe, have freaked out on his ethics--or lack therof.

Do the right thing Holmes--Fall on your sword and sign off!

That was Holmes Tonight...Goodbye and Goodnight!

Kevin Harrison

Paul Holmes

Where do you get a job with more money than the prime minister as a public servant, and get to abuse women and some of the public and then think I'm sooooooo loved and respected I can get away with abuse. Even meek and mild people, are offended by the latest comments watching their hard earned tax dollars going down the tubes on this guy. Maybe he woke one day and figured the woman he had children with was also a darkie. Maybe thats why he left his children and wife for the sake of another.

NEIL

holmes

Holmes might have got away with his tirade if he had said "This an Archie Bunker moment."....Unfortunately he came across as a bigoted idiot himself. He is mistaken if he thinks that an abject apology will answer the situation. More is called for. Half his salary for a year to an appropriate UN agency would be a good start. It might also redeem him and the station in the eyes of a potential sponsor.

john laing

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