Summarised by Centrist
Veteran journalist Gavin Ellis goes after Guy Williams’ expletive-filled gatecrashing of ACT leader David Seymour’s press conference at Waitangi.
Ellis said it was “not funny, not justified, and not acceptable.”
Ellis argues that Williams, a comedian, misrepresented himself as a journalist and debased the role of legitimate reporters, sending a dangerous signal that press conferences are open to grandstanding and disruption.
Ellis rejects Williams’ claim of being a “volunteer journalist,” stating: “In spite of his self-description… Williams is not a journalist. He is a comedian and presenter… He had no place there.”
Instead of seeking information, Williams “threw vitriol rather than questions at Seymour”, reducing the press conference to a performance for his New Zealand Today show.
Beyond the disruption, Ellis warns of a deeper problem—press conferences serve an essential role in holding power to account, allowing journalists to question leaders collectively from different angles.
He argues that Williams’ stunt “violated an environment in which journalists collectively hold power to account” and set a precedent that could encourage further grandstanding by activists and opportunists.
“Maybe all ‘genuine journalists’ should carry a standard industry-issued press card… A comedian flashing a card from Equity New Zealand should be denied entry,” Ellis writes.
While acknowledging the dangers of restricting press access, he sees Williams’ antics as an example of why greater protections may be necessary to prevent the erosion of journalistic integrity.
Read more over at Knightly Views
Image: Guy Williams
