Simon Anderson: Why filming politicians in public matters

Summarised by Centrist 

Citizen journalist Simon Anderson recently posted footage to social media that he took of two mates having a coffee. 

What’s the problem? 

“The issue is that Ms [Golriz] Ghahraman is the defendant in ongoing criminal proceedings and The Right Honourable Mr Brownlee is a senior politician holding high office,” writes Anderson. 

The filming of Ghahraman, the former Green party politician, alongside the current Speaker of the House, Gerry Brownlee, meeting outside a cafe has divided opinions. 

Some say Anderson’s actions are a violation of privacy. Others, including Anderson, argue that filming the meet is in the public interest and newsworthy due to its impact on public perception and trust in the justice system. 

He argues that given Ghahraman’s criminal proceedings after being charged with multiple counts of shoplifting, coupled with her political connections and establishment status: 

“Ms Ghahraman is nomenklatura, a member of the Establishment. An Establishment that, it appears, would prefer the charges against her to simply disappear. The consensus seems to be that ‘The pretty little girl does have some wacky ideas but at the end of the day she is one of us. Losing her political career should be punishment enough.’ Such consideration is seldom afforded to the little people.”

Read more over at BreakingviewsNZ