Live and Dangerous: Paul Holmes in Hamilton
Posted On: Thursday, 22 July 2010
Legendary broadcaster Paul Holmes, who features as guest speaker at the next lunch event in Wintec’s celebrated Media Bites series, promises to dish the dirt on gutter journalism.
About 100 people – including many well-known Waikato newsmakers from politics, entertainment, sport and business - are expected to attend the August 10 lunch at the Ferrybank Restaurant and Reception Centre in Hamilton.
Holmes says as well as sharing stories about his remarkable career, he will discuss what he sees as a new and disturbing trend of “vengeance” in the media.
“There are a lot of vendettas being carried out, and they’re marked by a sickening sanctimonious stink,” says Holmes. “It’s as though some sections of the media are setting themselves up as watchdogs of public morality.”
Holmes knows all there is to know about media tactics.
As the loved, hated, lauded and scolded presenter of the Holmes programme for 17 years, and host of his Newstalk ZB show for even longer, Holmes interviewed every single New Zealand newsmaker – and he became the news with each juicy revelation of his personal life.
He was also the subject of vitriol and wrath for his controversial remarks. Condemnation of his “cheeky darky” comment led to advertisers withdrawing their support, and to a tearful on-air apology.
He wrote an autobiography, recorded a peculiar album, and danced the less-than-light fantastic on Dancing With The Stars.
Holmes, 60, now hosts TVNZ political show Q + A, and writes a weekly column for the Herald on Sunday newspaper. He also uses his energies to campaign against the drug P, and produce his own range of olive oil.
Wintec’s editor in residence, the author and columnist Steve Braunias, says he is thrilled that Holmes accepted the invitation to take the stage at the Media Bites event on Tuesday, August 10.
“In an age when expressing an opinion in public is considered a worse offence than the seven deadly sins put together, Paul remains a fresh and compelling presence.”
“And in terms of professional excellence, Paul’s continuing expertise as an interviewer makes many other presenters look like dummies.”
He adds: “For all his fame, Paul is an engaging guy who takes a sincere interest in other people. I’m sure those kinds of qualities will be evident when he speaks at the Ferrybank, and is subjected to a spirited question and answer session with the audience.”
This is the second Media Bites event this year, following a spectacular address by comedian and media blogger Te Radar in April, when the guest list included Tainui CEO Mike Pohio, and David Bain’s advocate Joe Karam.
Speakers at Media Bites in previous years include TV3’s John Campbell, and the departing host of Morning Report on National Radio, Sean Plunkett.
The idea behind Media Bites is to introduce communications and diploma journalism students at Wintec’s school of media arts to well-known journalists and broadcasters. It also serves as an opportunity to bring together leading Waikato identities in a social occasion – and upholds the media tradition of a long lunch.
Media Bites is sponsored by the National Business Review, and is an invite-only event. It will be held from 12pm to 2pm at the Ferrybank on the banks of the Waikato River in downtown Hamilton.