Collins calls for further apologies from media

Supersize the mea culpa please.

Opposition leader Judith Collins has called for further media atonement in a reaction, with a sardonic edge, to the apology made by Stuff to Māori.

‘‘You know there’s a lot of things I think the media could apologise for. Racism is one of them, sexism is another. There’s a lot of things [they could apologise for] – [like] just being occasionally not as accurate as we all like everyone here to be.’’

The comments come as the political world reacts after the Stuff apology – the news organisation saying it has been racist and contributed to stigma, marginalisation and stereotypes against Māori.

Launching the project, Our Truth, Ta Matou Pono, Stuff’s editorial director Mark Stevens said the company’s coverage of Māori issues over the past 160 years ranged from racist to blinkered. ‘‘Seldom was it fair or balanced in terms of representing Māori.’’

While the National leader might have poked a little fun at the apology, her deputy Shane Reti took a more serious approach.

‘‘It was a strong decision for the media to take, the creation of Pou Tiaki [a new Māori-focused section in Stuff] and other positions to have a lens through which they conduct their work.’’

He said the decision by Stuff could be a ‘‘leading position’’ for

other media organisations around the country.

Labour Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson was delighted with the apology. ‘‘It’s one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever seen in terms of mainstream media.’’

He said it was a shame The NZ Herald did not take up the apology too. ‘‘I mihi to Stuff and the courage they’ve shown in addressing a kaupapa that’s very dear to people like myself.’’

Jackson said he had been personally Māori-bashed by media ‘‘many times’’. He said media had refused to acknowledge him as a leader or representative in Māori communities, ‘‘and all they ever call you is a Māori activist’’.

On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the apology, run in newspapers throughout the country.

‘‘I think it’s only a healthy thing for, be it Government, be it Fourth Estate, to constantly look at our role and place . . . in some of the debates around social cohesion and some of the debates around redress’’

National’s Broadcasting and Media spokeswoman Melissa Lee said it was a decision by a private enterprise, and she thought it was ‘‘wonderful’’.

‘‘As a person of ethnicity, I think there’s always some bias in the media, particularly when they’re describing certain people, often when it’s actually related to crime.’’

Broadcasting and Media Minister Kris Faafoi said he would not be asking other media to make an apology. He said there was a separation between the Government and the public broadcasting management ‘‘for a good reason’’.

‘‘It was a strong decision for the media to take.’’ Shane Reti National deputy leader