Guy Williams’ gatecrashing of the ACT leader David Seymour’s press conference at Waitangi was not funny, not justified, and not acceptable.
It debased the role of bona fide journalists and, worse, it was signal to every grandstander and malcontent that stand-up press conferences represent an ideal soapbox that is there for the taking.
In spite of his self-description as a “volunteer journalist”, Williams is not a journalist. He is a comedian and presenter. The closest he gets to the news is in lampooning current events. In short, he had no place there.
At Waitangi, David Seymour – rightly the focus of attention over his divisive Treaty Principles Bill – was holding an outdoors press conference with a large gathering of journalists when Williams interjected.
Microphone in hand and no doubt being videoed for his New Zealand Today show, Williams threw vitriol rather than questions at the ACT leader. He accused Seymour of spreading misinformation and “spinning shit” before obliquely casting doubt on the honesty of modern politicians. The only question Williams actually appeared to ask was whether Seymour was joking when he said he was improving the mana of the Treaty.
Seymour made light of the encounter and – smile on face – counterpunched with his opinion of Williams’ comedic skills.
It could all have been dismissed as a bit of silliness on the part of an entertainer looking to get a rise out of a politician. On the surface, that is exactly what it was. I have no doubt the footage, complete with Williams’ additional tuppence worth, will wind up in his show.
However, there is a deeper issue arising from the comedian’s antics: He violated an environment in which journalists collectively hold power to account by questioning those that hold that power. Continue reading “Comedian’s press conference gatecrash no laughing matter”
