Jevon McSkimming – Privacy And Democracy Vs Journalists
Opinion – Asia Pacific AML
'I dont think journalists have yet learnt that their power of the pen or words they publish can perpetually harm a persons livelihood, their familys livelihood and in the case of Mr McSkimming, forever destroy his reputation and career,' says …
Opinion: Kerry Grass, Asia Pacific AML
Is Former NZ Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming a victim of a malicious and orchestrated rumour? Was the rumour designed to derail his candidacy from New Zealand's next Police Commissioner and secure the role to Richard Chambers?
Since the time the news broke that NZ's next Police Commissioner was shortlisted to two candidates, I have been following that media trail. It was therefore an interesting article to read, shortly after, that one of the candidates had been stood down from employment duties. The media article reported that there was a pending investigation and gave some detail about the allegation.
What was then unfortunate to read but fairly common in New Zealand's media, was a small number of journalists who continued reporting details of the allegation. Such conduct by journalists I find very frustrating and it would seem they have ignored that Mr McSkimming has minimum rights afforded to him under New Zealand's laws. These laws include the Bill of Rights Act, the Privacy Act and the Employment Relations Act.
Section 27 of the Bill of Rights Act (BORA), afford Mr McSkimming to the Right to Natural Justice. It sets out –
(1) Every person has the right to the observance of the principles of natural justice by any tribunal or other public authority which has the power to make a determination in respect of that person's rights, obligations, or interests protected or recognised by law.
(2) Every person whose rights, obligations, or interests protected or recognised by law have been affected by a determination of any tribunal or other public authority has the right to apply, in accordance with law, for judicial review of that determination.
(3) Every person has the right to bring civil proceedings against, and to defend civil proceedings brought by, the Crown, and to have those proceedings heard, according to law, in the same way as civil proceedings between individuals.
To then read that journalists and the Minister of Police continued to publicly share their personal views and report details of the allegation – is beyond belief.
I don't think journalists have yet learnt that their power of the pen or words they publish can perpetually harm a person's livelihood, their family's livelihood and in the case of Mr McSkimming, forever destroy his reputation and career. This impact still eventuates if he is found innocent of the allegations that journalists and Minister Mitchell are reporting.
There is also the possibility the allegations were designed to derail Mr McSkimming's role as the next Police Commissioner. If so, the orchestration and malicious leaking were successful in the objective.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Two people critically injured near Auckland night market
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Two people have been critically injured near a popular night market in Auckland. Inspector Danny Meade said the police were called to Aylesbury Street after reports of an assault near the Auckland Night Markets in Pakuranga at around 6.45pm. Cordons are in place around Aylesbury Street and Reeves Road, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area. Meade said the police were following lines of enquiry to locate the alleged offender. He said the initial enquiries suggested it was an isolated incident and there was not believed to be any further risk to the public. He added there will be a visible police presence in the area throughout Saturday evening as enquiries continued. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Two people seriously injured near Auckland night market
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Two people have been seriously injured near a popular night market in Auckland. The police were called to Aylesbury Street after reports of an assault at the Auckland Night Markets in Pakuranga at around 6.45pm. They are still looking for the alleged offender. Cordons are currently in place, and people have been asked to avoid the area. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Four Apprehended After Stolen Vehicle Crashes
Inspector Danny Meade: Four people have been apprehended after a vehicle, reported as stolen, crashed in Manukau this afternoon. Shortly before 3pm, a Police vehicle sighted a vehicle that was reported as stolen, travelling on Portage Road in Otahuhu. The Police helicopter, Eagle, maintained observations of the vehicle as it continued to travel south towards Manukau. The vehicle was not pursued. The vehicle was successfully spiked on Great South Road, near Reagan Street, but the vehicle did not come to a stop. A short time after the vehicle was spiked, at around 3:20pm, the vehicle collided with a member of the public's vehicle at the intersection of Great South Road and Cavendish Drive. The four occupants of the offending vehicle then fled on foot. Three were quickly apprehended, and a fourth person was located and taken into custody a short distance down the road soon after. A member of the public has sustained minor injuries following the crash, no other injuries have been reported. Motorists around the Great South Road and Cavendish Drive area are advised to expect delays as the scene of the crash is cleared.
