MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

As I write this, there are only two weeks to go till the election. Consequently much of our TV and radio air-time and newspaper, magazine and internet column inches have lately been taken up with campaign coverage. So have our journalists and commentators been doing a good job?

Well I guess that depends a bit on your perspective. For a media and politics junkie like myself, the New Zealand media's fairly gung-ho approach to election coverage is reasonably satisfying. We tend to cover election campaigns as if they are a sports event or perhaps a great theatrical spectacle. It's all very "he says, she says" and about the day-to-day cut and thrust of the campaign. And a lot of our journalists do that basic daily coverage well.

Where I think we fall down a bit is in the more grunty, intelligent analysis end of things. There really isn't a lot of serious coverage of whether some of the policies being spouted are workable or highly flawed. We get more caught up in Lockwood and Maurice Williamson's gaffes, the constant drama surrounding Winston Peters, whether Helen Clark's billboard photo is too air-brushed, and what the hell is going on with Rodney Hide's yellow jacket.

I have to confess I get completely caught up in the almost showbizzy side of the campaign too. So, as I said, the kind of media coverage we've been getting by and large works for me. But if you're looking for something a litte smarter and more in-depth, you might be struggling a little to find it.

TV ONE's Agenda does a good job at the more serious end of the spectrum, but a lot of TVNZ's other more in-depth coverage has been buried on their little-watched digital channel.

In terms of the more basic day-to-day coverage that is the bulk of what we are served up, I think TV 3's Duncan Garner does a good job of putting everything into understandable lay terms. Some people think he's a bit bovver boy in style, but I kind of like that about him.

In the print world, I really rate the work of NZ Herald political columnist John Armstrong. He consistently writes strong, sensible analysis, and is so even-handed it's hard to tell if he has any political leanings of his own. The Herald's Audrey Young is also very able.

Jane Clifton's columns in the Listener and the Dominion Post have a clever and appealing mix of humour and analysis. And 2008 Qantas Media Awards winner Colin Espiner is a really good all-rounder, in his writing for the Christchurch Press and in his on-line blog for them. He is also an informed and personable guest commentator on Radio Live.

Radio Live has been my radio station of choice this election year. With former MPs Michael Laws, Willie Jackson and John Tamihere in their regular on-air line-up, along with long-time political junkie Bill Ralston, and a strong roster of regular commentators, they've been doing a great job.

There are no doubt other names I could have mentioned. I've hardly even touched on contributors to the blogosphere. Feel free to let me know who you think has been doing a good job, or to take issue with any of my commendations. Election coverage has certainly been extensive. And no doubt it will continue to be as we count down to November 8.