New Zealand media camouflage political lobbying

Abstract

Political lobbyists are a part of government decision-making processes, and many countries have stringent regulations to ensure their activities are somewhat transparent, especially as some use ethically questionable tactics. In New Zealand, however, there are no similar legislative regulations, and lobbyists can stay undetected while trying to influence policymaking. More concerning, however, is that the results of this study indicates that lobbyists are also able to skirt around scrutiny in New Zealand media because of current journalism practices. This research's content analysis indicates the media neglects to identify lobby organisations, thereby allowing them to operate without detection of their agenda, leaving the public unaware of who is influencing decision makers.

Media strategies in lobbying process. A literature review on publications in 2000-2018.

“…The authors suggest that a great deal of this relationship is initiated by lobbyists. Strong and Tyler (2017) argue, journalists and media organisations might have difficulties in recognising lobbyists and interest groups and their agendas, or the activity of lobbyists and interest groups is not reported (Bernhagen and Trani, 2012). But still, the detailed methods and overall strategies how lobbyists and interest groups are trying to strategically influence journalists and media organisations remain undefined.…”

“…For instance, business and environmental lobbyists provide their scientific inside knowledge for journalists (Lück et al, 2016) and establish themselves as experts on the issue at hand. Alternatively, lobbyists might want to stay in the background and indirectly support the appearances of suitable experts and proponents in the media (Strong and Tyler, 2017).…”

“…Appointing a certain spokesperson for the issue at hand is used to put a case forward in the media, although occasionally the real interest group behind the spokesperson might be hidden (Strong and Tyler, 2017). Public speeches of spokespersons feed the news preferences, offer facts and statements for journalists and try to influence the tone of news coverage (McCluskey, 2008).…”

Grease or Sand in the Wheels of Democracy?

“…Mallard, 2003). There are several pieces of postgraduate student or academic research (Williams, 2014;Tyler, 2015;Strong and Tyler, 2017), as well as a useful broader consideration of vested interests, including lobbying, by Ellie Argyle and political commentator Colin James (Argyle and James, 2014). There are several investigative works alleging egregious behaviour by lobbyists (Hager and Burton, 1999;Hager, 2002Hager, , 2012.…”