When The Media Gets It Stunningly Bad
I have little sympathy for the National the Party of privilege. But I have empathy with Todd Muller the man, for what he went through...
A recent 'tweet' by TV3 political reporter, Anna Bracewell-Worrall, caught my eye:
The link was to a story written by TV3's political editor and Parliamentary Press Gallery reporter, Tova O'Brien. Written in May last year, it was a devastating critique on Todd Muller's nascent leadership of the National Party:
National MPs already leaking as new leadership team of Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye suffers disastrous first sitting day
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MPs are not only leaking against Muller and his deputy Nikki Kaye, but speaking out against them, with one telling Newshub the leadership's claim MP Paul Goldsmith is Māori was "embarrassing and quite frankly appalling".
Not quite two months after Ms O'Brien's critical piece, Todd Muller resigned as Leader of the National Party, announcing his decision on 14 July last year:
It was soon apparent that public scrutiny and media pressure had exacted a horrendous toll on Mr Muller's mental health:
“The role has taken a heavy toll on me personally, and on my family, and this has become untenable from a health perspective.”
“It just came in these utterly debilitating waves. I was sweating, dry-retching – it was just hideous. I’d go to the bathroom and splash some water on my face and do some breathing exercises, because I knew that helped. But it was absolutely excruciating.”
“What happens when a guy takes over as a political leader, then clearly has a mental breakdown and leaves after 53 days? Do you frame it as a mental health issue? Or was he in way over his head, he shouldn’t have done it, and his political reputation is stuffed?
I found it really hard, because there were triggers everywhere. I walked past the leader’s office, which used to be my office. I watched the media scrum before Question Time. I felt a degree of unease – a low-level background noise. And a lingering sense of regret and sadness, really.”
“It started with an intense prickling sensation in my head, followed by what I would describe as ‘waves’ of anxiety.
Stretching, yoga or calming apps on my phone, nothing could stop the waves of anxiety and dread that would start the moment I woke up.
I could tell it was impacting my performance so I was prescribed sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication if needed to get through the weekdays in Parliament. At least this would get me through to maybe five hours sleep a night, maybe enough to function.”
Even Newshub - Ms Bracewell-Worrall's employer - reported on the mental health crisis that Todd Muller faced:
“Sure, it had been a rough couple of days of media criticism, but I was heading home and had finished a couple of great conversations with mentors and supporters. I was looking forward to seeing my wife and kids before a day out in my electorate,"
It started with an intense prickling sensation in my head, followed by what I would describe as 'waves' of anxiety. I had never experienced these sensations before, despite having lived through some very high pressured moments at Fonterra dealing with global food safety scares.”
Of all the stories that Ms Bracewell-Worrall could have pointed to - as a "crowning achievement" for her colleague - it defies understanding why she would pick one that focused on a human being whose mental state had deteriorated to the point of paralysis. Calling Ms O'Brien's critique as a "total masterclass" is in bad taste to put it politely.
As a left-wing blogger with little time for Tory policies, I have my fair share of criticisms when it came to the National Party. It's under-funding of healthcare; rotting hospital buildings; increased cost of medicines; inadequately resourced mental health services - deserved heaped scorn poured over their tax cuts whilst public services were starved of funds.
Our lack of critical care nurses and ICU facilities is a direct result of National's penny-pinching, as it sought to pay for tax cuts and balance the books.
So I have little time for the National Party and it's tender loving care for it's wealthy friends.
But I draw the line at re-hashing a "news" story that excoriates a person after he's been to his own mental hell and back.
A bit of compassion would be nice, especially from our mainstream media.
And by compassion, I don't mean the endless heart-string stories of New Zealanders who've voluntarily travelled overseas during a pandemic; then find it difficult to claim a MIQ room; and then have their self-inflicted "misfortune" platformed by media eager for clickbait-driven advertising revenue.
Of all the stories Ms Bracewell-Worrall could have pointed to in tribute to her colleague, she focused on Todd Muller?
When someone points to a man who had a mental breakdown and refers to a story about the events leading up to his personal life-crisis as a "total masterclass" - that is unsettling.
There is a streak of cynicism that runs through our mainstream media. Perhaps some people have been in their jobs for too long? Who knows.
Perhaps it's no wonder media can exploit personal stories of New Zealanders "trapped overseas".
I have little sympathy for the National the Party of privilege.
But I have empathy with Todd Muller the man, for what he went through.
But I'm not a masterclass journalist, so what would I know.
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References
Newshub: Tova O'Brien
Twitter: @Anna_bwl - Todd Muller - 11.11AM Nov 2, 2021
RNZ: Todd Muller resigns as National Party leader
Stuff media: Todd Muller resignation followed admission about anonymous article
Stuff media: Todd Muller on his leadership coup, his 'breakdown' and the road back to health
Newshub: Todd Muller reflects on the panic attacks, anxiety he faced as National leader
NZ Doctor: Budget2019 - Health $3.2 billion under-funded since 2009/10
RNZ: Hospital buildings full of rot and mould
Stuff media: Prescription cost to rise to help pay for Budget
Newsroom: Coleman faces heat over mental health
Scoop media: Govt’s 2010 tax cuts costing $2 billion and counting
Newshub: Motorsport - How New Zealand's MIQ woes could damage career of Formula Two prospect Liam Lawson
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Acknowledgement: Guy Body
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