Photo: stuff.co.nz

A petition circulated by emotive millennials, Social Justice Warriors and social media sheep to remove Mike Hosking from the election debates has failed, with TVNZ sticking to their decision despite the continued sharing on left leaning blogs and social media.

One of the likely factors being most of those signing the petition are bandwagon riders, ready to blindly jump on any SJW cause rather than having listened to or watched him, let alone actually having an informed view to base their tantrums on. The opinions and reasons observed have been that of emotional petulant children offering simplistic views. Such is the ignorance, people are suggesting replacement moderators who aren’t even employees of TVNZ….which is screening the debates.

But then, it’s probably hard to to have an informed opinion when you’re barely literate:

The suggestion of John Campbell being unbiased is laughable, recalling his past gentle patsy interviews with Labour leaders and also Len Brown after his rooting around in the Ngati Whatua room on Auckland Council property. Campbell moderated in the TV3 debates in 2014, and despite some on the right protesting that he was left leaning, life went on, nobody died and the sun still rose the next morning.

Mike Hosking will likely do a fine job, and is well aware of the alleged bias and will consciously be making an effort to remain balanced. The petition is obviously a waste of time in terms of getting rid of him (as they always are) but will likely give him more self awareness in how he is conducting the debate.

Even Winston Peters had a sook, and got a sledging in return:

Winston Peters yesterday slammed Hosking’s selection to host TVNZ’s election debate, saying he is right-leaning and a “wholly unsuitable” choice, but Hosking says Peters was simply jealous of not getting onto the stage himself. -stuff.co.nz

It is TVNZ’s decision as to which of its employees fronts the debates, not ours via a foot stomping tanty. For anyone that is well read and follows politics, talkback and media closely knows that finding a presenter that has no left or right leanings is like trying to find the last biscuit at a fat camp. 

And remember, just because you’re outraged and make the most noise, sign petitions and partake in polls en masse when something doesn’t go your way,  it doesn’t mean you’re right.