PR FROM THE BEACH

Internet Access a 'human right'? Finland finishes first in making it work

Today, Finland becomes the first country in the world to enshrine internet access as a legal right for its citizens. This piece from the BBC provides a quick overview of what has been accomplished, and follows on from the BBC survey earlier this year which identified access as a fundamental right. The Finns passed their bill in October 2009 and the aim is to provide citizen access to 100mbs - by right - in 2015.

Last year, France declared in its courts that internet access was a human right and other countries are following suit - but Finland wins the game today with its activation of last year's law.

Here in New Zealand, where we still struggle with connectivity, an effective duopoly of provision between Telecom and Vodafone with a few minnows struggling upstream, means the statistics are not so good. In Finland, 96% of the population is already on line. With a population of 5.3m, that's not so much bigger than us, yet Statistics NZ's number release in April this year advises that only 1m Kiwis are active broadband users, 80% are regular users but rural populations are still struggling along on dial-up.

There was a reasonable and robust programme of digital engagement under the last NZ government. Since John Key and the Nationals were elected, there has been far less emphasis and discussion on how we can ensure that the digital divide is bridged - and bridged quickly.  Areas of access, digital literacy, digital education have all faded into the background. Sadly, basic infrastructure is lacking along with the will to change and despite our much vaunted Kiwi ingenuity, I fear that unless there is some real leadership, we will soon find ourselves far behind other countries in the world. And it is very easy to 'slip behind'.

Technology is a key enabler. It facilitates education, change, progress and problem solving. Access in itself is not a 'human right' but making it a 'legal right' certainly helps us all to improve the level of human rights around us.

Below is a great TED video from Hans Rosling from 2007, which looks at progress through the eyes of a very creative statistician, who demonstrates that change is possible, nothing is impossible - but we do have to be able to distinguish between goals and means if we are to make any progress at all.  I hope that our own New Zealand government uses Finland as a credible and praiseworthy example as to what is possible in the area of digital access and starts sorting out an infrastructure that will allow everyone here to benefit in the same way as the citizens of Finland.

John and Letterman simply Off-Key

I've tried really hard to find something positive about John Key's appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman but, despite my best efforts, I have failed to find one single thing. 

Rubbing shoulders with Obama at the UN - fine. Sharing the Australian PM's bathroom facilities - ok. Announcing plans at the UN - great. Being made to look a complete dork by a two-bit talk show host - fail.

Who on earth suggested that he appeared on this show?  He may be Tourism Minister as well as PM, but I cannot see one scrap of evidence that would lead me to believe his inclusion would boost tourism in any shape or form.  The Herald today suggests that Key considers it a job well done because someone from Montenegro thought it was good. Montenegro? Sorry, but I doubt they will be visiting NZ in their millions.

The 'interview' simply made John Key look daft and I found myself writhing in embarrassment. The same sort of stomach churning discomfort one might feel when a cheery uncle makes a complete show of himself at a family wedding.  Why would someone put the Prime Minister in such a position?

Obama goes on Letterman because he is the US President and it 'puts him in touch' with the voters, particularly when he is campaigning for health care reform in the country. When Obama appears, he is jovial but still retains an air of authority. He is even allowed to sit down by Letterman who, when interviewing his President, shows at least some respect. But our John? Not a bit of it. Key became Letterman's Aunt Sally and whoever 'wrote' those appalling answers for him needs some urgent help and guidance and a real telling-off.

Dreadful misalignment occurred here and even though the interview is being 'talked up', the whole episode did nothing for NZ's credibility and certainly undermined our Prime Minister. Letterman's brand of tacky TV is about entertainment and commercial viewing figures, not leadership. Unfortunately, this meant John Key was made to look a complete clown instead of a thoughtful statesman. Shame on those who thought a TV trivia moment would increase his profile or improve his standing. All it did was undermine what would otherwise have been a reasonable trip.

Treated like a dork - John Key

Treated like a guest - Barack Obama

John Key wins - so will PR get the axe?

So John Key took to the stage on Saturday night to celebrate his election victory and delivered probably the most unstatesmanlike acceptance speech I have ever heard. He sounded more like he had won the rugby world cup than just taken over the governance of the country.  Mind you, perhaps the tricky journey from his car to the stage had rattled him. Whoever was 'in control' of the bouncers that flanked him on his way up to the stage really could learn a lesson or two from the Americans, who at least allow the winner to be seen and not squashed uncomfortably in the middle of some uncomfortable looking big-blokes. The other horribly bit of mismanagement of his 'moment' was the positioning of his podium, which made it look as though he was reading his victory words from an autocue somewhere down on stage left. Unfortunately for our new leader, this made him look completely unprepared, a bit shifty and a sad contrast with Barack Obama's eloquent acceptance earlier in the same week.

National needs to get the hang of microphones, podiums, people and speeches pretty quickly.  They have already fallen foul of the hidden microphone pre-election when some unguarded and rather dim remarks by Bill English were recorded.  Given that they have vowed to sack many of the communicators and public relations practitioners employed by Government (nobody ever replied to me by the way after Gerry Browlee's dreadful media release) I can't help wondering how they are going to manage to stay in touch with the people they are to govern given their ineptitude when it comes to some of the basics. You never know, perhaps when they review the tapes they'll change their minds.  I shall watch with interest.  And after Helen Clark's stand-down on Saturday, I do hope David Cunliffe gets the Labour leadership - he is definitely the right man, in the right place, at the right time with the ability to do the right job.

After the US Election - Could Barack and Sarah be Dancing with the Stars?

My friend Judy Gombita sent me this fantastic photoshop job of Sarah and Barack - maybe post election this could be the kind of cross-party collaboration we might hope to see. McCain and Hilary Clinton would have been an interesting mix too. I have tried to find the original source, but been unsuccessful, but really thought it worth sharing. Great job - I would love to see one created for Helen Clark and John Key.  Of course we've already seen Rodney Hide strut his stuff because our politicians really do go in for Dancing with the Stars on this side of the planet!  Who would be your favorite political pairing?  And wouldn't it be fun to see them all settle things in a dance-off. At least it would be more entertaining than some of the dire debates we have been subjected to here in New Zealand during the current campaign.