Sunday Morning for Sunday 15 December 2013
8:12 Insight: What's NZ done for human rights in Sri Lanka?
The recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka was dominated by debate about human rights abuses including alleged war crimes, intimidation, and in some cases even abduction. Several leaders refused to attend the meeting. But John Key says the history of New Zealand diplomacy shows engagement is more successful than boycotting.
So was attending the right decision?
Radio New Zealand's chief parliamentary reporter, Jane Patterson, travelled to Sri Lanka and followed not only the diplomatic exchanges, but also spoke to families who have had sons, daughters and husbands abducted.
Produced by Philippa Tolley.
8:40 Kei Miller – Under the Saltire Flag
Just two countries have a saltire cross on their flags and poet and novelist Kei Miller lives between them. From Jamaica, Kei Miller now teaches creative writing at the University of Glasgow, and he’ll be in New Zealand next year for the New Zealand Festival.
9:06 Mediawatch
Mediawatch talks to a journalist who’s lifted the lid on the loose and lazy use of language in the media. But does it really matter as long as the meaning is clear? And why is the Oxford English Dictionary telling us not to take ‘literally’ too literally any more? Also: Media moguls putting up paywalls in Australia; and Nelson Mandela himself said he was no saint – but the media took no notice.
Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Jeremy Rose.
9:40 Jennifer Ward-Lealand – Singing Brel
Jacques Brel had a major influence on modern music. His songs have been covered by legends like Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Nina Simone. Jennifer Ward-Lealand is singing in Brel – an interpretation of Jacques Brel’s songbook – at the New Zealand Festival.
10:06 Ideas: Young Activists
A few weeks back we heard from three of the country’s youngest politicians, and this week we’re speaking to three young people who are no less passionate about bringing about change through political actions but have chosen to do so in quite different ways. Finlay talks to Unite Union regional organiser Heleyni Pratley, who is also a member of Fightback; Jordan Williams, executive director of the Taxpayers’ Union; and Paul Young, Solutions and Strategy Researcher for Generation Zero.
Produced by Jeremy Rose.
10:55 Today’s Track
‘Are You Listening Lord?’ By The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer, from the 2013 album, Checkered Past.
11:05 Down the List
The final instalment of the popular Down the List for 2013 might be at the list MPs’ office Christmas party, or it might be with a plane-load of politicians going to South Africa. Who knows? Listen and learn …
Down the List is written by Dave Armstrong and produced by Adam Macaulay and Duncan Smith from the RNZ Drama Department.
11:12 Baroness Caroline Cox – Modern Slavery
News last month that three women had been held as slaves in London for 30 years reminded many of us that slavery has not gone away. Baroness Caroline Cox knows this – she’s a campaigner against slavery and has controversially bought slaves – in order to free them. In the latest edition of her book, This Immoral Trade, Baroness Cox and other contributors report on the different forms of contemporary slavery.
This Immoral Trade, by Baroness Caroline Cox and others, is published by Lion Hudson: Monarch.
Caroline Cox is director of the humanitarian agency HART.
11:40 Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint
This week Wayne takes some characteristically fresh perspectives on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, and Finlay follows up with Melbourne-based academic Binoy Kampmark.