Passing of 'old-school' blunt style

The death of Sir Paul Holmes yesterday morning likely signals the passing of an ''old-school'' style of broadcasting based on forthright views as opposed to ''market research'', a University of Otago media lecturer says.

Sir Paul died at home, only two weeks after receiving his knighthood. He was 62.

Otago University department of media, film and communication lecturer Brett Nicholls said part of the reason why Sir Paul gained his place as a New Zealand media star was because he had ''forthright'' views and ''you knew where you stood with the guy''.

''For whatever you want to say about Holmes' particular leanings, he was quite forthright in what he had to say,'' he said.

Sir Paul's death likely signalled the passing of the ''old-school'' broadcaster, unafraid to express their viewpoint on the air.

''It's a totally different world these days ... Things are run by market research and audience statistics ... and guys running round with suits and clipboards saying `we need to pitch things to an audience'.''

It was unlikely anyone like Sir Paul would come along again, he said.

''It's a different kind of media personality these days.''

This could be seen in the difference between Paul Henry - who made his name by saying ''outrageous things'' - and Sir Paul, whose broadcasting had more ''content'' to back it up.

Veteran Dunedin broadcaster Neil Collins, who had met Sir Paul many times over the years, said he was a ''craftsman'' on the air and the best broadcaster the country had seen,''He treated his interview subjects fairly and firmly at the same time,'' Mr Collins said.

''I think he was an exceptional broadcaster, the likes which we hadn't known before.''

- vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz