What we do in the privacy of our room defines character,
argues Bob McCoskrie. Further, the media should show the same
level of indignation towards their promotion of the
pornography industry as they have towards Shane Jones.
In response to the viewing choices of Labour MP Shane Jones
in his hotel room, both Labour leader Phil Goff and deputy
leader Annette King said that what their MPs did in the
privacy of their room was none of their business.
While we always hope that our private attitudes and actions
do not receive the same scrutiny as our public and outward
appearance and words, they can not be separated, because they
define character. What we do in private manifests itself in
the quality of our integrity, morality and leadership in the
public domain.
Watching a movie containing bestiality or necrophilia, having
an extra-marital affair, getting drunk and passing out, or
purchasing the services of a prostitute can also happen in
the privacy of our room and are completely legal. But are
they right?
It is significant that while National MP Tim Groser has
maintained his current status in parliament despite raiding
the mini bar - in the privacy of his room - there has been a
furore over Mr Jones' purchase of porn in his room.
It's ironic, because the media have attacked the issue of
porn viewing while turning a blind eye to the fact that they
themselves have marketed, broadcast, promoted, and peddled
the pornography industry for years. Broadcasting standards is
an oxymoron in this country.
The indignation being shown towards Mr Jones needs to be
redirected towards the increased availability and exposure of
pornography not just in hotel rooms but on free-to-air
television, radio, billboards, in print, and when and where
children can be exposed to it.
It's everywhere, and that must change. And the media should
show the same level of indignation towards their promotion of
the pornography industry as they have towards Mr Jones.
The public's uneasiness with a politician purchasing blue
movies is part of an overriding public stigma - and a healthy
one at that - against pornography.
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