Two Drinks Propaganda

So the Herald on Sunday (if you're not familiar, it's the tabloid sized and styled Sunday version of the NZ Herald), alongside the Herald and Herald website, launched a "campaign" called Two Drinks Max on October 24.

It's urging kiwis to pledge their name to only having two alcoholic drinks maximum before driving.

It is also trying to pressure the government to lower the drink driving limit from 80mg/100mL of blood to 50mg - what this means in real consumption terms has yet to be discussed. At the current limit, the most prevalant advice I've heard is that one can have two standard drinks in the first hour of drinking and one drink every hour after that (with food or a full stomach) without being above the limit. Obviously this would have to be revised and I'd quite like to know what the recommended maximum intake is for 50mg.

I've been known to drive after a couple of beers but I'm certainly no "drunk driver", and I'd like to stay that way. That means I'd like some more information, please.

My problem with the campaign is that I find it inappropriate. I don't think it's right for the biggest, most widely read newspaper in the country (the Herald, as I don't buy their Herald on Sunday / Herald distinction) to campaign so strenuously for laws to be changed. I think it subverts democracy and that their actions are no better than that of a special interest lobby. At least we know what they are trying to do but I really don't think it's the place of an impartial media outlet (as the Herald franchise is supposed to be) to use their significant propaganda power to try and change laws.

The first day of the campaign saw a publicity blitz, with messages of support from such media whores and quasi-celebrities as James Brock (son of race driver Peter Brock) Kylie Bax (model), Denise L'Estrange Corbet (fashion designer), Sara Tetro (host of NZNTM), Simon Barnett ("broadcaster"), Colin Mathura-Jeffree (judge on NZNTM), Mike Puru (radio host), Raybon Kan (comedian), Beth Allen (Shortland St), Celia Wade-Brown (Mayor of Wellington), Cybele Wiren (fashion designer), Nicky Watson (model), Amy and Corey Jane (rugby player), Bob Parker (Mayor of Christchurch), Owen Glenn (businessman), Greg Murphy (race driver), Kerre Woodham ("broadcaster") and many more attention-seekers glad to look like the good guy and get their picture in the paper.

Be it print or online, the Herald franchise is stuffed to the brim with testimonials and "stories" about how everyone in the country except National politicians want the drink driving limit lowered. Pics such as the below are all over the place, trying to steal some integrity by reminding everyone that even sort of famous people are behind the campaign.

I don't disagree with the message, but I definitely disagree with the medium and the objective. I seriously have a big problem with a newspaper taking it upon itself to try and get laws changed.

Perhaps Aussie-owned-(ish) APN News & Media (owners of the Herald, among others) are flexing their muscles to see how much power they have before offering their propaganda services to the highest bidder. Or perhaps they really do see it as their place to try to change laws in New Zealand. All I know is, it's propaganda plain and simple, and it's a worry.