RODNEY HIDE: Hosking’s “Impeccable Sources”: Pure Prebble Theatre, Zero Substance
- Administrator
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
Mike Hosking’s claim of “impeccable sources” naming five National MPs as leakers is straight out of the Richard Prebble playbook. The veteran ACT leader was a master of the device: “usually reliable sources,” “reliable sources inform me,” “my sources tell me.” It sounded insider-ish, carried a ring of truth, and kept the story pumping for another news cycle.
In August 2000 Prebble told Parliament and the press: “Usually reliable sources have told ACT that the Cabinet has already made a decision to scrap the proposed Orion upgrade.” In December 2022 his NZ Herald column declared: “Usually reliable sources say the Defence Minister Peeni Henare… is not going to…” He deployed the line relentlessly as ACT leader and later commentator.
As a fresh MP I sat mortified in the House wondering what on earth these sources were. Then I learned the genius. Journalists reported it dutifully—not because they believed every word, but because it might be true, the speculation was real, and it gave them an easy story. Sometimes it proved accurate. Most times it was educated mischief. The point was never iron-clad proof. The point was momentum. And "news". Preb is a master.
Hosking did exactly that. He dropped five names on air, waved his impeccable sources like a wand, and let the outrage machine churn. National MPs deny it. Some threaten Media Council complaints. The story lives. Prebble would applaud the technique.
Here’s the reality check: anyone in politics or media citing anonymous sources is peddling unreliable speculation. Full stop. Real evidence has names, documents, or on-the-record quotes. Shadowy “impeccable sources” are for political operators wanting the headline without the accountability.
Prebble turned making news into performance art. Hosking is merely the latest act. But there is a difference: Preb was a politician. Journalists and radio hosts citing anonymous sources are doing politics, not news reporting.
Rodney Hide is a former minister and leader of the ACT Party
As a lifetime National supporter, I am disgusted by the significant difference between luxon's law & order campaign promises & his Government’s deliverables. luxon has failed to deliver on one of his main 2023 campaign promises – to be “incredibly serious about law & order”.
police’s crime data statistics. Nationwide, since luxon's government was formed on 27 November 2023: – sexual offence has Increased 2.5% – assault has Increased 2%
There is not a single 'significant' population centres where safety & security has improved! luxon is not, as promised, ‘winning the war on crime’!
The failed extra 500 frontline police initiative was largely mark mitchell’s fault. When mitchell extended recruits training from 16 to 20 weeks, Police had to ‘retool’ their resources etc. This…
To be credible the source should grow a spine and divulge the story or shut up.
Yes and Michael Hosking is one of the most high profile radio breakfast hosts in the country and of course, informed sources advise, the most highly paid. He has been around for a long time now and so would he have not learned long ago, that these tactics, attributed to Mr Prebble work, and so may well originate from the Hosking man himself with an eye to keeping himself in the top spot and thus enabling him to retain his substantial salary, reputedly, according to a recent newspaper article, to be near or at the $1 million mark. Money can be great driver and motivator.
100% Rodney. Thank you.
Hosking is a radio jock so he will talk things up and provide his opinions on any subject, in his own inimitable style - nothing new there.
Most of us know which party and which politicians we support, whether the media noise arrives from the left or the right.