PM has lift-off into blogosphere

Prime Minister Helen Clark has entered the blogosphere, posting a rebuttal to The Press political reporter Colin Espiner's On the House blog over her criticism of journalism standards.

The political blog On the House featured comments by the Prime Minister to a journalism conference in Wellington this week, in which she said many journalists were "too young to remember history" and had wide gaps in their general knowledge.

She singled out the political editors of the two main television networks, saying they were not old enough to remember seminal events in the country's history such as the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam or the 1981 Springbok tour. She also questioned the practice of senior political writers posting blogs, suggesting that its instantaneous nature did not give commentators the necessary time to build an informed opinion.

The Prime Minister's comments prompted spirited debate on the blog, with reactions from readers ranging from complaints that journalists had insufficient background in maths and science to accusations that Clark was simply attacking the messenger.

In response, Clark, through her press secretary, Juli Clausen, posted what is believed to be the first blog posting by the Prime Minister.

"You've managed to write nearly 600 words about an event that you didn't attend, but were happy to blog about on the basis of a story in another newspaper, written by another reporter – who also wasn't there," Clausen posted.

In Parliament, National leader John Key accused the Prime Minister of shooting the messenger.

"Is it not becoming a hallmark of this Government that it simply attacks the motives of people and organisations that dare to disagree with or challenge the Government?" Key said.