Silly evasion by targets of TV 3’s Target program often turn a mistake into the appearance of entrenched dishonesty.

No doubt the program will never hound them for that again, after the program spokesman’s shifty performance this morning (Morning Report).

It should have been a simple “we mucked up. Our report on formaldehyde levels in Chinese clothes was an honest but careless mistake. We did not make sure we properly understood the science. We are deeply embarrassed because we are merciless on business carelessness and less than frank acknowledgement of mistakes”.

Instead he gave us a classic example of denial and evasion.