National would dump TVNZ's charter

ONE NEWS: Changes are afoot for TVNZ if the National Party has its way.

The party has released a broadcasting policy which would mean fundamental changes for the state broadcaster and its funding arrangements.

National's proposing to do away with TVNZ's programming charter and the $15 million it gets every year to meet its charter commitments.

Instead the money will be allocated to New Zealand On Air with all broadcasters and independent companies able to access it for production purposes.

The policy is only a page long and has no details on future funding plans for any of the state broadcasters.

But National's Broadcasting spokesman Jonathan Coleman doesn't believe it's light on detail.

Coleman says any decisions about funding amounts for TVNZ and RNZ will be made when the Government sets its budget.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Helen Clark is criticising the National Party policy.

Clark says the policy implies National will take a great deal of money off TVNZ, despite the company being required to deliver the charter in the public interest.

She says National states it would continue to fund TVNZ - but won't say say how much would be spent, or where the money would go.

Criticism

NEW ZEALAND HERALD (abridged): Paul Norris, head of broadcasting at Christchurch Polytechnic and a former director of Television NZ news and current affairs, said the policy was the "first step to the sale of TVNZ".

Paul Norris predicted some programmes wouldn't get made if broadcasters were all behaving commercially.

"NZ On Air might think, 'Our objectives require more programmes for minorities - promotion of Maori language and culture and so forth - and we really want a programme about disabilities or something of that sort but we can't get a broadcaster to be interested in that'."

Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard said without TVNZ having charter obligations there was little point in keeping it as a state-owned broadcaster.

"The promise to retain ownership rings hollow. This policy is a Trojan horse privatisation down the track."

Mr Mallard was suspicious that a National government would also look to commercialise or even privatise Radio New Zealand.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the policy would degrade TVNZ's ability to act as a public-interest broadcaster.

Interviews

To hear Jonathon Coleman and Trevor Mallard speak, click here (from Radio NZ's Morning Report 8/7/08)

To hear Paul Norris speak, click here (from Radio NZ's Morning Report 8/7/08)