The government has approved for consultation with the public and with the broadcasting industry the draft text of a charter for Television New Zealand, the Minister of Broadcasting, Marian Hobbs, announced today.

The draft charter indicates in broad terms the form of broadcast content TVNZ is to provide. It will apply to all those parts of TVNZ's operations that contribute to its broadcast content and it will be fulfilled predominantly through free-to-air services, Marian Hobbs said.

The draft charter will be available on the Minister of Broadcasting's web site (www.executive.govt.nz/minister/hobbs). 'Hard' copies will be sent to groups and individuals who have written to the Minister with their concerns.

Interested parties are invited to write to the Minister of Broadcasting, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, with their comments by October 31.

"TVNZ is the state-owned broadcaster and we want people's input into the Charter," she said.

Marian Hobbs said she is discussing with the Chair of TVNZ, Dr Ross Armstrong, how the aspirations of the draft charter might be given effect.

"It is government policy to retain TVNZ in state ownership and for it to operate according to a charter which will indicate what's expected of it," she said. "In fulfilling its charter it's important that TVNZ be allowed to operate flexibly.

"I have no intention of programming TVNZ. So long as TVNZ meets the terms of its charter, it should be free to decide how it does so.

"This will also ensure that TVNZ's editorial and creative independence is protected from political interference.

"The draft charter is a statement of objectives. It sets out in broad terms the kind of broadcast content TVNZ is to feature and aspects of the way it is to go about providing such content, such as by being innovative and using the talents of the broadcasting industry."

The draft Charter is attached.

DRAFT TVNZ CHARTER

Introduction

TVNZ will contribute to a sense of national purpose and identity and a pride in New Zealand’s diversity and extend the range of ideas and experiences available to New Zealanders.

For that purpose, TVNZ shall…

General

strive always to maintain the highest standards of programme quality and editorial integrity

feature programming across the full range of genres that informs, entertains and educates New Zealand audiences

ensure in its programmes and planning the participation of Maori and the presence of a significant Maori voice

maintain a balance between programmes of appeal to New Zealanders in general and programmes of interest to minority audiences

seek to be innovative in its content and to engage audiences in new experiences

Innovation and Leadership

encourage creative risk-taking and experiment

invest in and promote the talents and creative resources of New Zealanders and of the New Zealand film and television industry

invest in and promote the talents and creative resources of Maori and of the Maori film and television industry

play a leading role in New Zealand television by setting standards of programme quality and developing new forms of content

Maori Language and Culture

feature programming that promotes Maori language and culture to all New Zealanders and serve the interests and informational needs of Maori audiences through:

programmes in the Maori language

programmes promoting the Maori culture

programmes with Maori topics; and

acknowledge in its programming the significant place of Maori in the New Zealand population

Representation of Diversity

celebrate in its programming the diversity of cultures making up the New Zealand population, including the uniqueness of Maori culture

promote understanding of the contribution of New Zealand’s cultures to the nation’s development

National Identity/Citizenship

provide shared experiences that contributes to a sense of citizenship and national identity

feature programmes about New Zealand’s history and heritage

feature programmes about New Zealand’s natural history and heritage

feature programmes that increase the visibility of Maori history and culture

Information and Democracy

provide comprehensive, impartial, authoritative and in-depth coverage and analysis of news and current affairs in New Zealand and throughout the world

feature programmes that contribute towards intellectual, scientific and cultural development, promote informed and many-sided debate and stimulate critical thought

provide information that enhances the opportunities of all New Zealanders to participate in national or community life

Minority Interests

feature programmes that serve the varied interests and informational needs within New Zealand society

include in programming intended for a mass audience material that deals with minority interests

provide for the informational and entertainment needs of children and young people;

maintain and observe a code of ethics that addresses the level and nature of advertising to which children are exposed

appeal to tastes and interests not generally catered for by other television broadcasters

Promotion of the Arts

feature programmes that encourage and support the arts, including programmes featuring New Zealand and international performers, artists and arts companies

Sports and Leisure

reflect the role that sporting and other leisure interests play in New Zealand life and culture

Education

feature programming of an educational nature that supports the study activities and personal development of New Zealanders

Regions

feature programmes that serve the regions of New Zealand, and that reflect the regions to themselves and to the nation as a whole

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