Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Labour TV turns viewers off in droves


Labour TV turns viewers off in droves

The Government must pull the plug on charter TV following a slump in ratings, a drastic dip in the annual dividend and yet another scandal surrounding Brian Edwards, according to National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

"TVNZ is in real trouble. The dividend's fallen drastically and Government meddling is only serving to make things worse," says Mrs Rich.

She's commenting in the wake of figures that show there's been a 31% slump in the TVNZ audience between 930pm and 1030pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.

"There's no coincidence that they're the slots occupied by 'Charter' flagships including Face to Face with Kim Hill and Edwards at Large.

"Labour's ideology is eroding the value of a key Government asset, as viewer numbers die away so too will advertising revenue," says Mrs Rich.

"The New Zealand public have voted against the charter with their remote controls, and it's time Labour abandoned this experiment in social engineering," she says.

Mrs Rich is also questioning the actions of the Broadcasting Minister during the Paul Holmes, Kofi Annan affair. Steve Maharey's since said 'it might not have happened on our television station - but I can tell you very clearly that the charter means that we represent everybody in this country, and we would not tolerate anybody being marked out in a way that would be derogatory'.

"Mr Maharey has clearly applied political pressure on Television New Zealand management - and that is inappropriate.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"If the Minister's to be consistent, he must now call for the head of Dr Brian Edwards, who has clearly stepped over the line between political activist and TVNZ broadcaster," says Mrs Rich.

Dr Edwards has used a speech to attack ACT MP Rodney Hide as a 'venomous gutless little man' and Parliament's Speaker who 'tends to say whatever the minister says' is an answer at Parliamentary question time.

"What are his comments about Mr Hide if not 'derogatory'? Clearly the Minister has said that this sort of comment will not be tolerated at TVNZ.

"The writing should now be on the wall for Edwards at Large with the rest of Labour's 'Charter' initiatives following soon after," says Mrs Rich.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.