The Government may finally have a coherent view on broadcasting policy after the completion of two reviews announced today, said ACT Broadcasting spokesman Penny Webster.

Mrs Webster was responding to the Government’s announcement of a work programme into broadcasting policy issues. The programmes includes two high level policy papers dealing with transmission and related technology issues and public broadcasting objectives for ‘content’.

“It is great that the Government is finally committing its ideas and objectives to paper. With the recent flip flops in local content quota, it would be good for all concerned, if the subjects of debate were explicitly stated.

“This week we have seen the Government go from a position of firm, legislated levels of local content quota to suggestions that the quota levels could now be voluntary. Yet when Helen Clark is pressed to actually confirm her Government’s policy she resorts to the – it is not officially decided - position.

“I eagerly await the outcomes of this policy review so strong and coherent debate can be entered into. I believe the Government has been sparse with the true to New Zealanders about the true economic impacts of quota introductions,” said Penny Webster.

ENDS

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