The public broadcasting charter for Television New Zealand has been approved by the Government and will be implemented from July 1, 2002, the Minister of Broadcasting, Marian Hobbs, announced today.

"The charter is similar to that of our other public broadcaster, Radio New Zealand and sets outs objectives and goals for TVNZ's broadcast content," Marian Hobbs added.

About 170 submissions were received after the draft charter was published for public consultation. More than 70 per cent supported it in general.

"These submissions were analysed independently and worked through with TVNZ," Marian Hobbs said. "We now have a more concisely expressed document."

She is asking Parliament's Commerce Select Committee, which is currently reviewing Radio New Zealand's charter, to consider how both charters could be monitored to ensure the broadcasters meet their obligations.

"I am aware that TVNZ has also been considering how monitoring might be achieved," she said.

"The charter establishes the standard we wish to reach in public broadcasting on television.

"Decisions on how the charter goals will be reached, including the structure of TVNZ, cost and method of funding, will be made soon.

"I would expect the implementation of the charter to be gradual."

(Charter attached)

Charter

The following charter shall apply to all those parts of TVNZ’s operations that contribute to its broadcast content. It shall be predominantly fulfilled through free-to-air broadcasting.

TVNZ shall

In fulfilment of these objectives, TVNZ shall

- provide independent, comprehensive, impartial, and in-depth coverage and analysis of news and current affairs in New Zealand and throughout the world and of the activities of public and private institutions;

- feature programming that contributes towards intellectual, scientific and cultural development, promotes informed and many-sided debate and stimulates critical thought, thereby enhancing opportunities for citizens to participate in community, national and international life;

- in its programming enable all New Zealanders to have access to material that promotes Maori language and culture;

- feature programmes that reflect the regions to the nation as a whole

- promote understanding of the diversity of cultures making up the New Zealand population;

- feature New Zealand films, drama, comedy and documentary programmes;

- feature programmes about New Zealand’s history and heritage, and natural environment;

- feature programmes that serve the interests and informational needs of Maori audiences, including programmes promoting the Maori language and programmes addressing Maori history, culture and current issues;

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

- feature programmes that provide for the informational and entertainment needs of children and young people and allow for the participation 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;

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

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

- and feature programming of an educational nature that support learning and the personal development of New Zealanders.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>