31 October 2001 Media Statement

Minister welcomes TVNZ/Sky deal

Broadcasting Minister Marian Hobbs says she’s pleased TVNZ and Sky Television have reached agreement for TV ONE and TV2 to be available on the Sky digital platform.

“I’ve been concerned that TVNZ risked losing viewers because Sky customers couldn’t access One and Two easily via the hand-held remote,” she said.

“In the longer term however my concern is still to ensure all New Zealanders have access to the choice and opportunities that digital can offer.

"This requires setting a direction that supports open access and open standards for one set top box for consumers.

"These matters are being investigated and considered at the moment.”

ENDS

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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>>