Govt can't seriously claim credit for NZ Idol

"Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey must have lost his marbles if he thinks the Government can seriously claim any of the credit for the successful New Zealand Idol series," says National's Georgina te Heuheu.

She's commenting on a statement from Mr Maharey who says 'while it was just a portion of the total cost, public funding through NZ on Air to Television New Zealand ensured the series got off the ground'.

He goes on to suggest that 'the Government's promotion of cultural and social objectives through mechanisms like ... TVNZ's new public service mandate is paying off'.

"What rubbish. TVNZ has a long way to go before it is seen as delivering on the promises contained in the charter," says Mrs te Heuheu.

"I'm sure Mr Maharey does not need to be reminded that NZ on Air was established BEFORE the Labour-sponsored charter.

"As Mr Maharey acknowledges, the public funding through NZ on Air to Television New Zealand was only a portion of the total production costs.

"This is a spin-off from a formula that's been used overseas. Despite its uniquely New Zealand flavour it could just as easily have been made for TV3.

"It's utter nonsense and blatant political opportunism for this Government to claim any credit for the success of the series," says Mrs te Heuheu.

© 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>>