Clare
CURRAN
Spokesperson for Broadcasting

17 January 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
NZ on Air should be politically neutral not politically neutered

Labour is concerned that New Zealand on Air, designed to be an independent government funding agency, might have been compromised by political interference from the National Party, says Labour’s Broadcasting spokesperson Clare Curran.

“NZ On Air appears to have been spooked into seeking legal advice on the types of programming broadcasters can schedule, following accusations from John Key’s electorate chairman Stephen McElrea, of political bias by the regulator just prior to the 2011 general election,” Clare Curran said.

“It has been revealed today that NZ on Air is considering adding a clause to the broadcast covenant that would require broadcasters not to screen programmes likely to be an election issue.

“This is a knee-jerk reaction which sets a most concerning precedent,” Clare Curran said.

“The decision results from unhappiness within the National Party after TV3 screened a fact-based documentary on child poverty in New Zealand four days before the general election.

“Surely we want voters to be as informed as possible NZ on Air should actively encourage broadcasters to screen programmes with political implications, as long as the programmes are balanced and allow the different sides of the debate to have their say.

“Given that NZ on Air is supposed to be a politically neutral agency, we are concerned that John Key’s electorate chairman was the board member to raise concerns about the documentary.

“If Stephen McElrea gets his way, the number of election-related TV programmes could decrease. This can only be bad for the state of our democracy. The broadcast media has a crucial role to play in communicating with the public during election campaigns, and Labour does not want to see that role undermined by politically-motivated interference.

“It is revealing that the National Party is getting worked up about a documentary on child poverty being screened just before an election. The only conclusion we can draw is that the Government is ashamed of its record.

“TV3 should be commended for screening a documentary about such an important issue,” Clare Curran said.

ENDS

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