Murdoch sale opportunity to review broadcasting and video content

The Government must include video content and broadcasting in its review of the telecommunications industry following News Limited’s decision to sell its stake in Sky Television, Labour’s communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran said.

“Today’s announcement is a clear signal by Rupert Murdoch that Sky’s dominant market position has changed forever with the increase in online video content from sources such as Quickflix, and Netflix.

“The Commerce Commission has said ownership rights of content are the critical factor behind the successful uptake of ultrafast broadband in New Zealand. The Commission is also investigating Sky TV’s contracts with telcos, which may be restricting competition. The Minister must acknowledge this and include online video content in its recently announced review of the telecommunications sector.

“Amy Adams has yet to announce the terms of reference for her review designed to bypass the Commerce Commission’s role in deciding the future price of copper broadband. Rupert Murdoch’s announcement today gives Amy Adams the opportunity to make her review a meaningful process rather than just a sop to keep Chorus’s investors happy.

“We must get the regulatory environment right on this. We are well overdue for a shared policy, regulatory and legislative framework for the broadcasting, telecommunications and internet realms.

“If the government wants its ultrafast broadband programme to succeed it had better get off its backside and pay attention.”
ends

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World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>