Budget cuts take Radio NZ to the wire

Radio New Zealand bosses have admitted National’s budget cuts are taking the public broadcaster right to the wire, Labour’s Broadcasting spokesperson Kris Faafoi said today.

“Responding to questions around National’s budget freeze over the last six years, Radio New Zealand top brass said all ‘reasonable cost efficiencies’ had been made.

“Radio New Zealand said cost cutting could not go on ‘much longer’ and it would have to seriously look at cutting back on core functions in the near future if its situation does not change.

“Labour will ensure Radio New Zealand is properly resourced for the challenges and opportunities ahead of it. That is in stark contrast to National’s budget cuts.

“National’s track record over the past six years speaks for itself. It killed TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7, has frozen funding for Radio New Zealand and has yet to make a sound about whether it will reserve digital television spectrum for future public broadcasting use.

“Labour is committed to quality, independent, innovative public broadcasting and will ensure Radio New Zealand is equipped to take on the challenges and opportunities that digital technology and converging media will create.

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