Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Local content future more stable under Labour

Labour
2000 web siteThe admission from New Zealand on Air that it may be forced to drop the number of hours of funded local programmes was a bad omen for the preservation of New Zealand's culture and national identity, Labour broadcasting spokesperson Marian Hobbs said.

She said it highlighted the need for local content quotas as proposed by Labour.

"Local content on New Zealand television and radio is already low by world standards. We cannot afford to let it drop even further. Labour's proposed quota system would bring New Zealand in line with many other countries, like Canada, Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, which have recognised that local content quotas are a way of protecting and promoting their national culture.

"Labour plans a 10% quota which will be raised to 20% in consultation with the broadcasting and artistic industries. These quotas would be developed in consultation with broadcasters and artists and there would be different quotas for different genres.

"Given that the statements from the chairman of New Zealand on Air on the decline in local children's television programmes from 907 hours in 1997 to 613 hours in 1998, you can see why that is important. Just as worrying is the plan to fund only 13 hours of children's drama in the current financial year.

"Children's television programming will be a priority in Labour's broadcasting plans.

"Perhaps more than any other section of society, children need to see their own lives and culture reflected on the small screen. They need to be given the opportunity to see the uniqueness of New Zealand and to learn about different facets of New Zealand life. We don't want our children growing up as Young Americans because that is all they see on television."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.