The New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters, will tell TVNZ that he will not take part in bizarre TV shows featuring “worms” because the issues facing New Zealanders are too important to be treated as cheap entertainment.

TVNZ is reported to be arranging an audience response tool, similar to the one used during election programmes in 1996.

Mr Peters said that TVNZ has an obligation to broadcast serious current affairs programmes that examine the real issues facing New Zealanders, and the political parties’ responses to these issues.

“Instead, TVNZ tends to trivialise, or place a spin on, just about everything that it pokes a camera at, and we will not be taking part in any American style TV sitcoms and gladiator shows.

“The other political leaders may feel that they should perform like circus clowns, but I would urge them to think seriously about boycotting these programmes.”

Mr Peters said that he had so far agreed to appear on two television programmes which he believed would deal with issues seriously.

He urged TVNZ programmers not to try to manipulate the election campaign with comedy shows and stacked audiences, but to concentrate on examining policies and questioning political leaders about their plans for the next three years.

“New Zealand is facing an economic and social crisis. The people know this and TVNZ should stop acting like its some kind of Jerry Springer show,” said Mr Peters.

Ends

© Scoop Media