17 June, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

E tū begins work on media merger Commerce Commission submission

E tū says its journalist members and the union have begun work on their Commerce Commission submission on the proposed merger of NZME and Fairfax New Zealand Limited.

The Commission this week released the key issues it will consider as it decides whether to approve the merger.

E tū’s National Media Organiser, Paul Tolich says the impact of a merger on competition is the guiding principle, but what is in the public interest will also be considered.

He says the public interest lies at the heart of the issues E tū will raise in its submission, including concerns about protecting the diversity and quality of news gathering as well as diversity of opinion.

“The brief from the Commission includes consideration of what will be in the public interest and ultimately we believe diversity best serves those interests as does the widest possible gathering of news at its source by professional journalists”, says Mr Tolich.

“This is also vital to the preservation of public debate. The best defence of democracy is a vital and vigilant news media.”

Mr Tolich says E tū and its journalist members will also argue for safeguards to protect editorial independence from political and commercial pressure.”

ENDS

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