Music quota about turn

Katherine Rich
Opposition Broadcasting Spokesperson

10 April 2000

Music quota about turn

The Government's backtrack on quotas will be music to broadcasters ears, Opposition Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich said today.

"Helen Clark has admitted that the Government will aim to negotiate voluntary quota agreements rather than develop legislation.

"Before the election Labour stated clearly that compulsory NZ music quotas would be implemented and that they would start at 10% and rise to 20% overtime. "

"Labour will also introduce format specific quotas for the broadcaster of NZ programmes and music on all radio and free-to-air television. The NZ music quota will be set initially at 10% (currently 7.4%) rising as quickly as possible to 20%". -Marian Hobbs 28.9.99 Labour's Broadcasting Policy Launch

"Their poorly researched policy did not take into account the impact on New Zealand's trade agreements or the views of the industry that was already working hard to increase local content on our airwaves.

"Helen Clark must have realised that recent APRA released radio airplay figures showed that many radio stations were not only playing more than 10% New Zealand music but also that some were playing over 20%. This made any sort of compulsory quota unnecessary.

"The Prime Minister seems to be coming around to National's view that working with industry to increase the level of local content is preferable to, and more likely to work than, compulsion."

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