Quotas: How Bizarre!

Tuesday, August 14 2001
Penny Webster Press Releases -- Broadcasting

Quotas for radio stations are bad news, no matter what language the Broadcasting Minister tries to couch them in, ACT Broadcast Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"Imposing a twenty-five percent 'voluntary quota' of New Zealand music on radio stations is ridiculous. Ms Hobbs' comments in the House today that musicians 'need a boost' in this country are bizarre. Musicians like OMC, Split Enz, Kiri Te Kanawa and John Rowles succeeded without any quotas. New Zealanders of all walks of life make it on their own merit - we certainly don't need this Government nannying them along.

"It is scary when the Government wants to control what we watch on TV or listen to on the radio. New Zealanders want to exercise choice when they tune in to a radio station, not go for this politically correct nonsense.

"Ms Hobbs is not happy imposing her will on private broadcasters - she also announced today she is 'considering all options' on youth radio. There's only one option she should be contemplating, and that is to leave the marketplace alone. Youth are already well-catered for. State radio for youths is a complete waste of money, and would harm the businesses already catering to this group.

"All this talk of local quotas, state radio and the moves with TVNZ are like something out of a scary past, not a move to an IT future. A quota is just a quota, whatever you call it - and this is a quota," Mrs Webster said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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