Green Party Broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today the Government needs to move swiftly to regulate for open access to the digital television network.

"Now that TVNZ has agreed to use the Sky digital platform to broadcast public service television, the Government will need to act quickly to keep access open," she said.

"Otherwise public service television will be at the mercy of an international broadcasting monopoly which will set the terms and conditions for broadcasting public television."

Ms Kedgley said if the Government failed to regulate for open access, TVNZ would cease to be a national broadcaster and would be relegated to a content provider.

"If the Government doesn't intervene soon, we will end up with a digital broadcasting monopoly in New Zealand, just as we currently have a telecom monopoly over the local copper wire network."

Ends

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