Katherine Rich National Broadcasting Spokesperson

24 February 2002

Research shows youth don't want, or need Hobbs' radio

Research compiled by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage indicates that New Zealand's young people neither want nor need another government-funded radio station, says National's Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich.

"Only after significant explanation did any focus groups show any interest in the concept of a youth radio network.

"According to one report 'young people in all focus groups took a fairly dim view of the phrase youth radio'. They feared 'government involvement...a didactic approach including counselling and education - boring social programming.

"Yep, that basically sums up what Marian Hobbs has in mind," said Katherine Rich.

"According to another research document 'on average, radio reaches 92% of the youth market at some time during the week' and that 'young people are most likely to listen to the ZM, Edge, Rock, More FM and Channel Z stations' amongst others.

"That's close to saturation point of the youth market, given that not all people choose to listen to the radio at all in any given week.

"Information from her own officials clearly shows that there is no gap in the radio market and no groundswell of support from youth. If the Minister persists establishing a youth radio network purely so she can have a feel-good broadcasting announcement, it will be a blatant waste of taxpayers' money," said Ms Rich.

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