Fraser victim of schizoid brief

National's Broadcasting spokeswoman, Georgina te Heuheu, says it is little wonder Ian Fraser wants to leave TVNZ, given the impossible brief the Labour Government has given the state broadcaster.

She is commenting on reports today that Mr Fraser, TVNZ's Chief Executive, is set to resign.

"The requirements of TVNZ's charter do not sit at all comfortably with the requirements of a commercial operation in a cut-throat market. It was inevitable that something would have to give – it looks like it will be Mr Fraser.

"It's no wonder Mr Fraser wants out – he is in an impossible situation.

"TVNZ has a politically appointed board operating in an environment were there is a schizophrenic relationship between charter demands and commercial success. This was always going to be an unworkable situation and it is wide open to political interference from Government to Board, and from Board to management.

"The Minister of Broadcasting needs to decide if he wants TVNZ to be a commercial success or not.

"Surely even Steve Maharey can see that his fancy broadcasting model isn't working. It's time he admitted it and did something about it to stop the dramatic slide in news ratings," says Mrs te Heuheu.

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