11 August 2011

Radio New Zealand setting up a Charitable Trust for the Concert Programme shows the dire state of public broadcasting under the National Government, Green Party broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

Radio New Zealand registered as a charitable trust with the Charities Commission on July 26 2011 under the name Radio New Zealand Charitable Trust.

“At first I thought this was a joke. I am appalled to discover that it is serious proposition and that the Board of Radio New Zealand has been forced by the Government’s funding freeze on Radio New Zealand to set up a trust so that it can go out with a begging bowl to the public,” said Ms Kedgley.

“I am also alarmed to note that the name of the trust is the Radio New Zealand Charitable Trust.

“This suggests to me that it could be intended to have a wider purpose in the long term - namely to enable Radio New Zealand to solicit donations for its wider radio network, as well as the Concert Programme.

“The move suggests there is quiet desperation at Radio New Zealand. The broadcaster simply cannot make ends meet under the Government’s funding freeze.

“Clearly this Government has an agenda to undermine the last remaining public service broadcaster left in New Zealand. It wants to keep it in a weakened state, and on the back foot. It appears to be succeeding in its objective.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media