ACT Broadcasting Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today labelled the extreme policies of the Alliance the worst enemy of quality broadcasting.

"Who wants Jim Anderton deciding what we have to watch on TV or listen to on radio? The Alliance wants to tell every electronic broadcaster in New Zealand what they can and can't play on their stations. This is a real threat to their businesses.

"The other side of quotas, that the Alliance won't talk about, is that New Zealanders are forced to listen to material that they would not voluntarily listen to. When you protect certain artists with quotas, you are denying other artists the opportunity to compete.

"There is a fantastic pool of local creative talent currently working to set themselves up and stamp their brand on broadcasting in this country. We should be encouraging and nurturing their talent by making it as easy as possible for them to get up and running. The Alliance would kill off those entrepreneurs in broadcasting with their extremist tax policies.

"What we need for our local talent to succeed is a fair and level playing field for all, not one where Jim Anderton decides whose career takes off or fails.

"A fairer way to assist New Zealand businesses and artists is to reduce the barriers to jobs and growth in the economy as a whole.

"Quotas are a barrier to the free exchange of ideas and taxation is another. Governments should not be telling us what to listen to and how to think.

"Of course, if we want to hear more of ourselves, we must support our local artists by listening to them and buying their products. In this way both artists and listeners get a better deal.

"Quotas lead to less freedom and do not reward excellence," said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

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