Media Release
18 February 2008

Broadcasting Regulation Review Public Workshops announced

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development will conduct a series of workshops on the Broadcasting Regulation Review in early March in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The workshops will promote discussion and facilitate public responses to two consultation documents released on 23 January alongside a review of broadcasting regulation. These are: Digital Broadcasting Review of Regulation Discussion Paper and Broadcasting and New Digital Media: Future of Content Regulation.

The papers review the impact of new digital technologies on the regulation of broadcasting.

The research report, two discussion papers and related cabinet papers are available at www.mch.govt.nz. Further information on the consultation process is also available www.mch.govt.nz and www.med.govt.nz.

The review seeks views and suggestions on a number of options. Respondents are being asked to consider in particular:

* whether the threats to an effective broadcasting and telecommunications market, and to the creation and distribution of diverse content, have been correctly identified;
* what regulatory change, if any, might be justified in response to perceived threats; and
* what specific actions might be considered by policy makers.

Feedback on both discussion papers is sought by 4 April 2008. It will then be analysed and if any regulatory change is proposed, further public consultation will be held on detailed options.

Workshops will be held as follows:

Auckland: Wednesday 5 March 2008, 10.00-12.30 pm, Ministry for Economic Development, Guedo Office (Kauri Room), 45 Queen St, Auckland.

Wellington: Thursday 6 March 2008, 9.30-12.00 pm, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, (Wharenui conference room) 1st floor, Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace, Wellington.

Christchurch: Friday 7 March 2008, 1.00-3.30 pm, Copthorne Hotel, (Parkview conference room), 776 Colombo Street, Christchurch.

Māori Stakeholder
Hui (Wellington): Tuesday 11 March 2008, 10.00 am -1.00pm, Te Puni Kokiri, 143 Lambton Quay, Wellington.

These workshops are closed to news media for reporting purposes.

ENDS

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