Press release

For immediate release

22 May 2012

Hundreds brave cold capital night to voice outrage

It was standing room only for latecomers at Wellington’s Save TVNZ 7 campaign meeting last night.

More than 400 people turned out to the Taranaki St meeting to listen to lend their support to the campaign to save the public service television channel, which is due to go off air on June 30.

Speakers included Victoria University media studies lecturer Dr Peter Thompson, long-time media commentator Tom Frewen, Labour MPs Clare Curran and Grant Robertson and ex-Green MP Sue Kedgley. The meeting was moderated by Back Benches frontman Wallace Chapman.

Many attendees were angry and disappointed that funding for public service television was deemed such a low priority by the current government.

However, there was also a clear determination not to give up, even if TVNZ 7 was no longer on the air.

Save TVNZ 7 spokeswoman Kirsty Fyfe said that during question time many Wellington residents expressed their resolve to support a long-term campaign to ensure access to public service television.

“There was a feeling that this group of meetings was just the start of a strong, ongoing grassroots movement. People are passionate about seeing high quality, New Zealand made programmes.”

Other Save TVNZ 7 meetings are taking place in Nelson on May 25, Christchurch on May 28, Palmerston North on June 6, Dunedin on June 7 and Hamilton on June 13.

ENDS

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