Kiwi FM Decision Deplorable

Government’s decision to allow a major commercial radio network to continue using a public FM frequency is proof it has no appreciation of the importance of public broadcasting, according to the Association of Community Access Broadcasters (ACAB).

ACAB Chair Mike Williams says allowing MediaWorks to broadcast Kiwi FM on a public frequency makes no sense and is a “huge slap in the face” for access radio markets which currently cannot get on to the FM spectrum.

There are 12 community access radio stations in New Zealand and all are non-commercial, not-for-profit services, governed by registered charities. Stations in two markets, Wellington and Palmerston North, have been told there is no chance they will ever have access to an FM frequency, forcing them to languish as AM services, which limits their reach to listeners.

“Yet here is Government happily continuing to hand over use of a public frequency to a big commercial player – you have to ask why MediaWorks is getting this special treatment. Putting it diplomatically, we find it difficult to understand the rationale,” says Williams. “Coming on top of the decision to cut funding to run TVNZ 7, we’re forced to question this government’s commitment to public broadcasting.”

According to Williams those who are in broadcasting for profit should have to pay their way and purchase frequencies from those available for commercial use, not occupy those which should be used for public, non-commercial services.

“If Kiwi FM is a viable idea, it will survive. If not, it won’t. Either way, it shouldn’t be propped up by Government while public services are ignored.”

Government supports community access radio through NZ On Air, which allocates less than $3 million to the sector. Funding has been static for four annual funding rounds and prospects of future increases are slim.

“Life is tough enough with what amounts to a sinking lid on our operational income from NZ On Air, so it’s a major insult to see MediaWorks benefitting this way – effectively shutting out services the community actually values,” says Williams. “We call on Government to end this agreement and do the right thing by the New Zealand public.”

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