Media Release — 4 February 2015

Re: Radio NZ announces the return of Today in Parliament, The Day in Parliament, and The Week in Parliament.

The Coalition for Better Broadcasting (CBB) welcomes the return to Radio NZ of programmes focussing on parliament, but questions how Radio NZ can afford to improve and increase services without additional funding.

"Such programmes are important to keeping the public informed on what’s really going on in parliament, how democracy is respected (or not) in parliament, and what decisions our politicians are making on our behalf," said Myles Thomas, Chief Executive of the CBB.

“These programmes are another example of how public service broadcasting distinguishes itself from commercial rivals. Commercial formats wouldn't go near this level of political detail, yet these programmes are vital to informing New Zealanders of what our parliament is up to.

"The lack of an equivalent television broadcaster becomes more obvious as Radio NZ continues to offer better programmes.”

“These programmes will offer a much needed alternative to the tightly orchestrated stand-ups and press conferences that make up much political journalism. Radio programmes about parliamentary proceedings, offer an insight beyond the media spin, where all voices can be heard, and sometimes not as they would want to be.”

Unfortunately the government fails to recognise the importance of Radio NZ to our democracy. It continues to freeze Radio NZ funding at levels that were sub-standard back in 2008.

Improvements such as those announced today can only come at the expense of other Radio NZ services.

The CBB calls on the government to increase funding for Radio NZ, so that the broadcaster can continue to keep NZ informed on what our government is doing.

And the CBB commends Radio NZ for bringing more informative programmes to New Zealanders. “We and our many members look forward to hearing parliamentary events put into context by the Radio NZ gallery team.”

ends

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