AUCKLAND (Save TVNZ 7 / Pacific Media Watch): With just over a week to go before the New Zealand general election, the campaign to Save TVNZ 7 has stepped up with a policy and politician watch.
Campaigners have appealed to NZ voters to consider broadcasting policy and the future of the public digital channel, which features many good independent programmes such as Media 7, among the many issues facing the country at this election on November 26.
So, here are the parties’ policies in a nutshell:
Labour supports TVNZ 7: It would create an independent umbrella organisation for TVNZ 7 and Radio NZ, with a review of funding and other organisational matters. Labour has made mistakes in the past but the Save TVNZ 7 campaign believes the current policy is a good one.
The Greens support TVNZ 7: The Greens would turn TV One into TVNZ 7, back into a BBC-style national broadcaster. They would fund it by charging commercial networks like Sky for the right to use frequencies (as is done in Australia).
The Conservative Party, Mana Party, Māori Party, NZ First and United Future all support TVNZ 7 as well and, if elected, would help ensure it is properly funded.
National does not support TVNZ 7: Not only has the National-led government stopped funding TVNZ 7, it requires a substantial profit from TVNZ. As a result TVNZ has moved Kidzone and Heartland to Sky, will cut more local programming and make NZ On Air fund more commercial shows.
ACT does not support TVNZ 7: ACT does not have a broadcasting policy but past statements show they would sell TVNZ. Where that leaves TVNZ 7 is unknown.
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Pacific Media Watch
