Up until recently I retained a forlorn hope that it was possible to create a hybrid public service/commercial TV operation, that was positively New Zealand oriented, presenting objectively the reality of life here, and abroad.
I wrote an open letter to Paul Goldsmith when he became minister of communication, outlining exactly how this could be done. It involved a very simple amendment to the Broadcasting Act 1989, adding TVNZ to Radio NZ to be funded directly from the public purse and removing it from The NZ On Air contestable public funding system.
This did not eventuate and I believe we are now beyond the point of no return. TVNZ is now just a commercial entity that happens to be owned by the taxpayer. It serves no more public good than any other commercial media.
I have ceased watching any programmes and would only use TVNZ+ to view Country Calendar, a programme with integrity. It retains a few good journalists such as Garth Bray and Jack Tame, but far too many are left wing and tabloid and love “gotcha” journalism. Whether it succeeds commercially or fails is of no consequence to me. Its sale/breakup value is not great, maybe $200-300 million, being fixed assets and cash in the bank.
In a small economy like ours, some public good funding of media makes sense, provided the funder is not ideological captured by any narrow group. I somehow doubt either NZ On Air or the Film Commission, are funding an adequate range of perspectives, and too many are being shut out one way or the other. Part of the problem I suspect is that left of centre folk are more likely to come up with programme proposals, than the right, This could be remedied by the decision makers being seen to be open to alternative thinking.
The other issue how does the public know about which programmes, video or sound, are funded? NZ On Air and the Film Commission, should find a way of ensuring the wider public is aware of any media outlets and content they have funded.
The rise of NZ First which, I expect is likely to continue, indicates something about how a growing dissatisfaction with the Wellington intellectual establishment, including media. This establishment has never been more out of touch with the rest of the country. It’s not just central government which has been undermined by zealots pursuing an agenda. I live in the capital and see what damage zealots in the Council staff have done to its residents. Zealotry has permeated the public sector generally – check out what the Taxpayers Union reveals from its many OIAs to see some of the mischief.
The NZ Initiative paper by director Oliver Hartwich, about who really runs the government, pinpoints a reality that’s not good for an enduring democracy. In essence Oliver argues the architecture of government leaves ministers responsible for everything done, but lacking the tools or levers to ensure the policies they want and elected on, are actually implemented successfully.
The tragedy is mainstream media seems to have little interest in this issue, even though it’s critical to our country having a credible democracy. There is alternative media, some of which is quite good, but hard for ordinary Kiwis to find and there are many rabbit holes for them to dive into.
Barrie Saunders has a background in Government Relations and blogs at www.barriesaunders.wordpress.com. - where this article was sourced.
This did not eventuate and I believe we are now beyond the point of no return. TVNZ is now just a commercial entity that happens to be owned by the taxpayer. It serves no more public good than any other commercial media.
I have ceased watching any programmes and would only use TVNZ+ to view Country Calendar, a programme with integrity. It retains a few good journalists such as Garth Bray and Jack Tame, but far too many are left wing and tabloid and love “gotcha” journalism. Whether it succeeds commercially or fails is of no consequence to me. Its sale/breakup value is not great, maybe $200-300 million, being fixed assets and cash in the bank.
In a small economy like ours, some public good funding of media makes sense, provided the funder is not ideological captured by any narrow group. I somehow doubt either NZ On Air or the Film Commission, are funding an adequate range of perspectives, and too many are being shut out one way or the other. Part of the problem I suspect is that left of centre folk are more likely to come up with programme proposals, than the right, This could be remedied by the decision makers being seen to be open to alternative thinking.
The other issue how does the public know about which programmes, video or sound, are funded? NZ On Air and the Film Commission, should find a way of ensuring the wider public is aware of any media outlets and content they have funded.
The rise of NZ First which, I expect is likely to continue, indicates something about how a growing dissatisfaction with the Wellington intellectual establishment, including media. This establishment has never been more out of touch with the rest of the country. It’s not just central government which has been undermined by zealots pursuing an agenda. I live in the capital and see what damage zealots in the Council staff have done to its residents. Zealotry has permeated the public sector generally – check out what the Taxpayers Union reveals from its many OIAs to see some of the mischief.
The NZ Initiative paper by director Oliver Hartwich, about who really runs the government, pinpoints a reality that’s not good for an enduring democracy. In essence Oliver argues the architecture of government leaves ministers responsible for everything done, but lacking the tools or levers to ensure the policies they want and elected on, are actually implemented successfully.
The tragedy is mainstream media seems to have little interest in this issue, even though it’s critical to our country having a credible democracy. There is alternative media, some of which is quite good, but hard for ordinary Kiwis to find and there are many rabbit holes for them to dive into.
Barrie Saunders has a background in Government Relations and blogs at www.barriesaunders.wordpress.com. - where this article was sourced.
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