The Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman risks breaching the very legislation he steered through Parliament last year in his efforts to force Radio New Zealand to adopt a commercial approach, Green Party Broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.
The Radio New Zealand Amendment Act, which went through Parliament last year, makes it clear that Radio New Zealand must be an independent and 'commercial free' broadcaster — which the legislation says means 'without advertising or sponsorship'.
"Mr Coleman appears intent on undermining this mandate by making it more commercial, just as he has done with Television New Zealand," said Ms Kedgley.
"Radio New Zealand is the last remaining public service broadcaster in New Zealand with a clear mandate to serve the public interest rather than the commercial interests of its shareholder."
"The legislation stipulates that Radio New Zealand must ensure it is not influenced by the commercial interests of other parties."
Ms Kedgley said she believed the Minister was deliberately freezing the funding of Radio New Zealand to force it to become more commercial.
"His letter to the Board can only be interpreted as a threat - in which he suggests Radio NZ adopt alternative revenue models.
"The Minister's also risks interfering in the operational activities of Radio NZ by advocating for proposals - such as reducing the size of RNZ's Auckland office," Ms Kedgley said.
Link to the Radio NZ Amendment Act:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2009/0030/latest/DLM1102006.html
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