TVNZ Charter disappointing

The Green Party welcomed today's draft TVNZ Charter as a step in the right direction but was disappointed it failed to deal with issues such as violence and advertising around children's programmes.

"We welcome a document that spells out TVNZ's obligations to reflect New Zealand identity and culture," Green Party Broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said.

"But we are very disappointed that it doesn't deal with important social issues such as reducing the levels of violence screened on television, removing advertising from children's programmes and ensuring that New Zealand children see themselves and their stories reflected on New Zealand television," she said.

"As a public broadcaster, TVNZ should be taking a lead in reducing the amount of violence that is screened on television," Ms Kedgley said.

Ms Kedgley said she was disappointed too, that the proposed Charter was not more specific in its commitment to provide New Zealand children's programmes which reflect New Zealand children and their own stories.

She said thousands of New Zealand children were growing up spending more time in front of television sets than at school. Yet these children rarely, if ever, see New Zealand children or even New Zealand landscapes reflected on their television screens.

"Our children grow up learning more about Los Angeles than they do about their own communities. This is a disturbing trend which will reflect on our future as a nation," Ms Kedgley said.

"A vague reference to providing for the informational and entertainment needs of children and young children would not address this issue. There needs to be a specific requirement in the Charter that TVNZ will screen New Zealand children's programmes which show New Zealand children and their stories."

Ms Kedgley said the Labour Party made a pre-election pledge to eliminate advertising from children's programming, and she was disappointed that that commitment was not reflected in the proposed TVNZ Charter.