The news that Native Affairs, an award winning show on Māori Television, is to be cut down to half an hour and to a sole presenter is disheartening and a step in the wrong direction, the Green Party said today.
“I have been on this show many, many times, and have enjoyed the robust exchange of viewpoints. People need the space to have these important conversations about the issues that confront our communities,” Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Marama Davidson said today.
“This decision adds fuel to the concerns about the management of Māori Television.
“Cutting back the presence of a flagship show such as Native Affairs sends a chilling message to other media and the New Zealand public about the priorities at Māori Television.
“The media in New Zealand are under immense pressure from their management, and solid investigative journalism will suffer as a result.
“Māori have benefited immensely from having a light shone onto the issues and events that affect us directly. We need to maintain ways of telling our own stories, of calling leaders to account, and being able to share in each other’s successes.
“Native Affairs was a cutting-edge authority for insight into Māori current affairs. In recent times we have seen the programme move away from that stronghold, and this latest cut back is deeply disappointing,” Ms Davidson said.
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