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  I LIKE THE NATS BROADCASTING POLICYI suspect I won't be the only independent producer who is pleased with the appointment of Jonathan Coleman as Broadcasting Minister. He has spent his time in Opposition getting to know the industry and his plan to end the TVNZ monopoly on Charter funding will be widely welcomed. The New Zealand broadcasting reforms of 1989 essentially meant that the Broadcasting Commission (aka NZ on Air) was to perform the public broadcasting function in New Zealand. That way a largely independent production industry would be free to offer programmes to any broadcaster. It was years ahead of its time and it is ironic that it is one of the models currently being considered in Britain as more and more people question the relevance of the BBC. But the last Government's decision to duplicate that with a Charter and associated funding applicable only to TVNZ distorted the intention of the 1989 model. Nevertheless the Charter did give birth to "Agenda".We are a Charter funded programme. We are not eligible for NZ on Air funding because they currently do not fund Current Affairs progrmames. Trevor Mallard has already shifted administration of the Charter funding away from TVNZ to NZ on Air. The Nats have promised in their manifesto to open that funding up to programmes on any channel. Let's hope they do it as soon as possible and thus open up more opportunities for an independent current affairs production company like us. That way we really will see more of New Zealand on air! |
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