Rejection of Sky injunction a good for press freedom

MEDIA RELEASE
12 August 2016

Rejection of Sky injunction a good decision for press freedom

Today's decision to dismiss Sky's injunction on Fairfax Media's coverage is a win for New Zealanders, and for press freedom in New Zealand, said Sinead Boucher, Group Executive Editor, Fairfax Media.

“It is a great day for press freedom in our country. And it is a great day for all New Zealanders who want to follow and support our Olympic heroes,” said Ms Boucher.

Sky was unsuccessful in its attempt in the High Court in Auckland today to limit Fairfax Media's ability to cover the Olympics as a significant news event.

"We strongly believe we are covering the Olympics in Rio fairly and with integrity and we have been able to defend that position in the High Court over the last three days.

"It was a very aggressive approach by Sky to try and injunct us at short notice with the intent of restricting our news coverage. It was also significant we had strong support in court from TVNZ and NZME who shared our concerns about the right for media to cover events of national significance.

"We were unable to agree to the terms Sky was imposing because it would have significantly limited our ability to deliver the Olympic news. That decision has been vindicated.

"We believe all New Zealanders should be able to see the great moments of the Olympics, irrespective of whether they are Sky subscribers.

"Every day this week the most popular stories on Stuff are from the Olympics. That’s a demonstration of how important the Olympics are to New Zealanders.

"Every town in New Zealand has played a hand in getting a local athlete to Rio …. and they have a right to see them when they succeed.

"We acknowledge Sky’s rights. We just want to report the news as we have done for many years and with many Olympics and other events of national significance," said Ms Boucher.

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