People’s Commission on Public Broadcasting & Media launches

Wednesday, 15 February 2017, 9:19 am
Press Release: ActionStation

EMBARGOED UNTIL WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 6AM

The People’s Commission on Public Broadcasting and Media launches: A crowdfunded investigation to make media and public broadcasting work better for New Zealand

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Public inquiry into state of public broadcasting and media
WHEN: February - March 2017 (workshops around the country)
WHO: ActionStation and Coalition for Better Broadcasting

A strong, independent media is an essential part of any functioning democracy. But in recent years the media landscape has been dramatically altered by the explosion of digital publishing, radical shifts in where advertising dollars are spent, and a funding freeze on public broadcasting, amongst other things. Many people worry that balanced public interest media may be at risk.

ActionStation and the Coalition for Better Broadcasting have joined forces with a diverse group of six industry experts to launch a crowdfunded public inquiry into the current state, and future prospects, of public interest broadcasting and media in New Zealand.

The six panelists will travel the country (dates and location of workshops listed below) holding collaborative workshops with the public and other media experts before compiling a report on the state of public broadcasting and media, with a short list of recommendations for how it can be improved. This report will be presented to the Government before Budget Day.

“We want the public to come along and tell the panel what’s important to them, what’s wrong and how to fix it” says Director of the Coalition for Better Broadcasting Myles Thomas. “The panelists are making it interactive and engaging, and they plan to listen, probe and provoke”.

The workshops are open to everyone and will be held in a range of venues including cafes, community centres, and library spaces. A website, launched today, allows people to make a submission online as well

“We’ve selected a range of engaging panelists to lead the inquiry, from across the political spectrum and with a diversity of backgrounds and industry expertise. We are looking for a balanced and comprehensive view of the state of public broadcasting and media in our country with sound recommendations on how it can be improved,” says Co-Director of ActionStation Marianne Elliott.

The panelists are:

• Kay Ellmers (Producer/Director at Tumanako Productions)
• Shamubeel Eaqub (Economist and Author)
• Lizzie Marvelly (Journalist, blogger and social media campaign creator)
• Mark Jennings (ex-Head of News MediaWorks)
• Bill Ralston (Journalist and Broadcaster)
• Lance Wiggs (Investor and business blogger)

“The explosion of digital media has turned the media industry on its head. While there are many talented and principled journalists committed to solid reporting and investigation, conflicting interests combined with malignant external forces have eroded the public’s trust in journalism” says panelist Lizzie Marvelly.

“Like it or not today people’s expressed preferences through pageviews are for entertainment news-candy rather than politics, economic and social policy broccoli,” says panelist Lance Wiggs.

“We need trusted independent journalism providing citizens with the information they need to participate meaningfully in our democracy,” says panelist Kay Ellmers.

The inquiry’s goal is to make that a reality.

Workshop Details:

Light refreshments will be served at the workshops.

Website is here: www.makeourmediabetter.org.nz

ENDS

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