Government Meddling Deals Blow to TVNZ

Wednesday 31 Oct 2001 Penny Webster Press Releases -- Broadcasting

Government meddling and the Charter have caused TVNZ's digital aspirations to amount to nothing, ACT Broadcasting Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"New Zealanders will be grateful that a deal between TVNZ and Sky has finally been reached, however it is incredibly frustrating that Government meddling has meant resolution took so long.

"TVNZ's own digital aspirations have been sunk by the Government. The state broadcaster's first plan was rejected. Then Telstra Saturn was scared off by the Charter and Marian Hobbs.

"This is another example of a government that doesn't comprehend business.

"Today's announcement is good news for television viewers. Unfortunately, it is bad news for our taxpayer-funded television station," Mrs Webster said.

ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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