Suggestions for sharpening up TVNZ

United Future’s broadcasting spokesman Marc Alexander says the debacle over Judy Bailey’s massive salary increase shows the broadcaster’s bosses need a short sharp shock of commercial reality.

“If TVNZ wants to give their newsreaders a ‘competitive’ salary of $800,000 a year, then let TVNZ itself become competitive,” he said today.

“Why has the Government recently given TVNZ $14 million dollars to compete with TV3, Prime or SKY when they are expected to earn their own keep? So much for the free market and competition!

“What the Government should now do is reduce any payment it makes to TVNZ every year by $800,000.

“If TVNZ wasn’t given a ‘tax driven leg-up’ then they could pay who they want whatever they want. But it’s ‘our’ money and as good as Judy Bailey is, the head boffins of TVNZ ought to show more respect to the hand that feeds them.

“I simply cannot believe we don’t have any other talent around who would be more than keen to earn half as much to do as good a job.

“You cannot have it both ways. Either you’re in the ring with the big boys or you’re on the umbilical cord of dependence at the taxpayer’s expense.

“This debacle proves that there is nothing easier than spending someone else’s money. But as TVNZ is just another government agency, could anyone have been surprised?” said Mr Alexander.

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