31 October 2005
Fraser's resignation a symptom of TVNZ's split personality
Ian Fraser's allegations of political interference by the TVNZ board are extremely serious and need to be thoroughly
investigated by an inquiry that takes in the state broadcaster's contradictory mission, Green Party Broadcasting
Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.
Mr Fraser has resigned as Television New Zealand's chief executive after four years in the job, citing interference in
day-to-day running by a board of "political appointees".
"These are extraordinarily serious allegations by a respected broadcaster; if the public is going to retain any
confidence in TVNZ these matters must be fully investigated," Ms Kedgley says.
"At the least, the Commerce Select Committee, who are responsible for SOEs such as TVNZ, should take a look. However,
this may yet turn out to be so significant that an independent inquiry may be in order.
"A public broadcaster that receives substantial Government funding can't just be politically neutral - it must be seen
to be politically neutral. If nothing else, having its CEO cite interference as his reason for resigning brings that
appearance into question, so at the very least an inquiry is needed to re-establish public confidence that TVNZ is free
of interference.
"The protocols and practices that guarantee TVNZ's day-to-day independence need to be reviewed. How were they breached
and why?
"I believe it is critical that any inquiry looks at the entire picture, as it is pretty obvious to even the most casual
observer that all of this is just a symptom of TVNZ's split personality. Its dual mandate that requires it to fulfill
its Charter obligations while still returning a significant dividend to the Government is clearly unsustainable.
"The Green Party has been calling for some time for TVNZ to be given a much clearer public service focus, as happens
with state broadcasters in most other Western countries. Ian Fraser's resignation must be viewed as a wake-up call," Ms
Kedgley says.
ENDS