Clare
CURRAN
Broadcasting Spokesperson
3 September 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Government MPs mislead TVNZ7’s supporters

National MPs on the Commerce Select Committee have misled New Zealanders on the options for saving public broadcaster TVNZ7 in a report released today, Labour’s broadcasting spokesperson Clare Curran says.

“The Government members of the Commerce Committee have claimed in their majority report that there was never any suggestion that Government funding would continue for TVNZ7 beyond the contracted period.

“But Cabinet documents clearly show that there were proposals considered and then rejected by the National Government that could have kept TVNZ7 running.

“The Government members have also refused to hear the views of the 36,000 petition signees to save TVNZ7. It is unacceptable that this committee has demonstrated a lack of respect or consideration for their views and refused to hear from them.

“Labour believes that by refusing to allow the petitioners to be heard, the Government members of the committee have demonstrated a blatant disregard for democratic process, and we condemn this decision.”

© Scoop Media