NZ On Air Eyes the Future

A focus on the future and the Government’s allocation of additional funding are two key themes highlighted in NZ On Air’s Statement of Intent for the 2005/2006 year, which has been presented in Parliament.

“This Statement of Intent once again draws on the five-year strategic plan NZ On Air published in 2003,” said NZ On Air’s Acting Chief Executive Bernard Duncan, “and also takes into account the Minister of Broadcasting’s Programme of Action, which he released early this year.

“Key to the strategic vision we outlined are the developments in digital technology as it relates to broadcasting, and how that is likely to affect our work in future. While we can’t predict the exact rate of change that will occur, or its specific direction, we know that there will be an impact, and we need to prepare for that.

“The research we have done shows us what has happened in other countries, with greater choices leading to audiences fragmenting, and in that environment, NZ On Air has to ascertain how to continue to reach diverse audiences in a variety of ways through radio and television,” he said.

NZ On Air’s Statement of Intent details the agency’s spending plans for television, radio, NZ music, archiving, and research and consultation over the coming year.

“Again this year, we’ve highlighted our intention to continue to strengthen industry partnerships, to build on our store of research, and also to strongly encourage innovation and diversity in broadcasting,” Mr Duncan said.

“And with the additional broadcasting funding allocated in the Budget this year right across the scope of our activities, it is heartening to be able to outline how our television funding will increase, and to indicate our plans for funding regional television for the first time.”

In the Government’s 2005 Budget, NZ On Air received additional funding for both non-commercial community radio and regional television, for Radio New Zealand, and for broadcast archiving. The NZ On Air music promotion budget also received a boost.

“We are looking at an extremely busy and exciting year ahead,” Mr Duncan said.

ENDS

NZ On Air’s Statement of Intent and other policy documents, and this media release are available on the NZ On Air website at www.nzonair.govt.nz

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