INDEPENDENT NEWS

TVNZ Charter Review To Go To Next Stage

Published: Wed 12 Dec 2007 02:53 PM
TVNZ Charter Review To Go To Next Stage
The TVNZ Charter review process will go to its next stage this week when it is referred to Parliament's Commerce Select Committee.
The TVNZ Act 2003 says the TVNZ Charter must be reviewed by Parliament within five years of its implementation.
Earlier this year TVNZ put out for public consultation a suggested redraft of the Charter. The suggested redraft divided the Charter into seven themes "An Informed Society", "National Identity and Citizenship", "Maori", "Diversity", "High Standards", "Innovation" and "New Zealand Talent" - to give it clearer structure for the public.
The suggested redraft also tried to take into account that while TVNZ's main broadcasting services would remain for some time via TV ONE and TV2, additional programming content would become available to the public through the new digital channels TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7 and increasingly in future years through TVNZ ondemand, the TVNZ website and other media devices.
A Working Party of TVNZ and Ministry for Culture and Heritage officials, chaired by leading broadcasting academic Peter Thompson from UNITEC, considered 286 submissions from individuals and groups from New Zealand and overseas. The submissions varied from specific comments on the current and redrafted Charter to general subjective views on programming matters.
The Working Party considered all the submissions individually and was impressed by the thought that had gone into many of them. Its amendments to the suggested redraft balanced the interests of the different groups and the need to keep the document readable.
As a result of the public consultation, the Working Party's changes to the suggested redraft included the insertion of a new theme "Presenting New Zealand Overseas". A number of submissions, most notably from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and broadcasters from Samoa, the Cook Islands, Nuie and Tonga, suggested TVNZ replicate public service television Charters from around the world in presenting New Zealand and its culture offshore.
Other changes include strengthening the diversity section by the insertion of sub clauses about providing "programmes that support and encourage awareness of environmental issues and sustainable development" and "programmes that support awareness of business, commercial and financial matters". In the national identity and citizenship section a sub clause was inserted about the need to "strive to enable New Zealanders of all abilities to engage with the fullest range of programmes".
The Working Party also restored into the redraft the idea of TVNZ being an industry leader and, through its news and current affairs, its role as a watchdog of New Zealand's public and private institutions.
Most of the other changes to the suggested redraft were to do with consistency of terminology and clarifying meaning.
The report of the Working Party can be seen at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/816469/1501207. The current Charter, the initial redraft and the redraft to be sent to the select committee follow:
CURRENT CHARTER
The TVNZ Charter was formally implemented on 1 March 2003. The Charter shall apply to all those parts of TVNZ's operations that contribute to its broadcast content. It shall be predominantly fulfilled through free-to-air broadcasting.
TVNZ shall:
feature programming across all genres that informs, entertains and educates New Zealand audiences;
strive always to set and maintain the highest standards of programme quality and editorial integrity;
provide shared experiences that contribute to a sense of citizenship and national identity
ensure in its programmes and programme planning the participation of Maori and the presence of a significant Maori voice;
feature programming that serves the varied interests and informational needs and age groups within New Zealand society, including tastes and interests not generally catered for by other national television broadcasters
maintain a balance between programmes of general appeal and programmes of interest to smaller audiences
seek to extend the range of ideas and experiences available to New Zealanders
play a leading role in New Zealand television by setting standards of programme quality and encouraging creative risk-taking and experiment
play a leading role in New Zealand television by complying with free-to-air codes of broadcasting practise, in particular any code with provisions on violence;
support and promote the talents and creative resources of New Zealanders and of the independent New Zealand film and television industry
In fulfilment of these objectives, TVNZ will:
provide independent, comprehensive, impartial, and in-depth coverage and analysis of news and current affairs in New Zealand and throughout the world and of the activities of public and private institutions;
feature programming that contributes towards intellectual, scientific and cultural development, promotes informed and many-sided debate and stimulates critical thought, thereby enhancing opportunities for citizens to participate in community, national and international life;
in its programming enable all New Zealanders to have access to material that promotes Maori language and culture;
feature programmes that reflect the regions to the nation as a whole;
promote understanding of the diversity of cultures making up the New Zealand population;
feature New Zealand films, drama, comedy and documentary programmes;
feature programmes about New Zealand's history and heritage, and natural environment;
feature programmes that serve the interests and informational needs of Maori audiences, including programmes promoting the Maori language and programmes addressing Maori history, culture and current issues;
include in programming intended for a mass audience material that deals with minority interests;
feature New Zealand and international programmes that provide for the informational, entertainment and educational needs of children and young people and allow for the participation of children and young people;
maintain and observe a code of ethics that addresses the level and nature of advertising to which children are exposed;
feature programmes that encourage and support the arts, including programmes featuring New Zealand and international artists and arts companies;
reflect the role that sporting and other leisure interests play in New Zealand life and culture;
and feature programming of an educational nature that support learning and the personal development of New Zealanders.
REDRAFTED CHARTER
The Charter shall apply to all of TVNZ's operations that contribute to making its content available to New Zealanders. The Charter is predominantly fulfilled through TVNZ making this content available wherever and whenever New Zealanders wish to access it.
1. An Informed Society
To provide impartial and comprehensive information and national and international programming that is essential to having an informed and educated society, TVNZ will:
(a) Have programming across all genres;
(b) Strive for the highest standards of programming quality and editorial integrity;
(c) Provide independent, comprehensive, impartial and in-depth news and current affairs; and
(d) Feature programming of an educational nature.
2. National Identity/Citizenship
To provide entertaining and informative programming that reflects the diverse range of cultures and interests that contribute to an overall sense of who we are as New Zealanders, TVNZ will:
(a) provide shared experiences that contribute to a sense of citizenship and national identity;
(b) Feature programming that contributes towards intellectual, scientific and cultural development;
(c) Enhance citizens' opportunities to participate in public life by featuring programming that provides a forum for critical debate;
(d) Feature programming about the diverse cultures, history, heritage and natural environment of New Zealand; and
(e) Enable New Zealanders to have access to programming that deals with minority interests.
3. Maori
To provide entertaining and informative programming that reflects Maori interests, culture and language, and to convey these interests to a wider New Zealand audience, TVNZ will:
(a) Feature programming with a significant Maori participation and voice;
(b) Enable New Zealanders to have access to programmes that promote Maori language and culture; and
(c) Feature programming that serves the interests and informational needs of Maori, including language, history, culture and contemporary issues.
4. Diversity
To provide entertaining local and international programmes that serve the interests and needs of different audiences, including cultures, lifestyles, age and regions, and particularly those that may not be provided for in a purely commercial broadcasting environment, TVNZ will:
(a) Feature programming across all genres;
(b) Feature programming that caters for tastes not normally taken care of by other national television broadcasters;
(c) Balance the programming needs of general and smaller audiences;
(d) Feature programming that reflects the different cultures and regions of New Zealand;
(e) Feature New Zealand films, drama, comedy and documentaries;
(f) Feature programmes that educate, entertain and involve children and young people;
(g) Feature programmes that support, encourage and feature environmental awareness;
(h) Feature programmes that support, encourage and feature the sciences;
(i) Feature programmes that support, encourage and feature the arts;
(j) Feature national and international programming that reflects the role of sport and recreation in New Zealand; and
(k) Feature programming that supports and learning and personal development of New Zealanders.
5. High Standards
To promote high programming standards and editorial independence and integrity, TVNZ will:
(a) comply with free-to-air Codes of Broadcasting Practice, particularly around violence;
(b) comply with a code of ethics around the level and nature of advertising, particularly to which children are exposed; and
(c) strive for the highest programme quality standards and editorial independence and integrity.
6. Innovation
To promote innovation, risk taking and creativity, TVNZ will:
(a) Feature programming that extends the range of ideas and experiences available to New Zealanders; and
(b) Feature programming that encourages creative risk-taking and experimentation.
7. New Zealand Talent
TVNZ will support and promote the talents and creative resources of New Zealanders, including the independent television and film industries.
REVISED REDRAFTED CHARTER
As a public broadcaster TVNZ will play a leading role in New Zealand television, especially in respect of the principles laid out in its Charter. The Charter shall apply to all of TVNZ's operations that contribute to making its content available to New Zealanders. In fulfilling the Charter TVNZ will make this content available through free to air broadcasting and other media technologies.
1. An Informed Society
To provide impartial and comprehensive New Zealand and international programmes that are essential to having an informed and educated society, TVNZ will:
(a) Provide a range of programmes across all genres;
(b) Strive for the highest standards of programming quality and editorial integrity;
(c) Provide independent, comprehensive, impartial and in-depth news and current affairs;
(d) Promote democratic participation by examining the activities of public and private institutions;
(e) Provide programmes of an educational nature which support and encourages learning; and
(f) Provide programmes that extend the range of ideas and experiences available to New Zealanders
2. National Identity and Citizenship
To provide entertaining, educational and informative programmes that reflects the diverse range of cultures and interests that contribute to an understanding of who we are as New Zealanders, TVNZ will:
(a) Provide shared experiences that contribute to a sense of citizenship and national identity;
(b) Provide programmes that contribute towards intellectual, scientific, cultural, sporting and spiritual development;
(c) Enhance citizens' opportunities to participate in public life by featuring programmes that provide a forum for critical and many-sided debate;
(d) Provide programmes about the diverse cultures, history, heritage and natural environment of New Zealand, and its regions;
(e) Provide programmes that cater for minority interests;
(f) Provide programmes intended for general audiences that address minority interests; and
(g) Strive to enable New Zealanders of all abilities to engage with the fullest range of programmes.
3. Maori
To provide entertaining, educational and informative programmes that reflect Maori interests, including language, history, culture and contemporary issues, and to convey these interests to a wider New Zealand audience, TVNZ will:
(a) Provide programmes by, for and about Maori, involving significant Maori participation and perspectives; and
(b) Provide programmes intended for general audiences that promote Maori language and culture.
4. Diversity
To provide entertaining, educational and informative New Zealand and international programmes that serve the interests and needs of different audiences, cultures, beliefs, abilities, lifestyles, age groups and regions, and particularly those not provided for in a purely commercial broadcasting environment, TVNZ will:
(a) Provide programmes across all genres;
(b) Provide programmes catering for interests not normally provided for by other national television broadcasters;
(c) Balance the programme needs of general and smaller audiences;
(d) Provide programmes that promote understanding of New Zealand's diversity of cultures and regions;
(e) Feature New Zealand films, drama, comedy and documentaries;
(f) Provide programmes that educate, inform, entertain and involve children and young people;
(g) Provide programmes that support and encourage awareness of environmental issues and sustainable development;
(h) Provide programmes that support, encourage and feature the sciences;
(i) Provide programmes that support, encourage and feature the arts;
(j) Provide programmes that reflect the role of sport and recreation in New Zealand;
(k) Provide programmes that support awareness of business, commercial and financial matters.
5. High Standards
TVNZ will:
(a) Set the highest standards of programme quality, editorial independence and integrity;
(b) Comply with the Free-To-Air Code of Broadcasting Practice, which includes standards on violence and good taste and decency; and
(c) Comply with the codes relating to the level and nature of advertising, particularly that to which children are exposed.
6. Innovation
To promote innovation in form and content TVNZ will provide programmes that display creative risk-taking and experimentation.
7. New Zealand Talent
TVNZ will support and promote the talents and creative resources of New Zealanders, including the independent television and film industries.
8. Presenting New Zealand Overseas
TVNZ will reflect New Zealand to the Pacific region and to New Zealanders overseas.
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media