ACT leader and shareholding minister David Seymour has intensified his criticism of state broadcasters Radio New Zealand and TVNZ, suggesting changes to RNZ’s leadership could follow upcoming board appointments.
Seymour criticised RNZ’s hiring of veteran broadcaster John Campbell for Morning Report and accused TVNZ of political bias, also questioning whether political editor Maiki Sherman could credibly remain in her role.
RNZ strongly defended its “editorial independence”, with outgoing chair Jim Mather warning that political commentary linking board appointments to editorial direction risked undermining public trust.
Seymour denied breaching broadcasting laws, saying ministers were entitled to comment on declining audience numbers and public confidence, while Media Minister Paul Goldsmith said the government’s role was limited to appointing boards and setting broad expectations.
Referring to Sherman, Seymour told media, “I’m sure that the board and management will be seeing that, you know, it’s pretty difficult to have someone credibly fronting the news every night when everyone knows how she behaves. I think that’s going to be tough for them.”
Regarding RNZ, he said, “RNZ should not be surprised to hear these concerns. Since 2020, RNZ National’s live radio audience has fallen by more than 25 percent. RNZ should be looking to the New Zealanders who have stopped listening for direction, not me.”
Just pull the plug, no more taxpayer funding.
Agree, defund the lot and leave it to private sector
More talk from Seymour defund them they are propaganda peddlers for the CCP causing division.
Give me someone like Philip Sherry who reported the news without spin.
Too arrogant to see that the whole lot in the beehive is responsible for “declining audience numbers and public confidence”, in broadcasting but also in participation in politics. When drastic laws and FT agreements are made in disagreement with vast % of voter sentiment, no bullshitician can seriously pretend to follow a mandate.
MSM propaganda machine is dead.
The lot in the beehive is dead too.
None of them realize it.
Too far up their own a*se.
Defund all “state” media
Well said Seymour.
Yes loving how bold and brave he is to speak out. Now get rid of the free gift to the left that are the Maori seats.
100% correct give us action not word salards.
Oh the irony. The mainstream of politics turning on the instrument of public control. Of course, the dilemma for the media is they can only say so much that’s flattering. When they try sugar coat what’s transparently odious, such as the sell out India trade “deal”, the public stops listening. That is to say, things have gotten so in NZ politics that nothing can disguise or excuse it anyone. Time to listen to what people want, you politicians or perhaps find something else to do with your time and let reformers take the reigns.
The problem stems from the covid lockdown and so-called vaccines.
Plenty of scientific information out there regarding the dangers of the various 2100 Versions of the vaccine. The death rates form the raw data Mr Barry Young provided the International experts to verify the existence of criminal activity.
You see people of sound mind who lives their lives choose their friends and places of work. They judge the actions of people, companies and organisations. RNZ and all state media have been dismissed on the grounds of bias and to be frank, manipulating and dishonesty . We don’t like liars, we hate cheats, and we certainly will not tune into news networks who are selective, politically motivated. Let’s not forget the 50 million (30 pieces of silver) given to these networks during lockdown. That was payment for thier deeds.
There was a time when only governments could afford to set up a television and radio networks. That time has fallen into history. Governments around the world are refusing to accept the reality we all have the ability to broadcast from our phones.
Attempts have been made by introducing laws called hate speech. They carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. Theses are mainly platforms who provide distribution, YouTube, social media, Telegram and just so many others including RCR.
Let me say, penalise the presenter won’t change the message, it wont change the truth.
“…with outgoing chair Jim Mather warning that political commentary linking board appointments to editorial direction risked undermining public trust.”
It’s incredible how lefty hacks can spend decades pushing leftist talking points through left wing TV and radio stations, supporting lefty candidates and lefty social causes and lefty school curriculums to the point where people would rather drive their cars in absolute silence than tune in… yet they shriek in indignation about “editorial independence” when someone from the other side comments on it.
Pot calling the kettle a hypocrite.
Seymour wants government-funded TV & Radio gone, with the same being replaced with a more friendly version of promoting Israel & Zionism.
After all, look at the J3wi$h constituency in Seymour’s electorate of Epsom and North Shore.
“…they control much of the media,..” – Late Jailed Congressman Jim Traficant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKydyiPvmZ4
John Hannity- a Shabbos Goy and possibly an ioperative in a mass psy-op,..!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xMzb-SvWcE