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MEDIA RELEASES
No fee means New Zealanders becoming strangers in their own broadcasting land
(20 May 1999)
Without the Broadcasting Fee, New Zealanders are becoming strangers in their own broadcasting land, according to the Screen Producers and Directors Association (SPADA).
'The Broadcasting Fee is a funding mechanism independent of political whim. No independent funding means the right of New Zealand television audiences to see a range of high quality stories about themselves and their country is compromised,' said SPADA chief executive, Jane Wrightson. 'What's worse, the Government has not even passed on the savings in collection costs, despite years of New Zealanders pleading for more funding for quality local programmes'.
'No other country treats its broadcasting system, its audiences and its culture with such disregard. New Zealanders have not been consulted about this policy change. It's time for New Zealanders to demand a comprehensive strategic review of television, so we can tell the politicians what we want', she said.
Ms Wrightson said that replacing the Public Broadcasting Fee with taxation money was a short-sighted election ploy, which could enable local television to revert to 1960s-style behind-the-scenes political control. 'Who trusts this so-called 'ring-fencing?' In the past, Governments have taken away supposedly ring-fenced money from superannuation and roading funds' she said.
"Given that the Government has already signalled its desire to reduce taxation progressively, it is impossible not to conclude that it intends to wash its hands of its responsibility, in a democracy, to provide New Zealanders with a range of quality local programmes she said.
"This is a tragedy for New Zealand audiences. Tinkering with the Fee will not address any of the current issues in local broadcasting, such as the level of advertising, the low levels of local content and the narrow range of programmes. In fact, it only creates more problems, including the likelihood of political interference, the issue being reduced to an election year football, reduced funding for local programmes and increased bureaucracy which wastes precious funds."
"The decision to scrap the Fee not only has major long-term implications on the local broadcasting industry, but on New Zealand culture and identity as a whole", Ms Wrightson said. Ends
For more information:
Jane Wrightson
Chief Executive
SPADA
Ph. (04) 802 4577 or 025 470 339
Jonathan Dowling
President
SPADA
09) 303 4788 or 025 580 085
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