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Gareth Morgan promises to sell TVNZ in latest policy announcement

Author
Daniel Walker,
Publish Date
Tue, 7 Feb 2017, 12:47PM
Businessman Gareth Morgan wants to sell TVNZ. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Gareth Morgan promises to sell TVNZ in latest policy announcement

Author
Daniel Walker,
Publish Date
Tue, 7 Feb 2017, 12:47PM

UPDATED 6.35pm It could be the end for state broadcasting if Gareth Morgan is in charge.

His Opportunities Party policy released today promises to sell TVNZ.

Mr Morgan said the state broadcaster has become a commercial operation, and selling it would be the first step to restore an independent media.

He told reporters outside TVNZ's own headquarters that the money made from selling it would be put into funding journalism through NZ on Air.

"What the public wants is public good content. I'm trying to separate the content from the infrastructure," he said.

Asked if he would also consider selling Radio New Zealand on the same basis, Mr Morgan said "totally, in principle it is the same thing. It is content that matters." 

When asked to clarify whether "RNZ would also be up for sale", Mr Morgan said "that's a consistent line."

 

Dr Morgan told Larry Williams the interest of the public should be at the forefront of everything a state broadcaster does...but he doesn't believe that's the case with TVNZ.

He said radio stations are cheap to run in comparison, but he would run the same ruler over Radio New Zealand.

"Are the journalists of Radio New Zealand absolutely serving the public interest or are they finding themselves under pressure from private sector commentators?"

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