Axing TV programmes slashes democratic ideals

Many people will now have heard about TVNZ’s proposal to slash jobs across News and Current Affairs, and to axe long-standing shows including Fair Go, Sunday, the Midday and Late News. 

These proposed cuts affect the jobs and livelihoods of 67 people working at TVNZ, but more than that they fundamentally undermine the ability of our public broadcaster to keep New Zealanders informed, to hold the powerful to account, and to have the public debates that we need to support a healthy democracy.

As a child growing up in the 1980s, I remember watching Fair Go as its team went in to bat for ordinary people who had been ripped off and ignored.

Fair Go shouldn’t go

Fair Go has given people a voice and forced changes to level the playing field for over 40 years. Similarly, the Sunday show has consistently produced some of New Zealand’s most powerful investigative journalism – exposing corruption, holding powerful figures to account, and helping to fix injustices.

In short, these shows have told our stories. By shining a light on the experiences of ordinary people they have made us all better informed and forced changes that have made New Zealand a better place.

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Now, they are on the chopping block. It is a real worry. With Newshub set to finish operating later this year, the combined impact will be a massive reduction in the ability of broadcast media in New Zealand to fulfil its democratic function and keep us as citizens informed.

TVNZ, along with other media platforms does face real challenges to remain financially sustainable. Many of us now turn to digital platforms for news and information and this has led to a significant reduction in advertising revenue for traditional media outlets.

TVNZ should adapt

It is clear that TVNZ needs to adapt to the times and use digital platforms to provide news and current affairs in the way that people want. The problem with this proposal is that it guts news and current affairs to such an extent that it just won’t have this content to offer.

For a public broadcaster with a fundamental duty to inform, and tell the stories of New Zealanders, this is a dereliction of duty. It also does not make any sense. The shows that TVNZ is proposing to cut are nearly all still profitable. To resolve a financial problem, TVNZ is proposing to cut programmes that make it money – go figure.

So, what is to be done?

Firstly, TVNZ should go back to the drawing board and work with their staff to develop a positive and sustainable plan for the future that includes news and current affairs. Secondly, the government needs to step up to the plate. Ensuring that broadcast media and particularly our public broadcaster continue to support our democracy through news and current affairs is a significant public policy issue.

Public support

The current framework is outdated and needs to change to put the sector on a more sustainable footing.

Thirdly, you can help. Journalists and staff at TVNZ are running the Save Our Stories campaign to show the public’s support for retaining these iconic shows. You can show your support by going to https://www.together.org.nz/save_our_stories and joining thousands of other Kiwis by adding your name to the open letter asking TVNZ to reconsider its position and work towards a better outcome.

Michael Wood is a former Labour MP and Minister. He currently works for Etū, the Union which is supporting the Save our Stories Campaign.