Paul Henry breaches TVNZ’s own standards

Paul Henry, by his racist and bigoted comments, has breached a number of key planks of the TVNZ Charter which TVNZ is still bound by, Green Party broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

The TVNZ Charter was established in 2003. The TVNZ Charter was brought in to boost local programming and promote ‘public broadcasting’.

“The National Party is intent on getting rid of TVNZ’s Charter, but until such time as the legislation repealing it is passed in Parliament, the broadcaster is still bound by it,” said Ms Kedgley.

“Mr Henry’s comments breach the requirement in the Charter that TVNZ will 'promote understanding of the diversity of cultures making up the New Zealand population',” Ms Kedgley said.

“They also breach other sections – such as the requirement that TVNZ will provide ‘impartial, independent coverage and analysis of news and current affairs,’ and ‘feature programmes that contribute towards cultural development, and promote informed and many sided debate, and stimulate critical thought'.”

“Breakfast is New Zealand’s only morning current affairs programme, and Paul Henry’s bigoted comments breach the Charter requirement for impartial news and current affairs programmes.

“Given the seriousness of the breaches, the penalty of taking Mr Henry off air for two weeks seems inadequate,” Ms Kedgley said.

“TVNZ need to think about whether someone with Mr Henry’s track record should be fronting their morning current affairs show,” Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said.

“TVNZ need to think about whether their show really is news and current affairs or some sort of weird hybrid shock-jock format.

“If TVNZ is committed to providing a morning news and current affairs format then perhaps they should hire a journalist to front Breakfast.”

“Instead of promoting understanding of the diversity of cultures that make up the New Zealand population, Mr Henry is promoting racial and cultural disharmony.”

Ms Kedgley said “The whole sorry saga shows why we desperately need proper public service television in New Zealand,”

“If this is how TVNZ is behaving now, imagine what will happen when it is no longer bound by a public service Charter.”

Link to the TVNZ Charter:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvnz_story_skin/111535?format=html

ENDS

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