ICT policies to be debated online and on TVNZ 7

ICT policies to be debated online and on TVNZ 7
Media Release
3 September 2008

Broadcaster TVNZ 7 and Internet policy leader InternetNZ will make online history in New Zealand with a televised and streamed election debate on ICT issues featuring live webchat, polling and studio audience.

The TVNZ 7 Internet Debate in association with InternetNZ will begin at 9.10pm on the evening of September 23, live from Avalon Studios. The public can watch on Freeview or tvnz.co.nz, or can interact and watch the live stream at InternetNZ's website: www.debate.net.nz

The debate will feature Labour’s Minister of Communications Hon David Cunliffe, National ICT Spokesperson Hon Maurice Williamson, ACT Leader Rodney Hide and Greens ICT Spokesperson Metiria Turei.

Broadcaster Sean Plunket will moderate, with questions from experienced journalists Fran O’Sullivan and Russell Brown. The public will be able to participate in an online chat accessible from www.debate.net.nz, from which additional questions will be fed to the journalists.

TVNZ General Manager of Digital Services Eric Kearley is pleased to be able to work with InternetNZ to help increase awareness of ICT policy issues.

“TVNZ 7’s role as a public broadcast channel is to broaden public debate and we’re fortunate to be working with InternetNZ, a key advocate in addressing some of the most burning infrastructure issues in New Zealand. We’re excited about offering New Zealanders the opportunity to ask questions about the technology issues that impact on their lives and their businesses in a public and accessible forum.”

"This debate will demonstrate the power of the Internet to enable the public to be engaged in public debates," says InternetNZ director Keith Davidson. "Broadcasting and the Internet are converging, providing new opportunities."

Topic areas include broadband, convergence, copyright, open source software, cybersafety, online security, privacy online, digital divide and rural networks.

Prior to the debate, discussion of the topics is encouraged on the www.debate.net.nz website and in the Geekzone discussion forums at http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=95

ENDS

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