MICHAEL BASSETT: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED NOW OVER TV ONE
- Michael Bassett
- Feb 28, 2024
- 1 min read
With the news that TV 3 is soon to close its doors, the need for TV One to be brought up to a satisfactory standard has become urgent. In its current state, it is little more than a bulletin board for left-wing reporters and programmers who make up TV One’s staff.
Since it seems that Melissa Lee, the Broadcasting Minister, hasn’t spoken to TV One’s Chief Executive, or if she has, the CEO has no intention of taking any notice, it is to the Prime Minister that our desire for an improvement in journalistic standards should be directed.
Not only that, TV One also needs an influx of more professional reporters. Moving the hopelessly woke John Campbell off into retirement would be a positive start, and giving all the reporters a stern talking to about modern journalistic requirements is fundamental.
And, while the Prime Minister is about it, Radio New Zealand needs a tune-up as well. It suffers from some of the same failures in professional conduct as TV One.
Since it looks like we, the watching and listening public, are to be largely dependent on state media outlets after 30 June, NOW is an opportune time for the shake-up to begin. If it starts now, we could be ready with a refreshed broadcasting service by the time TV 3 departs the scene.
The two people to approach are:
The best fix in my eyes is to put all the current taxpayer funded media up for sale.
That way if anyone wants to buy them they can have a grand cleanout of the staff and keep only the useful ones.
If no one wants to buy them then shut them down
Who watches TVNZ or Newshub? Only under sufferance when there’s a national emergency or a big event like an election when I grit my teeth at their bias and subjective analysis. I think we are waking up to their political manipulation. NZ On Air’s 2021 survey shows SVOD (selective video on demand) and podcasts growing and just 41% watching TVNZ - and that was during Covid when people were trapped at home. So many good websites for objective, factual reporting and discussion for those who want it and since Elon took over Twitter it’s a fabulous resource. Let Stuff and TVNZ die a natural death. They did it to themselves.
In the words of Bob Dylan "the times they are a changing", Dinosaurs went extinct. With our ready access to the net and thousands of alternative information sites, traditional broadcasters are sure to follow..... all of them. The days of wannabe celebs presenting generally day old world news, and puerile colloquial rubbish are over. We, the people, choose where, how and what we now watch/read/believe. The death throes of a dying industry, no amount of government bribery/largess and ill disguised support by way of hugely sponsored advertising "I wish I was a twin" and "just the little one today" etc, will save it. I sure as hell won't miss TV3 as I suspect most informed Kiwis won't. In a years…