September 09, 2014
Mistrust fuels MTV firestorm
A Maori film and television group is blaming an environment of miscommunication in Maori Television for a political row that has blown up over restructuring plans.
The channel has rubbished claims by Te Tai Tokerau candidates Hone Harawira and Kelvin Davis that news and current affairs was under threat.
Nga Aho Whakaari chair Kim Muriwai says she got an assurance yesterday from chief executive Paora Maxwell that the planned restrcucturing would not spell the end of news programme Te Kaea or involve major staff reductions.
But she says her group has been concerned for some time that the mana and rangatiratanga of Maori and Kaupapa Maori in the screen industry and at Maori Television are being undermined.
She says an environment exists within MTS where miscommunication between management and staff is rife, leading to misinformation and political involvement.
Ms Muriwai says trust between management and staff needs to improve so the channel can focus on engaging as many people as possible in te reo and tikanga Maori through entertaining, innovative and informative programming.
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