June 07, 2015
Editorial independence questioned
Labour’s broadcasting spokesperson wants the Minister for Maori Development to seek assurances from Maori Television that editorial independence is not being compromised.
Clare Curran says the sudden resignation of Native Affairs front person Mihingarangi Forbes has exposed rifts within the publicly funded broadcaster.
She says it also raises questions about what Minister Te Ururoa Flavell discussed with MTS chief executive Paora Maxwell the day before a decision was made to axe a Native Affairs panel discussion about Whanau Ora .. . one of the incidents alleged to have triggered the award-wining broadcaster’s departure.
Ms Forbes is to join Radio New Zealand as specialist correspondent covering Maori affairs.
RNZ head of content Carol Hirschfeld, a former Maori Television executive, says she is a skilled investigative reporter who will significantly strengthen Radio New Zealand’s reportage on Maori issues and signal the organisation’s commitment in this area.
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