October 30, 2018
Parr effect hampering radio reform
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says it’s politicians and broadcasters who will decide the future of Māori broadcasting, not bureaucrats.
The party’s broadcasting spokesperson, Jenny Marcroft, and Mr Jones have pushed back against plans by broadcast funding agency Te Māngai Pāho chief executive Larry Parr to reshape the sector, and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta has asked her ministry to review policy.
Mr Jones says New Zealand First is a great supporter of community radio, includng iwi radio.
"We’ve got absolutely no time for what Te Māngai Paho was trying to do, close down iwi radio. I've met Larry Parr several times but I've got to say he's not much of a retail salesman for the future of Māori media. He seems to have annoyed far too many people and once you have a chorus and a substantial body of annoyed and irritated people, no matter how flash your kaupapa is, it will flounder," he says.
Mr Jones says Māori radio is a good springboard for young people into media careers and for older people who want to give back to their communities.
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