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March 17, 2022
Jackson puts career on line for Māori media
Claudette Hauiti
Posted On March 17, 2022
Download AudioMāori Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he’ll quit if the merger of Radio New Zealand and TVNZ doesn’t benefit Māori.
Some in Māori media have expressed fears the new mega-broadcaster will syphon resources, intellectual property and staff away from Māori radio, Whakaata Māori and independent production houses.
The former broadcaster and talkback host says he’s worked with Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi on the proposal.
“We want to see our people, hear our people in mainstream and that shouldn’t take anything away from what we do in terms of a Māori sense, in terms of Māori TV and Māori radio. This is going to be an and, and, not a ‘public media and see you later Māori broadcasting,’ I’d resign if that was the case because I didn’t support a public media structure for the death of Māori broadcasting. That’s just nonsense,” Mr Jackson says.
He says there will be additional support coming through the long-awaited Māori media sector review, which should be seen as the second part of the public media strategy, but he’s waiting for cabinet and budget approval before releasing it.
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