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February 09, 2023
Media merger axing lost opportunity for Māori
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On February 9, 2023
Download AudioA Māori media manager says scrapping the merger of TVNZ with Radio New Zealand is a missed opportuntity,
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday and it was one of a number of controversial initiatives to be scrapped or delayed until after the election.
Iwi Communications Collective chair Jason Ake says opposition to the merger had been driven by industry players who don’t want competition.
“Their view was a taxpayer-funded merger pulling together both TVNZ and Radio New Zealand would provide an unfair competitive advantage to the state broadcaster. I think that’s extremeley unfortunate because when you look back and see how Māori have not been served by commercial media outlets, it’s a shame. It’s a missed oppournuty,” he says.
With the merger off he wants to see more focus on increasing funding for Māori media.
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