June 29, 2015
No place for minister in ad gamble
Maori Development and Whanau Ora Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says he won’t interfere in Maori Television’s decision to run ads for gambling and junk food.
The channel has dropped a long-standing policy of steering clear of products that might cause social harm, with spokesperson Lana Simmons-Donaldson saying it has a refreshed strategy that focuses on prudent financial management.
She says ads for treat food, soft drink and gaming categories will bring in additional revenue, and Maori Television has advertised in those categories in the past.
Mr Flavell, who was last week grilled by opposition MPs over allegations he or his staff attempted to influence what went on the Native Affairs current affairs show, says as minister he has no role in the station’s operational detail or programming.
"There’s been some criticism of the fact that for example I don’t step in to stop the organisation from their advertising campaigns and possibly moving to get some money from a particular source. Well, you can’t have it both ways. On one hand you can’t argue that I had political interference and then ask me to interfere to do this, that, or the other thing
Meanwhile kaupapa Maori public health organisation Toi Tangata says international studies show television marketing makes populations fatter, especially if food and drink companies are allowed to target children.
Managing director Leonie Matoe says Maori Television should show leadership and exclude such ads from prime children viewing hours.
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