HON STEVE MAHAREY, MINISTER OF BROADCASTING
21 November 2003
The government has reasserted the importance of public service broadcasting as part of the push to develop New Zealand’s national identity, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said today.
New Zealand and international broadcasters are meeting today at a conference in Wellington today to debate the future development of public service broadcasting in this country. It follows changes in recent years driven both by technology and government’s increased emphasis on the cultural and civic importance of broadcasting.
Steve Maharey said public broadcasters continue to have a vital place in New Zealand, but their needs to be much more debate about they should fulfil their mandate.
“The government regards audiences as citizens, not simply as consumers, and has reclaimed expected of it in most nation’s to ensure New Zealander’s diverse needs as citizens are met by broadcasters.
“The principles of public service broadcasting have been revitalised and placed at the heart of the government's broadcasting agenda. Those principles are:
“Public service broadcasting in the 21st century does not provide a haven for a nostalgic view of the past. Nor is it about producing ‘worthy but dull’ programming.
“In order to get the ‘mix’ right it’s important that we continue to foster a lively national conversation about how we want to see ourselves and our aspirations explored and portrayed. This conference has begun that conversation,” Steve Maharey said.
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Contact: Michael Gibbs, Press Secretary, (04) 471 9154 or (021) 270 9115, e-mail: michael.gibbs@parliament.govt.nz, www.beehive.govt.nz/maharey.
MINISTRY FOR CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Tuesday 4 November, 2003
The inaugural Public Broadcasting Conference - A New Future for Public Broadcasting - is set to lift the level of debate as to the best way forward for New Zealand broadcasting.
Over the two-day conference, a key line-up of international and New Zealand broadcasters will debate New Zealand's future in light of domestic challenges and overseas experience.
Presentations and in-depth discussions will cover such crucial issues as: In a 'mixed broadcasting economy', what in fact is the best mix? How can public broadcasting best be delivered? What is the role and importance of the public broadcaster? What options can, and should be, available for consumers, policy makers, broadcasters and producers in the 21st century?
The line-up of speakers includes: Greg Dyke, Director-General of the BBC, Bob Collins, Director-General, Irish National Broadcaster RTE; Tim Gardam, Director of Television, Channel 4; Michael Jackson, Chairman, Universal Television Group; Hon. Steve Maharey, Minister of Broadcasting; Ian Fraser, TVNZ; Dr Leonie Pihama, Maori Television Service; Hone Harawira, Iwi Radio; Sharon Crosbie, Radio New Zealand.
The conference will be held at the Hotel InterContinental, Wellington from Thursday 20 to Friday 21 November.
A New Future for Public Broadcasting is convened by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ On Air, Radio New Zealand, Television New Zealand, the Māori Television Service, Te Māngai Pāho and the New Zealand Broadcasting School.
A New Future for Public Broadcasting has been scheduled to immediately precede the SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association) Conference.
The complete conference programme, registration form, biographical details and further information are available from the website: www.newfuture.govt.nz
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Catriona Robertson
Senior Adviser, Media Communications
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Tel: 06 308 8852 / 021 243 2058
Email: mcmedia@xtra.co.nz
HON STEVE MAHAREY, MINISTER OF BROADCASTING
4 November 2003
Leading public broadcasters from around the world will join local speakers at a major conference on the future of public service broadcasting in New Zealand being held in Wellington later this month.
The international line-up for the New Future for Public Broadcasting conference is headed by BBC Director-General Greg Dyke, and also includes the Director-General of Irish National Broadcaster RTE, Bob Collins, Chairman of the Universal Television Group Michael Jackson and (UK) Channel 4's Director of Television Tim Gardam. The conference also includes presentations from New Zealand radio and television public service broadcasters and regulators. It is being held in Wellington on 20 and 21 November.
Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said the conference will be an important landmark in the future development of broadcasting in New Zealand.
"There have been major changes in the New Zealand public broadcasting environment in recent years, ranging from the introduction of TVNZ's charter and establishment of NiuFM (the nationwide Pacific radio network), to the development of the Maori Television Service and the consideration of how digital television technology should be introduced.
"Earlier this year the government asked the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to look at how the current public broadcasting system can contribute to development of New Zealand's national and cultural identities.
"I am delighted that major figures in the international public broadcasting community have agreed to participate in the conference.
"The international speakers will share with those attending how their organisations have responded to key issues New Zealand broadcasters are currently grappling with. For example:
"A diverse range of local speakers will discuss how they see their organisations evolving to deliver services to New Zealanders.
"This will be a working conference designed to give all those who want a say in the future shape of public broadcasting a chance to do so. It will encourage open, frank debate and, without relitigating the past, shape a robust, creative future for public service broadcasting in this country," Steve Maharey said.
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Contact: Michael Gibbs, Press Secretary, (04) 471 9154 or (021) 270 9115, e-mail: michael.gibbs@parliament.govt.nz, www.beehive.govt.nz/maharey.
Contact for interviews with overseas speakers: Catriona Robertson, for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, (06) 308 8852 or (021) 243 2058, e-mail: mcmedia@xtra.co.nz.