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Broadcasting (2005)

LABOUR'S VISION

BROADCASTING: IDENTITY, CULTURE & PARTNERSHIPS

Broadcasting has an important role to play in building communities and reflecting cultural identity.

Labour believes that the community, through the government, has an important role in broadcasting which we pursue through ownership of Television New Zealand (TVNZ) and Radio New Zealand (RNZ); promotion of New Zealand culture through television and radio and with funding from New Zealand on Air; balanced management and utilisation of spectrum; and support for niche broadcasters who meet the needs of particular parts of the community. The government must also ensure that communities can get the benefit of advances in broadcasting technology.

Labour has strongly promoted public broadcasting which reflects the lives and interests of all New Zealanders.

Labour also has a firm commitment to ensuring the balance and viability of commercial and non-commercial broadcasting, national and regional broadcasters, and of the screen production sector.

Labour will continue to ensure that cultural diversity and identity are celebrated and that we hear and see New Zealand stories and issues through the broadcast media.

LABOUR'S ACHIEVEMENTS

Labour has:

Introduced a Charter for TVNZ to develop its role as a public broadcaster to inform, entertain and educate New Zealanders;
Changed TVNZ’s structure to enable a shift from sole commercial objectives to public service broadcaster;
Provided funding to support the implementation of the TVNZ Charter;
Increased funding for NZ on Air television programmes to over $60 million per year;
Established the Mâori Television Service - broadcasting in Mâori and English;
Provided for additional and more diverse programming by increasing funding to Radio New Zealand and NZ on Air;
Provided funding and a framework for community, regional and Access broadcasting;
Developed a voluntary Code of Practice agreement with the Radio Broadcasters Association to ensure that commercial radio stations play at least 20 per cent New Zealand music by 2006. Annual target steps towards the 20 per cent are being consistently exceeded, with 20.3 per cent reached this year;
Funded the broadcast of National Radio on FM as well as on AM, giving more New Zealanders access;
Formed a Television Local Content Group including broadcasters, producers, NZ on Air and other officials with the aim of increasing the amount of local content screened on television;
Established a nationwide FM Pacific Radio Network.

LABOUR’S PRIORITIES

In our first and second terms, Labour has brought a public broadcasting dimension back to New Zealand television, and affirmed and strengthened public broadcasting in New Zealand radio. This supported Labour's high-level goals of promoting cultural identity.

Labour's primary broadcasting goal for its third term is to further strengthen New Zealand broadcasting to allow New Zealander's cultures to be reflected and to grow through the mediums of television and radio.

TELEVISION BROADCAST INDUSTRY

Labour will foster a healthy and diverse television broadcasting sector through:

Ensuring a balance of public and commercial television broadcasting;
Supporting New Zealand's screen production industry through continued funding of New Zealand on Air for contestable local television content;
Making spectrum available to television broadcasters in a balanced way that allows for commercial competition and at the same time enables niche and community broadcasters the opportunity to access available spectrum.

Television New Zealand

We are committed to supporting TVNZ, and making it a special part of the lives of all New Zealanders. Labour wants TVNZ to focus on delivering a balanced, quality broadcasting service for all New Zealanders.

Labour will:

Give substance to our commitment to public broadcasting through continued public ownership of TVNZ;
Update and revise the TVNZ Charter and implement specific quantitative and qualitative performance measures;
Work with TVNZ to implement more detailed reporting against these specific performance measures;
Provide financial support for TVNZ to implement the Charter.

RADIO BROADCAST INDUSTRY

Labour will continue to promote a healthy and diverse radio broadcasting sector through:

Ensuring a balance of public and commercial radio broadcasting;
Supporting New Zealand's music production industry through continued funding of New Zealand on Air for New Zealand music development;
Support of Access and community radio stations through provision of funding and non-commercial licences;
Continued support of local iwi radio stations.

Radio New Zealand

Radio New Zealand is an effective public broadcaster, operating within a well-established Charter. It plays an important role in informing and debating, as well as promoting New Zealand's cultural identity. We have provided increased support to RNZ to allow it to grow and expand its audience.

Labour will:

Give substance to our commitment to public broadcasting, in particular through continued public ownership of RNZ;
Work with RNZ to ensure that it provides a service for New Zealanders of all ages and background;
Review the RNZ Charter to ensure it contributes to RNZ keeping relevant to all New Zealanders;
Encourage RNZ to investigate further use of new media technologies such as the internet and digital broadcasting technology. Provide secure and strengthened support for the work of RNZ International.

NZ on Air

NZ on Air plays an important part in promoting New Zealand identity through the commissioning of a diverse range of programmes for broadcast on TV and radio, as well as supporting the production and broadcasting of New Zealand music. The Labour led government has provided certainty of funding for NZ on Air through increased government contributions.

Labour will:

Continue support for NZ on Air as a contestable funding pool for television programming;
Advance the development of the New Zealand music industry by continuing to support promotion of New Zealand music both at home and overseas.

Broadcasting Standards Authority

The BSA’s role as an independent crown entity is important to ensuring that complaints can be determined independently. The broadcasting environment is rapidly changing, however, and it is important that the BSA’s role remains relevant and effective.

Labour will explore the possibilities of the BSA adopting a wider role to encompass:

Guardianship of the principles of public broadcasting;
Promotion of public awareness and understanding of media;
Capacity to take account of wider broadcasting issues;
Research around principles, practice, and standards;
Collaborative formulation of codes and standards.

Community and Regional Broadcasting

While the TVNZ Charter promotes the broadcasting of programmes of interest to all New Zealanders, including in the regions, it is important that this is supplemented by vigorous community television and radio broadcasts such as those provided by Access radio and regional television stations.

Labour will:

Support the growth of regional and community broadcasting by providing funding and spectrum;
Encourage the growth of regional television in a manner that is relevant to the many communities and regions in New Zealand by funding through NZ on Air;
Investigate the possibility of supporting television services which reflect the growing Pacific Island and Asian cultures of New Zealand.

Maori Broadcasting

Labour is committed to the development of a sustainable Maori broadcasting environment which promotes Maori language and culture and provides a coordinated approach to Maori broadcasting.

Labour will:

Continue to support the Maori Television Service and iwi radio stations.

Pacific Peoples

Labour believes it is important that the languages and cultures of Pacific peoples are heard and seen to a greater extent on radio and television. The Labour-led government has worked hard to lay a foundation for this through the development of the Pacific Radio Trust, and the funding allocated for a nationwide Pacific Radio Network.

Labour will:

Continue to support and fund the development and operation of a national Pacific Radio Network;
Support the aims of Pacific radio to provide the opportunity for Pacific people from all around New Zealand to participate;
Support funding for regional Pacific radio stations, through NZ on Air;
Investigate opportunities to further reflect Pacific cultures in television broadcasting.

Local Content

Labour is committed to increasing the levels of local content on both television and radio. We recognise that increased levels of local content require partnerships between broadcasters, producers, government agencies, musicians and performers. The latest figures show that local content for New Zealand music has already reached the 20 per cent level targeted in the voluntary quota.

Labour will:

Work closely with commercial radio broadcasters on the Radio Code of Practice to ensure that the target of 20 per cent New Zealand music content on commercial radio continues to be met;
Work with commercial radio broadcasters on targets for New Zealand music content beyond 2006;
Develop ways of promoting the broadcasting of New Zealand music overseas through NZ on Air's Phase Five music plan;
Advance the partnerships with television and production industries to achieve an increased level of New Zealand content on television;
Investigate opportunities with the screen production industry for maximising promotion and sale of New Zealand television productions both at home and overseas.

Management of the Spectrum

Labour strongly believes that the management of broadcast spectrum rights must remain under government control in order to maximise the benefit of the spectrum for society as a whole, to ensure access to spectrum for public and community purposes and ensure a level playing field for commercial broadcasters. It is also important that there is certainty for broadcasters whose rights are due to expire in 2010.

Labour will:

Develop the non-commercial services identified as priorities in the 100-108 FM band;
Allocate or auction any remaining spectrum in the 100-108 FM band once priority needs have been fulfilled;
Offer holders of commercial broadcast spectrum rights the opportunity to renew that right for a further 20 years on fair market terms and conditions;
Ensure that spectrum space for non-commercial broadcasters and educational purposes is maintained in either AM or FM bands.

Digital Technology

The broadcasting world is facing major technological changes, in particular the use of digital technology on radio and television, allowing for more channels per spectrum space, interactivity and better quality of reception. While this offers enormous opportunities, the growth of this technology has not been without its difficulties as demonstrated by the demise of major digital providers overseas. The government must also ensure that the regulatory framework set for digital broadcasting allows for orderly development to proceed while ensuring access for all to the technology.

Labour will:

Work with television and radio broadcasters to ensure that digital technology broadcasting is developed in a way which guarantees access for all New Zealanders.
Put in place a timeline for the introduction of digital television and digital radio.

Radio Services for Young People

Labour is committed to supporting the provision of radio services for young people, and has reserved an FM frequency for this purpose. We will continue to investigate all options for providing these services.

Labour will:

Continue to support NZ on Air to fund the production of programmes targeting young people;
Work with commercial and non-commercial radio stations to ensure that these NZ on Air funded programmes are heard throughout New Zealand;
Support the growth of community generated youth-focused radio services which involve young people at all levels of their operation;
Monitor, in close consultation with young people, the provision of radio services for young people, including for children to ensure that young New Zealanders in all regions are able to hear programmes designed for them.

OTHER REGIONS +NORTHERN