Newsreader backs call to save TVNZ

15th February 2006

By Natalie Bridges

Former top news reader and now Bay resident Philip Sherry today backed other prominent New Zealanders calling for Television New Zealand to slash advertising and adopt a fully publicly funded model.

Mr Sherry said he would not be tuning in to TVNZ again until the broadcaster recognised its responsibilities as a public body.

In an open letter to Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey, signed by 31 prominent New Zealanders, claimed TVNZ had been "hijacked and abused" by advertisers and the Government.

Television should "make a better contribution to our national life" and "radical change" was required, the letter said.

It called for TVNZ to become a "fully publicly funded broadcaster, similar to the BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The group was led by respected broadcaster Ian Johnstone, author James McNeish and the former vice-chancellor of Victoria University, Professor Les Holborow.

It included two former Governors-General - Sir Michael Hardie Boys and Dame Catherine Tizard - Sir Edmund Hillary, Dame Malvina Major and other dames and knights.

Mr Sherry, a councillor with Environment Bay of Plenty, told the ,i>Bay of Plenty Times he sympathised with the disgruntled TVNZ campaigners.

"I know what they're talking about and I understand their thoughts and feelings and regrets but there has to be an understanding that TVNZ's sole purpose is to generate income for its proprietor."

Mr Sherry believed the channel had denied is responsibilities as a public broadcaster for a long time and holds a total disregard for what the public wants to see on their screens. "It is not now and has not been for a very long time, a public service broadcaster. It reflects the standards of people who make the management decisions within that organisation.

"I think what the public wants is irrelevant and has been for a very long time - the public is expected to take what it's given, which is not part of the public service philosophy."

Mr Sherry no longer watches TVNZ and has been compelled to turn to other sources for information and entertainment.

"I have a great deal of experience in public broadcasting and I find very little interest in domestic television broadcasting. My news comes from Radio New Zealand and external sources. I don't watch domestic television, I don't watch TVNZ news.

"Is there a way back? Well, yes but that would require a lot of thinking from management."

Mr Sherry lamented TVNZ's failure to reflect the national identity and said until the public broadcasting body re-evaluated this essential part of its role, he would not be tuning in.

A fellow TV celebrity, Katikati actress and singer Mabel Wharekawa Burt, praised the campaigners for speaking out and believes decisions TVNZ makes are "budget related".