Good morning David, your OIA request has been received by RNZ.  A response
will be with you within the next 20 working days
Kind regards
Maggie hedge
OIA Co-ordinator RNZ

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Sent: Tuesday, 11 May 2021 8:41 AM
To: RNZ <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Process for choosing guests for
The Panel

Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,

The Panel on RNZ National on Friday evenings invites guests to give their
opinion on various topics. These guests often have no expertise on the
topics covered, may be biassed in their opinions, and may have been
invited to create controversy, eg Michelle Boag used to be a guest and has
had a quite controversial past, see
[1]https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/michelle-b....

RNZ also do not seem to advertise for guest spots, and do not disclose how
guests are chosen.

RNZ does seem to try to create some political balance, but not always (eg
the show on RNZ on May 9th with two right wing pundits, Ali Jones and
Brigitte Morten). Both of the hosts also appear to have pro business and
right wing views.

I do recognise that supposed experts are specially invited to discuss
matters by phone, but again these experts may have a specific point of
view that is not able to be disputed, which may be required to maintain
balance.

This FOI request is to clarify the way guests are chosen:

1. How does RNZ choose guests for the show? Do they advertise for guests?
Can anyone be chosen? Is there any selection criteria? Is an open process
followed which may be audited?
2. How does RNZ maintain balance, to ensure that extreme views of guests
are balanced?

Please provide documentation that shows the process that takes place when
choosing guests for the show.

Yours faithfully,

David Harton

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FYI request #15424 email]

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to Radio New Zealand Limited? If so, please contact us using this form:
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Kia ora David

 

In response to your request for information regarding the choice of guests
for "The Panel" I have received the following information :

 

"We have a list of regular panellists who have contributed to the show for
many years. This is regularly updated as we bring new panellists in. There
are a number of factors that come into play – how informed the person is,
their on air abilities, what specialist knowledge they might bring and
what they can contribute to the overall balance of the show.

 

There is no documentation for this process as it usually involves phone
calls.

 

We always strive for balance. The Panel is  an opinion based show where
issues are discussed from different perspectives and the host regularly
plays a devil's advocate style role to ensure the panellists views are
challenged."

 

We trust this information is off assistance to you. As we are required to
do, this message is to also advise you that our response to your request
can be referred to the Ombudsman’s Office for review under s 28 (3) of the
Official Information Act if you wish.

 

Kind regards

 

George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator

RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE

PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | [1]www.rnz.co.nz

DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]

 

[2]RNZ-logo-reo                                                                                               

 

 

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