Dear NZ On Air,

In regards to establishing the 'General Guidelines' for the Public Interest Journalism Fund - can you please provide the following information:

1. All NZ On Air emails discussing the topic (including emails to and from the Minister for Broadcasting)

2. The names of all MSM applicants

2. All research (reports/legal advice) undertaken to ensure the 'Eligibility Criteria' is compliant with Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 1989:
Prohibition in relation to certain directions
Nothing in this Act or the Crown Entities Act 2004 authorises the Commission to give a direction to any person to whom the Commission has made funds available under section 36, in respect of the editorial content of a particular programme.'

Part of the Eligibility Criteria for the $55 million dollar funding is that 'every' applicant 'must' demonstrate a clear and obvious commitment or intent for commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

This appears to be a type of indirect directive in respect to editorial content. There are obvious dangers in Government agencies dictating editorial content and using the threat of either not providing or withdrawing funding to journalists and media organisations - if they do not comply with those directives.

It is an effective way to silence dissent.

NZ on Air has a legislative and moral duty to ensure that 'some' applicants demonstrate a clear and obvious commitment or intent for commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, dictating that 'all' applicants must demonstrate this - is an overreach of it's functions and a sign of political interference. The Act is clear in saying that the Minister may not give direction to cultural matters and may not control content.

44
Commission to have regard to Government policy
(1)
The Minister may not give a direction to the Commission in relation to cultural matters.
(1A)
The Minister shall ensure that at all material times the Minister has notified the Commission of the Government’s policies, and provided the Commission with an appropriate direction, in respect of the funding of Radio New Zealand Limited.
(2)
No responsible Minister or any other Minister, and no person acting by or on behalf of or at the direction of a responsible Minister or any other Minister, may give a direction in respect of—
(a) any programme or content; or
(b) the gathering or presentation of news or the preparation or presentation of any current affairs programme or content.

Yours faithfully,

Micky Turner

Dear Hilaire,

I am going to withdraw this request. This matter has been well traversed on social media & has been brought to the attention of the Broadcasting Minister..

Thanks for your time!

Take care :)

Cheers - Micky