11. Question No. 11—Broadcasting and MediaMELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister for Broadcasting and MediaQuestion No. 11—Broadcasting and Media11. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: Does he stand by all the Government's views and actions regarding Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for Broadcasting and Media): Absolutely. In particular I would point the member to the Prime Minister's comments yesterday that the reforms are about valuing and protecting public media in New Zealand giving it the best possible chance of thriving and ensuring that all New Zealanders—young and old—can continue to access trusted news and information.Melissa Lee: How does the Minister expect New Zealanders to have confidence he will not interfere in the editorial independence of Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM) when according to Thomas Coughlan Jackson's repeated bizarre insinuations about editorial independence left viewers none the wiser on this point and raised serious questions about whether he had the capability to be the Minister of the entity he is so keen on creating."?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I can't make this any clearer: editorial independence is so vital. It's protected specifically in the legislation—clause 15(3). The Government's intent is that ANZPM should have extremely strong protections in relation to its editorial independence. If that member understands the importance of editorial independence she will understand that it's all about context sometimes—and I've already said that it was a misstep in the interview and I stand by that. Everyone makes mistakes even Mr Luxon.Melissa Lee: Has the Minister breached section 28(1)(c) of the Television New Zealand Act of 2003 that states "No shareholding Minister … may give a direction to TVNZ … or [any] employee of TVNZ … in respect of the gathering or presentation of news or the preparation or presentation of any current affairs programme or content." in respect of his TVNZ Q+A interview criticisms on 4 December 2022; and regardless how did the Minister's comment improve trust in ANZPM?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No.Melissa Lee: Who is correct: the Prime Minister who just told the House that TVNZ revenue is falling or public records which shows the TVNZ revenue has increased by "record" levels this year despite COVID restrictions?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: The Prime Minister is 100 percent correct. For the sake of the member opposite can I refer her to Television New Zealand's own statement of intent where in their own words they acknowledge declining revenue as a major risk. The undeniable fact is that linear advertising revenue has been declining globally for the last 10 years. Over the last decade TVNZ's operating revenue has steadily declined. In 2008 they made over $390 million; in 2020 it was $310 million. That makes the Prime Minister for the member 100 percent correct.Melissa Lee: What if anything does the Minister take from the fact that only 22 percent of New Zealanders are in favour of his ANZPM plans and that "New Zealanders are overwhelmingly opposed to the Government's plan to merge TVNZ and RNZ."?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: That was a Taxpayers' Union poll. I take comfort in the fact that there were 900 submitters and 60 to 70 percent of them support the merger.Melissa Lee: Point of order. I seek leave to table a series of minutes of the Strong Public Media establishment board for the new public media entity ANZPM released to my office under the Official Information Act.SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none; it can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."