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 his statements and actions regarding the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for Broadcasting and Media): Yes absolutely.Hon David Bennett: Don't read it Willy!Hon WILLIE JACKSON: No I have to read it just for your head! In particular I stand by my remarks made in the House for the bill's first reading about why it's so important we create a new public media entity.Simeon Brown: Tell us why!Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Well I'm quite happy to do that. What I said then was that The creation of this new [organisation] will strengthen the delivery of New Zealand's public media services for future generations. That's our key objective: that public media in Aotearoa New Zealand is strong and that it endures. With increasing levels of misinformation around the world a rapidly changing media landscape and declining commercial revenues projected New Zealand needs strong independent public media more than ever. It is critical to the functioning of a healthy democracy. We need a public media entity that can inform entertain and educate in a uniquely Kiwi manner. We need strong independent journalism that holds Government and those in power to account. We need all the people and voices of Aotearoa to be represented not just on our screens but in the [production and] development … of our public media content … We need a public media entity with the flexibility to meet audiences where they are utilising the platforms New Zealanders are choosing. We need a sustainable funding model that ensures our public media doesn't just survive but can thrive in its pursuit of public media outcomes. [And we need public media to play its part in strengthening our wider media sector.] This bill provides a foundation to deliver exactly that. It will create Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media [that] builds on the best of RNZ … and TVNZ." I stand by all my comments and views and opinions on this very important kaupapa.SPEAKER: That answer was far too long and so I will award Melissa Lee with two extra supplementary questions to examine the total totality of the answer that the Minister has given.Melissa Lee: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does the Minister think that concerns raised by Stuff CEO Sinead Boucher that the merger is a—and I quote—"very serious threat to our viability and the viability of the rest of the industry" and an example of—and I quote—"utterly misplaced hysteria." in the Minister's own words?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I respect Sinead very much; I actually met with her. But I think she's worrying a little too much. The key for her and for other players in the media with respect are partnerships—that's what this is built on. If the market's going to work it will need Stuff to partner up with others. This will I think allay her worries and her problems. The entity must not and should not overwhelm smaller media entities like Stuff. Stuff needs to work in tandem with other groups with other newspapers with other media outlets with Māori media and with Pacific media. By doing that they can address some of the worries that she has in terms of the market. This is about partnership. This is about collaboration. Collaboration is built into the entity in terms of its future and in terms of how it progresses business.Melissa Lee: Does the Minister stand by his statement regarding whether future a Government will direct the new public broadcaster for political purposes that—and I quote—"there is always a risk." and if so is he now conceding the Government's legislation is in fact flawed and is at risk of political interference?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Absolutely not. But there would be a problem of course if there was a National Party Government because as we all know they have a record of interfering in terms of what's happening in society. The editorial side is very clear—very very clear: any Minister cannot interfere—clause 15(3) have a look all you members; clause 15 is very clear—into the day-to-day workings of the entity. You cannot direct the entity—Hon Paul Goldsmith: Except their policies.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: In terms of policy Mr Goldsmith the Government can advise what Government policy is. We may have a policy on gender equity. Of course we can celebrate gender equity over here; you cannot—the Opposition cannot. We'll be celebrating that next week.SPEAKER: Yeah I'm probably doing the Government side a favour by sitting you down.Melissa Lee: How can the Minister justify his statement and I quote "There is no way we'll be telling editors how to run their news." when he also makes it clear he will require a change of culture; is this not explicitly telling them how to run their organisations which affects their editorial independence? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Not at all—not at all. In fact I was talking to Simon Power about this just the other day and he and I are in full agreement that there can't be any direct interference. In terms of the culture we're talking about bringing a commercial entity and a non-commercial entity together. That's going to require an adjustment. If you don't like the word "culture" let's talk "adjustment"—just for the National Party. That's going to require an adjustment and obviously commercial / non-commercial entities are going to have to work through their processes. I'm looking forward to that and I think we're all on song—RNZ and TVNZ.Melissa Lee: Does the Minister stand by his statement and I quote "I stand by the sentiment of what I said." in relation to his comments on 28 September that "We no longer have trust in national media. No longer is there trust in what's happening at a national media level. … We need a trusted public broadcaster"; so which part of that answer is he standing by?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: As I clarified in the House a week or two back of course I stand by the sentiment that the public are losing faith. We do have trusted media; they're called RNZ and TVNZ. But we also have reducing audiences. The audiences are diminishing. So we have to set up a new entity a new public media entity that recognises what's happening in New Zealand. Our people want to see themselves hear themselves—Māori Pasifika and Asian—and that member should know that better than anyone.Melissa Lee: Why did the Minister choose not to front on TV3's The Nation on his plan for the merger and instead dispatch former Government Minister Tracey Martin who also failed to explain why this Government is wasting $370 million on this merger?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Tracey did a brilliant job and I will be fronting on the different TV shows after the select committee gives its report back. You must allow process to take its course.Melissa Lee: Was it his decision not to front the programme or was it the Prime Minister's office?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Well no it was my decision—it was my decision. I know the National Party wants to jump on TV all the time but you've got a select committee process running. I assure that member I've done many interviews and there'll be many interviews coming. Don't worry about that."