The fantastic Facebook page Save Radio NZ – now numbering 12,700+ fans -
- just turned up this gem from Nat backbencher Jonathan Young…..
Dear Teresa Thanks for your email and views. I am a great fan of Radio New Zealand and feel the discussion and debate; as well as the attention to the arts and culture make it an iconic and important service to New Zealanders. I enjoy listening to it a number of hours each week.
I will seek a briefing from Hon Jonathan Coleman on the present status of things and discuss recent developments, as I normally sit on the Commerce Select committee where Radio NZ’s financial review is discussed, but was absent last week due to electorate commitments in New Plymouth.
Kind regards
Jonathan Young | Member of Parliament for New Plymouth
Perhaps the New Plymouth MP is a signal of wider disconent within the Government about the cuts proposed for Radio NZ? Coalition partner Peter Dunne was quick to express opposition.
I hope Jonathan Young can help persuade the other Jonathan when they have a wee chat that freeze-shrinking Radio NZ will not be supported by most NZers.
Even Grandma Herald agrees in an editorial today Little to gain from cost cuts at Radio NZ – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10627866
I hope there might be some Nats who join the Facebook-organised protest rapidly being organised for Parliament’s forecourt on Thursday lunchtime – http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=312651831782&topic=12312
Myself and some Labour colleagues intend to be there – though organisers note, the House is currently under urgency which makes timing a bit trickier.
Yes, go kick some butt!!!
A government funded organisation is asked by the Minister how it can be more efficient with its funding while the Gvnt is borrowing $240 million a week – yes?
Cuts to RNZ when it was 20% under-financed in 2007 doesn’t make sense. I say Double RNZ Budget.
Great to see this support for Radio NZ. We were discussing today and idly wondered if there is an effort by this government to dumb down our population with moves like interfering with Radio NZ and the chopping of community education. Not a great look and awful implications.
Re RNZ: Nats are nuts!
Sign of discontent in the regions, as well. When I was growing up there, a lot of dairy farms had NatRad on in the milking sheds and in the kitchen in the morning. Perhaps they have more choice of stations now, but still — these habits die hard.
L
[...] to … amount to exploitation are just plain wrong, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman. …Nats feeling pressure on Nat Radio? Red AlertI will seek a briefing from Hon Jonathan Coleman on the present status of things and … I hope [...]