Tributes, praise for axed TV3 show 3D

Paula Penfold and Samantha Hayes from 3D.

Fans of TV3's axed 3D have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the hard-hitting current affairs show, calling it a "sad day for journalism".

The half-hour current affairs show, fronted by Samantha Hayes and responsible for big news stories like Teina Pora being freed after 21 years in prison, was yesterday dumped by TV3.

The news follows a consultation period with staff, including reporters Paula Penfold, Melanie Reid, Natasha Utting and Michael Morrah, along with the producers and presenter Samantha Hayes.

The company is now "working with affected staff on redeployment opportunities," according to a statement.

"MediaWorks would like to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of the 3D team who have consistently produced outstanding work over a long period of time. We are all extremely proud of the way our current affairs teams are respected and admired by other media and the wider community and our challenge now is to explore new ways to deliver high quality investigative journalism."

The decision was been described as "a huge disappointment" by those working on the series.

Posting on Facebook, they wrote: "Most of us are long-serving employees of TV3, some have been with the company since it started more than 25 years ago. We have put everything into our work, often in stressful and dangerous circumstances, reporting on the people and issues that matter to New Zealand. While most of us are serving out our final days as employees of MediaWorks, we cannot comment further."

Fans and fellow reporters have been quick to lament the show's demise, calling it a "sad day" for investigative journalism.

@3D_TV3 @paulapenfold @SarahHallNZ Axing 3D is so wrong for many different reasons.Great journos, great cameras/editors, great team.

— Shannon Haunui-Thompson (@SHaunui) December 1, 2015

Feels for @3D_TV3 and all who work on it. The work they did will be missed. Sad day.

— Stu (@StuOld) December 1, 2015

Gutted for @3D_TV3 & for my amazing colleagues. The one positive in such times is reflecting on the amazing, inspiring work they've all done

— Lockdown Forsyth (@LachlanForsyth) December 1, 2015

Huge respect for @3D_TV3 and all they've achieved - for Teina Pora, Tania Billingsley, foreign workers, firefighters & so many more.

— Conor Whitten (@ConorWhittenTV) December 1, 2015

just learnt my colleague's / friend's show 3D has been axed. you are all best of the best.

— David Farrier (@davidfarrier) December 1, 2015

@paulapenfold @3D_TV3 I don't know how any broadcaster would NOT be thrilled to have people like you and Mel doing what they do best. xxx

— Michèle A'Court (@MicheleACourt) December 1, 2015

@paulapenfold @3D_TV3 Bless you Paula. My heart's breaking watching the best journalistic talent in this country being savaged & discarded!

— Amanda Millar (@MillarIAM) December 1, 2015

Sad day for investigative journalism in NZ. The @3D_TV3 team are such a huge inspiration.

— Briar Marbeck (@BriarMarbeck) December 1, 2015

Penfold also shared a hand-written note from Pora thanking her for helping his case.

Journalism. pic.twitter.com/HsymZO3KOE

— Paula Penfold (@paulapenfold) December 1, 2015

Monday night's episode of 3D attracted an audience of 118,000 viewers, aged 5+ and 63,000 viewers aged 25-54.

3D received $567,420 in NZ on Air funding to support 10 pieces of investigative journalism this year.

Staff were told in early November they had six days to come up with a way to save the show.

Penfold's recent Tweets suggested the show's future seemed dicey.

Ok you smart Twitter people who want journalism, it's about to air on @3D_TV3. And it's my last story so it'd be really kind if you watched

— Paula Penfold (@paulapenfold) November 30, 2015

Melanie Reid and I toasting 55 years of journalism. And that's just us two. @3D_TV3 pic.twitter.com/xYUTksELYi

— Paula Penfold (@paulapenfold) November 30, 2015

Originally called Third Degree, the current affairs series underwent a revamp this year, as the network attempted to stem falling ratings.

It was cut to 30 minutes and moved to Sunday nights at 6.30pm, then later to Monday nights at 9.30pm.

3D's small crew of journalists and producers played a key role in exposing the shoddy police investigation into the 1992 rape and murder of Susan Burdett.

MediaWorks has struggled with ratings across several of its programmes this year, including local versions of Masterchef and X Factor, which will not return next year.

Its news division underwent similar turmoil, with long-running current affairs programme Campbell Live shut down in May.

- nzherald.co.nz